Today, April 8, is International Feng Shui Awareness Day. So don your party hats and drink green beer! Actually, that's not what celebrants are likely to do, but a little appreciation of this little known "holiday" might be in order.
In ancient times, feng shui (pronounced fung shway), this Asian art of placement, was known as Kan-Yu. Although I can't translate Chinese, it apparently means "the law of heaven and earth." To truly understand the principles of this art/science would take a lifetime (or a least many years of dedication). Basically, using the system of feng shui promotes well-being (physical, mental, spiritual) and personal success through the placement of property (your home) and your furnishings (what's inside your home). Since very few of us are actually buying land and siting a home's position, hiring a builder, and a feng shui practitioner, it can be a little daunting to adopt the ancient methods of bringing our natural world and our pre-built rental into balance. Taking the time for deeper investigation into feng shui you will discover it's roots in agricultural planning, space, geomagnetism, weather, numerology, astronomy, and astrology. Much more than you can accomplish in a little weekend reading.
I've done a fair amount of reading on the subject, and by all mean I'm no expert, but I do have some ideas for easy ways to improve your environment at home.
1. Clear clutter. How many time of you heard that? Well, it works. Donate or recycle what you no longer use. Holding on to something literally holds your attention, and you want to free your attention for other things (your career, relationships, health). Try not to buy things that you will need temporarily. Try to buy things that you love and are willing to keep for a very long time.
2. Make the entrance to your home or apartment as inviting and clear as possible. Steps should safe and clear. Your doors should open easily without squeaks or effort. Doors should open all the way without obstructions behind them (shoes, coat rack, etc.). Passageways, halls, and entries and foyers should be clean and tidy. An inviting photo or piece of artwork in an entry is a nice feature. Also, taking shoes off before you enter your home or tidily thereafter keeps the outdoors out (no sense in bringing in the dirty urban world on the bottoms of your shoes).
3. Furniture in every room should be exceedingly easy to navigate around. If you're stubbing your toe, or banging your head or knee on something you've obviously got to make changes. Pay close attention to more subtle obstructions; e.g. stepping over the dog's bowl, reaching for something to high or too low, sidestepping an ottoman. Imagine your home as if a river were flowing through it, anywhere the flow of water encounteres obstruction, rapids or swirls of stalled flow would occur, right? Small changes can be immediately felt on a conscious level.
4. Sleep in natural goodness. Your sleepware and your bedding should be cotton or some other natural fiber. Many mattresses have a layer of polyfill (polyester batting) on top to give a quilted appearance. Use a wool, silk, or cotton mattress pad (make sure it's machine washable--do not dryclean bedding) to put a layer of natural goodness between you and your bed. Look closely at your "space-age" foam pads. Latex does come from natural sources (and it's a great antimicrobial), but it can be produced synthetically. Again, if your astronaut-proven mattress is synthetic, put a natural barrier between you and it. Buy only 100% cotton sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, etc. Wash them frequently (they'll get even softer). If you have allergies, seek out natural alternatives to wool and down; some now are made from corn fiber and various tree fibers. And, finally, don't use the space under your bed for storage--keep it clear for air to circulate.
So don't party too hearty on this Feng Shui Day, but do try to make some improvements around your home and you'll realize the rewards of this system of harmonious living.
Comments