A clear understanding of Feng Shui basics will help you benefit greatly as you expand and enhance your life using this marvelous and ancient art that helps you create beautiful and effective living spaces. This article is designed to give you a solid understanding of two important concepts that compose the heart of Feng Shui. There are more, but these are a good beginning.
The first concept to clearly understand is the definition of Chi, sometimes spelled Ch'i or qi. Think of Chi in a broad sense, as the vital life force or energy that moves in and through all things. Chi can be thought of as the energy contained within your body (human), as well as the energy flowing throughout your immediate environment (earth) and the universe at large (heaven). This may not be the purest definition, as the word "Chi" has not been successfully translated into other languages, but it is one that has gained in popularity and acceptance in recent years, especially in the West.
In Chinese medicine if an imbalance occurs in one's body, Chi is blocked and unable to move without restriction, as it would in a healthy person. When this happens, it is likely that an illness is developing in the person or there may be other manifestations such as chronic fatigue, headache or other weakened condition.
The ideal state is a healthy flow of Chi, both within a person and throughout one's immediate environment.
Feng Shui strives for balance and harmony, and is often referred to as the art of harmonious design. When practiced, Feng Shui principles diligently promote and enhance the flow of Chi, which is necessary for vital and healthy environments.
The second concept to gain an understanding of is yin and yang. Chi and all that exists have yin and yang qualities. In Chinese thought, there is nothing that exists that does not have a portion of yin energy, or a portion of yang energy, as the famous Tai Chi symbol so clearly illustrates. Feng Shui strives to create a balance of yin and yang energies in living environments.
Feng Shui recognizes and honors the yin and yang present in all things. Yin and yang can be thought of as breathing. You must breathe in, in order to breathe out. They are the necessary opposites of life, and yet they are not opposing forces, rather they complement and complete one another in every way. Male is yang...female is yin. Light is yang...dark is yin. Yang is warmth and heat...yin is cool and coldness. Even the seasons of the year embody different qualities of yin and yang, in different measure.
In the minds of the ancients, there was little if any separation between the categories of human, earth and heaven, as yin and yang qualities and energies flow continuously in and through all three realms.
Over centuries of study and observation, the essential thought of Feng Shui was formed - a practice born to improve the conditions and quality of life by recognizing the qualities of these energies and how to work with them for desired results. Results such as better health, improving wealth flows, strengthening family ties and building a solid reputation and career.
For example, if your bedroom is overly bright or decorated predominantly with yang objects and colors you may find it hard to get the rest you need. Perhaps the living room where you entertain guests is filled with too much yin influence. If this is the case, your parties may not be as lively as you'd like them to be! This is where a working knowledge of Feng Shui can help remedy imbalances of yin and yang in immediate living spaces.
I look forward to sharing more Feng Shui basics information with you in future articles. I hope you have a clearer understanding of Feng Shui, and will continue to pursue information on the subject and put it into practice in your own life.
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