Feng shui
According to Chinese thought, the universe is a vast oneness, a great unity.
The Chinese realised that everything is dependent upon everything else,
and that harmony is the basic principle of existence.
There is no dependence or independence in the universe,
but only interdependence.
The universe is a vast tapestry in which every star, every creature,
every rock, and every drop of water is an essential thread
helping to hold all the other threads together.
This oneness of all that exists is called 'tao'.
This tapestry that is called tao has
a peculiar characteristic.
Its threads are always moving, adjusting and changing their relationships.
Change is the only constant in the tao.
But in all this ceaseless change, the harmony of the threads is maintained.
The tao, like a tapestry, cannot be separated into its individual threads,
otherwise the oneness would be lost, the harmony destroyed.
(John Lash)
Wind & water
Feng shui means wind & water.
It is the ancient Chinese art of
environmental design and placement.
Feng shui seeks to bring the harmony of nature into our homes, our wardrobes, our appearance and our lives.
Balancing qi
Whereas
tai chi and acupuncture modify and balance
qi
within the body, feng shui balances the qi in your surroundings.
A person's home and workplace expresses their physical, psychological and
spiritual condition.
Understanding how the qualities and the flow of energy in personal spaces
affects your mood and mental state can lead to creating a more harmonious,
nurturing environment.
Remove clutter
A cluttered physical space
prevents movement and makes it difficult to find things.
Being organised reduces
stress.
If possessions can be given a home they will be easy to locate when you look
for them.
It is not necessary to be austere; discover what suits you.
Rounded and organic
Tao
is concerned with things that grow.
A living space needs living things, greenery, light and air.
If we separate our lives from nature we become unhealthy.
Feng shui hides corners and removes harsh angles.
Elegant and simple
Natural, simple things are
favoured by feng shui.
Elegance lies in the small details.
Taking something away can often be more significant than an addition.
Colour
The use of colour is very
important.
Colours can make a person feel cheerful, depressed or restful.
We should consider how we decorate our living space whether at work or at
home because it will affect our mood.
The colour of furniture, clothing or make-up should be in harmony with our
appearance and taste.
Asymmetry
Eastern art is not concerned
with symmetry of form; it prefers the irregular asymmetry of nature.
It is not necessary to live in an empty, barren house with
just a rock on the table.
Your living space can be quite untidy in appearance providing it has a
quality of naturalness, of space, of harmony.
Japanese flower arrangers carefully select certain flowers, place them in
the most appropriate position and then tousle the arrangement.
This final touch is the most important of all.
Nature is not symmetrical and straight; it curves and flows.
Without this inexpressible naturalness, something is missing.
Tai chi itself cannot be too stiff and regular; it must have some
sloppiness.
Being happy
Feng shui is about making the
most of space, light, colour and qi.
It is not about bonsai trees, Chinese ornaments or rocks.
Ultimately, only you know what makes you
happy and relaxed.
Mysticism
Feng shui is not
some kind of mysticism.
Many books regarding the subject speak about 'luck' and 'good fortune';
which are superstitious concepts.
Such beliefs simply detract from the real purpose of feng shui; which is
simplicity and natural harmony.
Page created 5 October 2000