FENG SHUI

WHAT IS IT?

A simple definition of feng shui is that it is the study of how humans intaract with their environment. More specifically feng shui is all about creating an atmosphere in buildings in which the people who use them can best succeed. Feng shui is based on the premise that human beings contain and are surrounded by a subtle field of electro magnetic energy known as chi in China. This can be photographed using Kirilian Photography and looks like a multi coloured gas flame around any living creature. In humans the colour and shape changes depending on emotional responses, so this energy can be said to contain some of a person's emotional energy.

In China this energy is called chi and chi is widely used in most traditional oriental humanistic pursuits; including acupuncture, chi gong, shiatsu, reiki, martial arts and feng shui. The idea in feng shui is that each building has its own atmospheric chi and that this energy will influence the chi energy field around the human body. Once a person interacts with the energy of a building he or she will begin to feel different.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The principle behind feng shui is that your own chi carries your thoughts and emotions around and through your body and that if something changes your chi you will find that you feel and think differently. Each building has its own atmosphere and this energy will influence your own chi energy field. For example you will feel different standing in a large empty cathedral and sitting in a small crowded cafe.

The aim of modern feng shui is to create buildings in which people will be able to best succeed in that environment. Therefore the only question a feng shui consultant will be interested in is how will people who use the space feel whilst they are there and what kind of human feelings will best help each person succeed.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

When using feng shui it is helpful to know what you want from life, what you could change about yourself to achieve it more easily and then how you can set up your home or work space so that you feel better able to make those changes. For example if you wanted to get a promotion but felt you needed to be more outgoing and expressive to achieve that you would need to set up the spaces you spent most time so that the atmosphere brought out those aspects of your character more. In this feng shui example bright colours, mirrors, plants, up lighting and sunshine would help.

In addition to looking at the way people react with their buildings feng shui examines the relationship between buildings and theIr environment. The way a building is exposed to sunlight is a prime factor as the sun's solar radiation alters the atmosphere in different parts of a building. The local terrain, water, earth's magnetic field, earth energies and nearby buildings will all contribute to defining how a new building can best harmonise with its environment and harness this to improve the internal feng shui atmosphere.

FENG SHUI AT WORK

To give people the best opportunity to fulfil their potential it is important to look at the kind of work that is done and think through what atmosphere would encourage the kind of emotions that bring success. For example someone who is dealing with complaints will need to be patient, sensitive, diplomatic and understanding. So here a softer feng shui work environment with pastel colours and curved forms would be ideal.

Office environments can be set up so that people feel empowered and best able to master the work required. Most important in this situation is the seating position relative to the room. Feng shui principles suggest staff would sit facing into the room in a way that he or she can see the door to the office and any windows. This means most of what is happening in an office is going on in front of the person and he or she can feel protect from behind by a wall.

POLLUTION, EMF AND NOISE

Potentially toxic fumes given of by the synthetic surface materials and paints often pollute the modern office. In addition the electronic equipment, computers, fax machines, copiers, tend to emit electro magnetic fields and this makes it harder to maintain good health and concentration from a feng shui perspective. One way to combat office pollution is to fill the space with plants. Healthy plants will clean the air and reduce the influence of the electrical equipment. In addition plants have excellent properties for reducing sound.

Back to the Top