Feng Shui - Chi - Energy

A good Feng Shui is synonymous with good sitting, structure, flow, and most importantly of all, harmony and balance. Feng Shui takes the concepts of successful architecture and interior design, and enriches them with a special quality that is based on an adherence to three interlinked and universal principles. The first principle deals with Chi, an energy that creates and permeates everything in the universe. The second principle is the balancing of the complementary forces of Yin and Yang. The third principle is the theory of the five elements.

Chi is prana to the indus, spiritus to Catholics, neuma to the Greeks, ruah to the 

Hebrews. This life force energy is carried by currents of Feng (wind) and Shui (water). Rain, snow hurricanes, tornadoes and sunlight bring Chi to the earth from the cosmos, while the earth releases it in the form of wave action, natural springs, geiysers, volcanoes and eqarth quakes. The earth gives signals about its supply of Chi. 

If vegetation is lush, the surface has abundant Chi; where the land is dry and cracked, Chi resides deep within the earth and is harder to access.

                                               

Chi is an energy which animates the cosmos - it is the stuff of the universe. In Chinese belief, the universe consists of an environment of energy which envelopes and permeates everything within it, from the tiniest sub-atomic particle to the vastest galaxy - everything in existence is generated, perpetuated and linked by Chi.

In good Feng Shui, the Chi in our environment should be balanced and encouraged to flow freely and effortlessly, like fresh air. A lot of Feng Shui is concerned with ensuring that Chi does not get stuck, stagnant, depleted or too concentrated.

Most Chi enters and leaves rooms through doors and windows (even when closed). Imagine how air flows around your home, or how water would move, if it were to flow through your house. This gives you some idea about how Chi flows, where it gets stuck and where it doesn't easily reach. 'Difficult' spots are narrow corridors, awkward corners, areas where you have to squeeze past furniture and other nooks and crannies - maybe the parts of your home that get cleaned least often. Rearranging your furniture and personal affects is the key to changing the flow of Chi in your home. Look around your home and decide where you need Chi enhanced or inhibited.

We can enhance Chi by                               We can inhibit Chi by

pathways                                                         walls

windows                                                          closed doors

open space                                                     clutter

light                                                                 dark

comfortable temperatures                                extremes of heat or cold

circles, curves & undulating lines                   corners, triangles

wind-sensitive objects                                     straight lines

bubbling water                                                 lack of movement

To experience Chi, try this simple exercise to feel the Chi in your own body -Rub your palms together vigorously for 15 seconds. Relax and place your hands with palms facing, 6 inches apart, at navel level, 6 inches away from your body. You will feel a faint 'magnetic pull' and maybe heat or cold between your palms. Play with this energy by slowly moving your palms closer and further apart.

Chi is like air and when it meets water, instead of blowing away, the water holds it. If the water has a gentle flow, it will embrace, or hold the Chi, but if it moves too fast, the Chi is flushed away and dispersed.

Since water is also associated with emotions, favourable Water Feng Shui can provide us with inspiration and tranquility. The river may meanders along for long distances and consists of endless soft curves, like a long serpent, distributing the beneficial Chi along every inch. At such a place we feel inspired, uplifted and at peace, the result of the water's energy being absorbed by the Earth and transmitted to those fortunate enough to be sitting there.

Water is also evaluated by it's shape, which determines what additional element is attached to the water. Some may find it odd, that water could be assigned another of the 5 Elements, or 5 Phases, but since Form School focusses on shape and form, this is quite logical. Not all Water is the same and we therefore need a system to differentiate one type of water, from another and this is why we consider it's "shape".

Many martial arts and health systems, such as acupuncture, are based on the manipulation of the Chi within our bodies.

Feng Shui - Chakra & Aura

Feng Shui is the balanced flow of Chi which is classified as yang and yin.  The universe is a balance of these complementary yet opposing forces, each having their own attributes and magnetic fields of energy, but neither can exist alone. Yang can be briefly described as active and yin as passive. The easiest energies to recognize are sun, water and wind. The colours are the physical manifestations of sun energy discussed earlier.

Regulation of light helps greatly in achieving the Chi (energy) balance. Care is taken to protect areas against stagnation (dark corners or areas devoid of circulation of air) as well as curbing fast moving Chi.

Central part of the area should be allowed the free movement of Chi.  Entrance, hallways and corridors are to be kept lighted in the same way. Remedying the imbalance by prescribing changes that are pleasant, agreeable and fits well in the overall arrangement have been found effective for home-office, offices and factories.

Yang energy objects are crystals, wind chimes, mirrors, mobiles, flowers, wall clocks, computer, light fixtures and electrical gadgets including TV and AC. Generally speaking, the rest areas, like bedrooms should be yin energy oriented i.e. soft light.  Activity areas like drawing and dining are required to be yang energy oriented i.e. bright light. Light lamps giving direct, indirect and diffused light are used for different areas. Dimmer switch lights come handy in changing the Chi level as per its use at any given time. While adding artificial light, be careful to avoid glare.

Chi flows through the human body along the energy lines known as meridians and concentrated on seven energy centres or chakras.

1.     Crown chakra is located at the top of the head controls our destiny and our brain and it can be energized by purple colour. 2.     Brow chakra relates to inuition and insight and relates well with indigo colour. 3.     Throat chakra relates to creativity and goes well with blue colour. 4.     Heart chakra receive positive vibration from green colour, promoting love and being well physically and emotionally. 5.     Solar plexus or will chakra is identified with yellow colour, controlling health of liver related organs as well as attributes like intellect and will.  6.     Social chakra, below the navel deals with lower intestines and lower back and resonates well with orange colour. 7.       Survival charka controlling genitals and lower parts of the body. It relates to money and can be energised by colour red.

 

Most importantly, like every object, our personal Chi (aura) is not confined to the body but extends 12 inches or even more outside the body, and varies from person to person. 

Energising the chakras using meditation and relaxation techniques helps greatly in expansion of aura. 

Feng Shui regulates Chi in harmony with nature through achieving balance of Yang and yin, and increases the limit of the personal aura.

Radiation of Chi from Objects:

Secret Poison Arrows:

When the unobstructed Chi moves in an straight line from a pointed structure i.e. 90 degrees or less, it is negative energy or Chi and causes immense harm.  Basically, anything sharp, angled or pointed or straight, contain secret poison arroas, and when directed at your front door, they cause misfortune, ill-health, loss of opportunities, severe difficulties in business, quarrels, a continuous series of problems, loss of money and what not.

Be defensive, protect your main door and your building from such secret poison arrows.