Feng Shui Articles & Tips

Feng Shui Articles & Tips

by Dolores Kozielski

Feng Shui Articles Published Feng Shui Articles

Feng Shui Tips I Ching

Learn about Chinese Astrology

Feng Shui Articles

10 Feng Shui Tips to Sell Your Home

Feng Shui your Closet Clutter

Feng Shui and Real Estate--The Perfect Couple

Feng Shui The Real Estate of Your Dreams

Feng Shui, Simply Divine

Feng Shuiing Your Refrigerator

How Feng Shui, Cardiomyopathy & Meditation

Helped Me To Overcome Cancer

The Dorje and Tibetan Prayer Bell

Om Mani Pad Me Hum-- The Jewel Is In The Lotus

The Red Envelope

5 Stress Reducers

Published Articles by Dolores Kozielski

Feng Shui Tips

Year of the eath rat February 7, 2008

chinapage Chinese classical art calligraphy & more.

This web site, FengShuiWrite, has won the 2005 Top Spiritual Site Award by Ami Lui, Junior Editor of Spirit and Sky

Feng Shuiing Your Refrigerator

clip art icon of a refrigerator

By Dolores Kozielski

When Feng Shui was devised, thousands of years ago, refrigerators were nonexistent. People kept things cold in the snow or in the coolness of caves. Back then, Feng Shui focused on keeping a fire-area or stove clean; the fire-area or stove was the clan or family’s wealth. But today, because of modern technology, a refrigerator now plays a significant roll in Feng Shui and It is just as important, I believe, as the stove; it signifies your health.

In 1748, the first known artificial refrigeration was discovered. So, only in the last 256 years have refrigerators become the utmost of importance in our society. Refrigerators, as we know them today, with sections for frozen food and chilled food, were introduced and mass-produced by General Electric, back in 1939. In the 1950's through the '70's manufacturers where not far off the mark and Feng Shui correct, when they introduced many different colors for refrigerators. For those of us who remember, turquoise blue and petal pink, avocado green, harvest gold or coppertone, we will be giving away our age. Unless you have a custom made refrigerator, they are usually white, bisque, (an almond color) black, the same wood facade to match the cabinets, or stainless steel. Now, some companies are offering refrigerators, in a variety of colors; panels of color that can be added to the front of the refrigerator for a personal touch.

Some very interesting statistics show what refrigerator shades people prefer:

Black is purchased in the West, more than in the East.
Bright or Bold colors speak to younger consumers.
Nostalgic People like retro colors-- soft yellow and petal pink are making a comeback.
More men than women prefer black or metal finishes.
White is the most popular color.

In Feng Shui, when choosing a refrigerator color, get out your compass for the enrichment of directional energy. If you don't own one, you can purchase a compass in any sporting good store. Using a compass will show the direction your refrigerator is facing. A refrigerator facing east, may be green, or the same wood-facade to match the cabinets in the kitchen -- placed in the southwest, black-- in the northwest, stainless steel or white--centralized in the home, a yellow or golden tone --and facing northward, black, blue or bisque. If your refrigerator faces south, you better call a custom designer; red or purple is the best color. Hartland Appliances offers a wide variety of primary and pastel colors. And Viking Range Corporation supplies an array of savvy colors, Burgundy, Lemonade, Mint Julep, Cobalt Blue and Eggplant, to name a few. Appliances with designer colors can add beauty to a kitchen, as well as enhancement Feng-Shui-wise. When designing the kitchen, never place a stove or refrigerator next to each other; the water element of the refrigerator diminishes the fire element of the stove.

When using Feng Suhi principles, choosing a refrigerator synonymous with compass colors, for a specific direction, will enhance your fridge's energy, especially in the space where it is placed. Many families have two refrigerators or more. Some are housed in the garage or other areas of the home, including laundry rooms and basements. Colors will certainly enhance a specific energy to a specific space. But by far, the most important criterion is the cleanliness of your refrigerator. You bathe daily, so why not clean your refrigerator more often. It houses the food that sustains your very being. And Feng Shui-wise, it enhances your life.

Feng Shui stresses cleanliness and freedom of clutter; If you have purchased a used refrigerator or have stored it for a period to time, it is very important to thoroughly clean, not only the inside and outside, but also the racks, shelves, drawers, gaskets and coils as well. Make sure you vacuum the coils on the back and periodically clean the underside as well. To clean a used refrigerator, or one that's been in storage, use a mixture of equal parts of ½ bleach and ½ water. Bleach can irritate your hands, so wear gloves when sanitizing. Begin by washing or scrubbing the walls, including the freezer compartment. Next, wipe the shelves, racks and drawers. Be sure to get into the tiny holes and crevices. This will kill any mold or microbes that have set up home, inside your fridge. It's easier if you place all the extraneous parts in the bathtub and clean them there. After cleaning the parts and the inside, rinse with clear water and wipe with a lint-free, clean cloth.

If an odor remains in the refrigerator, put an open box of baking soda or about ½ pound of activated charcoal in a dish, to absorb smells. Activated charcoal can be purchased in aquarium stores, health and nutrition stores, or online. If you would like to give a sweet scent to your frig, you may add one part lemon or orange peels to one part sea salt. These are all great deodorizers. Place any of these combinations in a small dish, on the middle shelf of your frig. Feng-Shui-wise, this is the central location and the health area. Make sure you remove the baking soda, charcoal, salt and citrus peels on a regular basis, especially the peels. Set up a schedule, or mark your calendar on a set date, to replace them with new deodorizers. The peels should be replaced every week, the rest about every six weeks. When discarding the old peels and salt, or baking soda, they may be placed in your garbage disposal to give it a clean scent.

Always, keep the temperature in the refrigerator at 40º Fahrenheit and your freezer should be set with the proper climate control below 32º. Do not over pack your freezer. Mark packages with a date and clean out the freezer on a regular basis, at least every three months. Most frozen food can be kept for that period of time. If any frozen food is freezer-burned, throw it away. After initially cleaning your refrigerator, start a regimen of a once-a-month cleaning. Clean with ¼ cup of baking soda to 1 quart of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon. Wipe down the inside to keep the smell in your fridge springtime- fresh and clean. A new refrigerator should also be wiped down before using.

Make sure food in containers is held for no more than three days. See if the produce drawers are clean and vegetables or other items there are crisp and fresh. If food has been sitting out for a period of time, throw it away. Always look in the back of the refrigerator; foods there usually go unnoticed. Basically, keeping your refrigerator clean will keep you from warranting unnecessary health problems. The outside surface of the refrigerator should be wiped regularly. The handles, door and ice dispenser compartment, if there is one, should be sanitized. Glass cleaners work well but on the ice dispenser area, clean with warm soapy water and rinse well. Do not get harsh cleaning products on places that may mix with ice or drinking water.

Directional energy is important in Feng Shui; so, notice where the door opens on your refrigerator, is it left or right? Double doors have two directions. This symbolizes east and west; the top is south, the bottom north. Fame can be enhanced, if the top of your fridge is clutter free and clean. Placing chackras there is not a good idea, unless it is done tastefully. Your career can be enhanced, if the bottom or underneath of the refrigerator is dust-bunny-proof. Doors are an eyesore, if they are heavily covered with magnets and papers. Use these items sparingly. Feng Shuiing your refrigerator can be cool, or just as hot as Feng Shuiing your stove. So be happy, healthy and wise, keep your refrigerator Feng Shui, squeaky-clean.

Feng Shuiing your Refrigerator is now appearing on the web site: blog.fengshui-gift.com

Om Mani PadMe Hum--The Jewel Is In The Lotus

By Dolores Kozielski

Incorporated in Feng Shui, Om Mani PadMe Hum is a mantra, or prayer, chanted by devout Buddhists; it means: The Jewel Is In The Lotus. This sacred mantra is a benediction invoking the blessings of Chenrezig who is the primordial manifestation of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light who reigns in the Land of Bliss. Knowing that all beings needed a compassionate presence to help them overcome their karmic fate, Amitabha brought forth Chenrezig, from the radiance of his right eye. Chenrezig is said to be the embodiment of the compassionate Buddha, an awakened nature of every being’s kindness and love, through mindfulness-intention.

The sacred mantra, Om Mani PadMe Hum, is not only chanted by the faithful, but is placed on a prayer wheel called a Mani wheel, a cylindrical mechanism that houses many copies of the sacred mantra. Around 400 AD, a Chinese pilgrim traveling through Ladakh, a land in the Indian Himalayas know as Little Tibet, saw his first Mani wheel. On his return home, he conveyed to others his account of the sacred wheel. Soon, many faithful pilgrims and towns had their own prayer wheels. Mani wheels can be very large or very small. The smaller ones are hand-held, while the larger are independent cylinders that are several meters high, some as tall as twenty feet. The hand-held wheels are usually made of a wooden or metal cylindrical container that is carved or engraved with the sacred manta on the outside. Inside the hollow cylinder is a scroll made of skin or paper, which has thousands of written or printed prayers on it. The written mantra is attached and rolled around a central axis that connects the cylinder to a wooden handle. The prayers on the skin, or paper, are sometimes yards in length. The more prayers within the Mani wheel, the more multiplications of good will and blessings are dispersed.

Mani means diamond, a most precious jewel, signifying the mind. PadMe means Lotus, symbolic of consciousness. And the lotus is synonymous with the heart that is the energetic source of love. When chanted, the syllables of the sacred mantra encompass a positive karmic outcome. Om frees the true believer, from the chains of pride and pleasure. Ma purifies the faithful follower of jealousy and lust. Ni emancipates the imprisoned-mind, from useless desire and self-absorbed passion. Pad liberates the unconscious mind, from prejudice and ignorance. Me cleanses the greedy conscience, from the grip of poverty and possessiveness. And Hum releases the wicked heart, from the fires of anger that bring forth aggression and hatred. When negative qualities have ceased, this allows room for the positive qualities of an enlightened mind, heart and soul to emerge: patience, effort, loving-kindness, right-intention, meditation, awareness and wisdom.

When the Mani wheel is spun, it is said to have the same effect as reciting the prayers that are contained within. Thousands of prayers can be manifested, in an instant. Mani wheels are easily spun and rotated, with one hand. The Cylinder spins freely, with the help of an attached swinging chain or chord that is counter-weighted. Every time the wheel revolves, prayers and blessings are released into the universe. Just viewing a written copy of the sacred mantra has the same outcome of spinning the wheel. Tibetan Mani wheels are always spun clockwise, following the rotation of the sun. Also, in a rotating order are the syllables of the mantra, so that they may be read in sequence, as a passerby would view them. Although, with the earlier practice of Bon, before the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual tradition, practitioners spun their prayer wheels counter-clockwise. In certain spiritual rituals, participants walk around a sacred object during the guidance of a full moon.

Mani wheels can also be spun by the elements, water, fire, earth and wind. Wheels are placed in the open air and revolve with the wind, like a weathervane or whirligig. Some are powered by streams, flowing water, waterfalls or lakes. The water that touches the wheel becomes blessed. When the water returns to its original source, the blessing is taken to that location, purifying all living creatures bathed in its prayer. Mani wheels also rotate from the rising heat of a candle, a flame, or generated steam. The light that turns the wheel and, then, shines upon any living creature in its path, is said to purify and release negative karma. A Ground or tabletop wheel that is spun by hand, blesses the person that touches and spins it.

In Tibet, the mantra is also written on Mani stones and along paths, where the faithful travel about. Sometimes, they are piled on top of each other to create Mani walls. Larger wheels house countless copies of Om Mani Padme Hum, along with hundreds of sacred texts. The faithful pilgrims keep the larger wheels in constant motion.

This mantra is recited by Feng Shui practitioners, especially in the Black Sect Tradition, before embarking upon each new feng shui consultation. The mantra is recited within the daily lives of the Feng Shui practitioners, in order to enhance right-intention and loving-kindness-- so that each new client may receive the benefit of this blessing.

The Dalai Lama has stated that electronic prayer wheels have emerged, through the dawning of computers and other electronic devices such as screen savers; simply, by storing a picture of the mantra’s syllables on the computer’s hard drive. As the hard drive turns, it creates a new form of a prayer wheel that continues to send prayers of compassion, to every part of the world, every second, of every day. This allows, The Jewel in the Lotus, Om Mani PadMe Hum, the benediction of Chenrezig, to go forth and continually bless all beings with a benevolent compassion.

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"The Jewel Is In The Lotus" is now appearing on the web site

Feng Shui, The Essence Of Good Taste

By Dolores Kozielski

Feng Shui pronounced Fung Shway is the Chinese ancient art of placement and balance of energy. For about 5,000 years, Feng Shui has been practiced. Feng Shui began by locating the best site for Chinese ancestral graves.

Housed in a circle of the Tai Chi is a symbol of yin and yang; you know the black swirl with a tiny white dot and the white swirl, with a tiny black dot; they are known as opposites. The Tai Chi represents everything contained within the universe. As the centuries passed, from that mysterious circle of yin and yang, Feng Shui developed into a unique resource. It influenced one’s surroundings by attracting the positive aspects of energy, essentially by neutralizing the negative. Understanding the five elements, wood, fire, earth, metal and water accomplished this.

In Chinese philosophy the five elements have their own direction, attribute, shape, color or colors, and a plethora of other representations. The elements work with or against each other; sometimes they even cancel each other out, if applied properly. Feng Shui practitioners believe, how much or too little of each element can truly have a profound effect our daily lives and surroundings.

Over many centuries, Traditional Feng Shui, or Compass school, was widely practiced in China. By trial and error and with proper application of the elements and a compass called a Lo P’an, many other schools of thought evolved. Form school developed and grew. It was based upon, how humble farmers raised their crops, by planting in the best physical location. The mountains from behind protected their crops from the wind. In the front, the gentle flowing streams of water nourished the fields. That is how Feng Shui got its name, wind, water.

Then, there was an awakening in America; a fairly new concept called BTB (Tibetan Tantric Buddhist Black Hat Sect) came along. It was born in the early 1980’s and is attributed to Professor Lin Yun, who teaches this particular application of Feng Shui, an approach that does not use the compass, but a much less complex instrument called the Bagua. In Chinese, bagua means eight segments; ba means eight, gua means segment or part. The bagua does not follow the compass or true directional space. The entrance of a home and business or garden is called the mouth of ch’i, ch’i meaning energy. It is always in the northern segments, on the Bagua. Each segment of the bagua has an attribute or life pathway, direction, color, and a symbol associated with it. For example the Fame segment of the bagua is in the South, its color is red and its symbol is a triangle. Metaphorically speaking, a feng shui practitioner follows the bagua like a master chief would follow a recipe aligning the bagua with the mouth of ch’i, placing all the proper elements, or ingredients, within each area. The result is the best mix or creation, for all who share in the finished product.

Also, vital, in the practice of BTB is, daily meditation and “right” intention. When the practitioner’s mind, body and soul are clear and focused, the proper alignment of energy or a transcendental cure may be offered. Transcendental cures are very different form standard cures; they are spiritual and mystical in nature, seeming at times, to defy logic.

Clearing clutter is also one of the a main factors in Feng Shui. It is like being in the cleanest and most sanitary kitchen, (the kitchen can be synonymous with any place in our surroundings). It provides an unobstructed work area, which makes room for new and improved recipes. Preparation in an uncluttered and clean space makes room for abundance. Not necessarily more, but a full measure of what is needed. Abundance is invited inside the cleared and clean space, so that every individual can create what they need most in their life’s diet, a balance. Wealth is always welcomed, but sometimes wealth comes in many different flavors, not just money, but wealth of career, knowledge, family, health, fame, romance, children, travel, or by drawing people into our lives that can be helpful in many ways. Whatever one craves, it can be found through Feng Shui. If we enter a messy kitchen, or heaven forbid, an uncleanly one, most individuals would probably stop cooking. They would leave the premises and eat elsewhere, or only eat to survive. It seems, that’s what many people are doing today, just surviving. They are missing out on the ambiance and taste of the finest food for the soul, which I believe can be had through Feng Shui.

Food for the soul, an awareness of one’s surroundings, with a good intention, along with the proper application of Feng Shui is like having the most delicious, nutritious meal in our daily living and spiritual lives. This is what the Feng Shui practitioner prepares and then serves, by passing along life’s recipes to those who partake in the essence of the experience of fine placement, harmony and balance. I believe it is the equivalency of dining at one of the world’s finest restaurants, the ambiance, along with superb food is experienced. The master chief is the Feng Shui practitioner who prepares the finest food for the soul and saviors every moment in its preparation.

Whether using a pan or Lo P’an, fork or bagua, these instruments connect us with the food that we need, the life energy that keeps us strong, happy and satisfied and most importantly, alive. Imagine trying to eat with your hands. Not having the proper utensils, like a pot to cook in or a fork to eat with. The same holds true for do-it-yourself Feng Shuiers, without the proper tools, things can get mighty messy. Even in the art of dying, the master Feng Shui practitioner, like the master chief, knows that the proper recipe for success is following directions. They recall that the very foundation and essence of Feng Shui was the proper location and direction of gravesites. This is the soul of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is a good recipe to follow; it's the essence of good taste. It's the real deal, one of the best "Soul foods" you'll ever have. As the adage goes, “How do you know how it tastes, unless you’ve tried it?”

"Feng Shui The Essence Of Good Taste" is now appearing on the web site: Feng Shui In NJ

HOW FENG SHUI, CARDIOMYOPATHY & MEDITATION HELP ME TO OVERCOME CANCER

I was in heart failure. I was put on the operating schedule for open-heart surgery to replace a faulty heart valve; but instead, I went for a second opinion. During the second opinion, I was told I had cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart muscle) and did not need the operation, after all. I was relieved; but I had this nagging pain in my abdomen. My new cardiologist sent me for a CAT scan, then the bombshell hit-- it was ovarian cancer. I was in disbelief; I was angry. I went routinely, every six months, to my gynecologist. In fact, I had just had a check-up and was assured that everything was fine.

“How could all these health problems happen to one person, at one time? I’ll do anything to make them go away.” I pleaded.

After having a full hysterectomy, I went through the stages of grief. My heart was stronger than what the doctors actually thought; yet I needed something more to get me through. My family, friends and colleagues were very supportive, but it wasn’t enough. Then, I remembered something that happened about three months before my diagnosis, when I was in a certification program studying Feng Shui. I was meditating with friends. During the meditation, a voice came from within. It told me that I would go through much suffering, but would not die. I told my friends what was revealed to me, but I eventually dismissed it as not being real...But it was real all right! I made a vow-- never doubt my meditations again.

My Feng Shui teacher encouraged me to keep meditating; she came to visit me in the hospital and brought a beautiful bouquet of nine flowers.

“These are more then flowers,” she said, “They are part of a transcendental healing ceremony called Tracing The 9 Stars, a Feng Shui cure that transforms negative energy into positive energy.”

She began chanting the Heart-Calming mantra, (a prayer said in Sanskrit). She held her hands in a Mudra, (a sacred hand gesture), placing the tips of her thumb and index finger together, to form a circle.

“This is a Tibetan Buddhist, Feng Shui cure,” she said.

After she finished, she placed the flowers on the windowsill, in clear view for all to see. In three days, she advised me to throw the flowers away, even if they still looked fresh and vibrant. We chatted awhile; then, she told me that she also had a life-threatening illness. She believed it was karmic and that she would get well again.

After three days passed, the flowers were still beautiful, but I did what she said. I had my husband remove and dispose them in a trash receptacle, located on the outside of the hospital. This was exactly what I needed. A Feng Shui cure! Was my illness also karmic? Was I cured?

Something mystical happed, through the Tracing of the 9 Stars. Those nine flowers still exist; they are part of my spirit. They give me strength and hope and continue to send forth their blessings, by keeping me focused and happy. I believe one can be coached into well-being. Meditation is the most important part of my medication. There is only one letter difference between the two words, yet meditation is the medication that truly works. But most importantly, a balance in consciousness through meditation is the key to being at peace. One’s belief system is ultimately what one becomes. Meditating and connecting with the universe unites me to my higher self. Meditation and Feng Shui are now a huge part of my belief system and trust in God-- they've gotten me through the storm and into the dawn of a new awakening.

I always knew, deep down, on a subconscious level, that I would recover. Why did I have so much illness appear at one time? My doctors were also baffled. They told me that environment, genetics and diet may all play a part in contracting cancer, but they thought the cardiomyopathy was caused, possibly, from a virus. They said it was bizarre to get two major illnesses at one time. But even uncannier was that heart failure and cardimyopathy ultimately saved my life. If it weren’t for my cardiologist sending me for a CAT scan, the ovarian cancer would have gone undetected.

I have stopped reliving how my cardiomyopathy and cancer came about and why my gynecologist didn’t discover the cancer sooner. It is a waste of time. It is useless and fruitless to dwell in the past. I have replaced worrying with loving life. If I project a happy, healthy me, then others will see it too. Because of cardiomyopathy, my cancer was halted. A double dose of awakening was much more profound than all the medicine and chemotherapy that keeps my heart functioning and the cancer at bay.

There is no doubt that cardiomyopathy saved my life, but there is something more. It is called Faith, with a capital “F”. Living with cardiomyopathy and cancer is an intimate challenge. They eat, sleep and breathe with me. Even when everything is going well, they remind me how precious life is. I now believe that my cardiomyopathy was a gift. Because of this conviction, it allows me not to be consumed with fear. I will not let cancer take over my identity. I know I am not a defective heart or a cell gone awry. Both may live in me, but it’s not the core of who I am.

Cardiomyopathy and cancer continually teach me to be a compassionate being with no regrets. From both, I have been taught this very valuable information: Negative and positive are in the eyes of the beholder. In my case, cardiomyopathy was definitely positive; it kept me from dying of cancer. Now, I can open my eyes each morning and smile, I am well; I am alive. I realize I have much to smile and laugh about-- For a smile is the gesture of the universe and laughter its song.

How Cardiomyopathy Helped Me to Overcome Cancer is now appearing on the web site: International Feng Shui Guild

The Dorje & Tibetan Prayer Bell

Dorje, pronounced (door-jay), is a Tibetan word that means indestructible. It is usually compared to a diamond that can cut through anything. Dorje is another name for a Vajra, meaning “mighty one” or “noble stone” in Sanskrit.

A dorje is an ornately crafted, hand-held instrument that is usually made of iron, bone or leather. Iron is the most preferred element because of its purity and connectiveness to space. It is cast by hand, but can also be carved in wood or cut in crystal. Resembling a baby's rattle, a dorje can have one to nine prongs. Usually having an equal number of prongs on each end, surrounded by a central, pointed shaft.

The wrathful dorje’s prongs are splayed at the ends, while the peaceful dorje’s prongs are curved and meet at the tip of the shaft. The shaft sometimes extends beyond the prongs. The middle section of the shaft is designed with two lotuses, from which spring the prongs. In Vedic or Hindu tradition, the prongs resemble tines that are not curved; but in Tibetan Buddhism, the prongs curve toward or into the shaft.

The dorje’s pronged ends are representative of spokes on the wheel of Samsara. Holding the dorje represents the sudden shattering of ignorance and the attainment of enlightenment in an instant, the annihilation of self. In Tibet this is called "the Great Death".

Symbolically, a dorje is the equivalent to a thunderbolt, the surge of unexpected inspiration. When thinking of a thunderbolt, its sound comes with great clamor, the breaking of silence during a storm. The Dorje becomes synonymous with the breaking through and the attainment of enlightenment. In ancient India, the cosmic thunderbolt, or Vedic weapon, was often associated with the Hindu sky god, Indra. The weapon of Indra, the vajra, would break open the clouds; so welcoming rains could douse the Indian plains, parched during the sweltering summer.

A Dorje is linked with the Tibetan prayer bell, the dirlbu or Ghanta, which is its feminine compliment. The bell usually faces downward; it is held in the left hand and represents yin energy and the attribute of wisdom. Usually facing upward, a dorje is held in the right hand. It represents yang energy, the masculine force and the attribute of compassion. The Bell and Dorje are inseparable, ritual objects in Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan monks use them, as an aid in meditation. They are always paired with each other during a religious ceremony. Together, they represent enlightenment through the practice of compassion and wisdom.

Before praying or chanting, the faithful ring the bell to call on the presence of Buddha. The bell is in the key of “D”, the second octave, mellowing into the third octave, as the sound wanes. The sound of the bell clears the mind of earthy presence and sets the tone for undisturbed meditation. The bell can also be struck in the same fashion as a singing bowl, or used as a gong. Lamas hold a dorje and ring a bell during religious ceremonies. Holding the dorje and bell, with wrists crossed over each other and on the chest, represents the binding of the masculine and feminine nucleus, bringing compassion and wisdom with a sudden flash, then a glimpse, into the realm of enlightenment.

The Dorje & Tibetan Prayer Bell is now appear at Feng Shui Research Center

Feng Shui, Simply Divine

Feng Shui (Fung Shway), many people can’t pronounce it. They’ve heard about Feng Shui, but they’re not quite sure what it is. Literally, it means wind, water. Feng Shui is an ancient, Chinese art of placement. It began with selecting the most optimal site for a grave. The gravesite hosted a stone, shaped like an armchair. The back, as well as both sides of the "armchair", provided the interred a protection from negative energy. The front opening, the seat, was placed with precise coordinates, in the direction that was most beneficial and invited a positive energy flow called ch’i. For the deceased, this site would be home-sweet-home for eternity.

Today, Feng Shui has grown into an industry and offers many ways to balance your energy (ch’i). As a certified Feng Shui consultant, I have recently put my expertise to the test. Every Feng Shui practitioner that I know agrees-- the best time to have a Feng Shui consultation is before, not after, you buy a home.

I, along with my husband, searched, for more than a year, through a plethora of old, as well as new houses. My husband humored me and let me scrutinize every nook and cranny of each home we toured. Then, we fell in love. It was a new home in an active, adult community in Southern NJ . It had everything we wanted --nice size kitchen, master bedroom suite and closet space-- and it passed the Feng Shui test, as well. At last, our quest had ended, we decided to buy.

in Feng Shui, I new how important direction is, so I made sure the direction of my front door was the correct energy for me and my husband. I even worked with an electrician, right down to where the extra outlets would go and how the influence of the lighting would affect each area of my home, inside and out. The layout was perfect, except for the sunroom; I wanted to square it off with the family room, modeling it after The Golden Mean, a divine proportion, similar to the proportion in Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and the Fibonacci sequence. Basically, it is taking a rectangle then squaring it off; thereby, creating another rectangle inside the original one, which then becomes divine proportion. The Fibonacci sequence is as follows:

Divine Proportion--The Fibonacci Sequence

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man

Chambered Nautilus Chambered Nautilus--an example of the Fibonacci sequence: 0+1+1+2+3+5+8+13+21+34+55+89+144…to infinity.

fibspiral

*The Golden Mean 1.618034…Represented by the Greek letter Phi. Phi +1=Phi

*Phi--A room 13X21 is divine proportion.

In Feng Shui, all regular shapes are best; they enhance a positive energy flow. But, in the end, squaring off the sunroom couldn’t be done. The builder could not violate the variance and building codes of our particular model. Instead, the room became an extension onto the basic shape of the house, creating an increase in the abundance area, (*one of the eight life pathways associated with Feng Shui). On the outside, adjacent to the sunroom, a small piece of ground was left vacant. I balanced and grounded the edge of this area, with a large piece of marble. Then, I added a purple gazing ball in the center, to bring the outside space and the wall of the sunroom into a harmonious blend.

*Life Pathways in Feng Shui: r--*Knowledge -- Family/Health-- Abundance-- Fame-- *Relationship, Children-- Travel & Helpful People.

I also asked the builder, if the living room, the front of my home, could be extended. I wanted a bay window seat there and another one built in the master bedroom, as well. He obliged. As far as I know, my model became the only one with two bump-outs that are part of the original foundation of my home. In Feng Shui, these areas, respectively, equate with extended *knowledge and *relationship.

Next on the agenda, were ceiling fans; I did not permit any to be installed. The coordinator suddenly caught on. She asked, "Are you one of those people that does "Fing Shoee."

I just smiled and replied a quiet, "yes."

"Why may I ask, don’t you want ceiling fans, most people have them; especially in the loft, sunroom and master bedroom?"

"There won’t be any flying swords hanging above my head," I said, with an air of authority.”

Wide-eyed, the coordinator got the picture. "I see what you mean," she said. "Let’s skip the ceiling fans."

But the more faucets, tile, hardwood, cabinets and marble I was shown, I became much more Feng Shui-challenged.

My husband piped up, "Why can’t we have a fan in the sunroom? I happen to like fans."

I relented. We decided to put in the wiring. Maybe one day, a fan will be a permanent fixture in both rooms. I realized that no one would be sitting directly under those flying swords, since the fan blades would be centrally located in the sunroom and loft.

When it was time to call for custom drapery and interior painting, both the designer and painter were impressed, as I whipped out my notebook. Each page was coordinated with the proper directional color scheme, border and fabric for each room. As an example, my master bedroom faces east, so I choose various pink & green tints and shades that would support that direction. The painter and installer were delighted to have my book; it became their working canvas and made their jobs so much easier.

Some of the other residents that I spoke with asked if I was beaten-down with all the decision-making. I can honestly say I truly enjoyed every moment, making qualified judgments based on my Feng Shui expertise. My years of training really paid off.

The Feng Shui of ancient China has certainly come a long way, from the stone armchairs and gravesites for those lucky enough to afford a consultant. Even back then, the wise choose their site before, not after, they died. They wanted assurance that, forever, they would rest in peace in a wonderful balance of ch’i.

Now, as I sit in my family room, feet propped up in my comfy, armchair I can finally enjoy the fruits of my labor. There’s only one difference-- I’m very much alive! I can get up, meander into my bedroom, put out the lights and contentedly rest in peace, in a beautiful, Feng Shui-correct, master suite-- that is, until the sun streams in and awakens me with its vibrant, easterly energy.

Oops! I think I better call the designer and order a heavier drape.

Feng Shui---Simply Divine is now appearing at Self Growth.

Feng Shui and Real Estate—The Perfect Couple

Whether you're searching for a home in Beverly Hills CA, or Moorhead, MN, acquiring a property is one of the most important decisions anyone can make in a lifetime. Buying or selling real estate can be so overwhelming, especially, when you don’t know what property to choose or what to do when searching for a new home. Selling a home, scouting out a new location for a business, or buying multiple properties is when you should, not only hire a qualified real estate agent, hire a Feng Shui expert as well. Yet, the optimal time to call in a Feng Shui expert is even before a home is built.

Some people say, they have a gut feeling when they find the right property; they just feel like they’re home. But, why not have some basis to form that feeling. Your gut is probably a good indication that you’re on the right track and the property is the right choice for you. Yet, the placement and direction of the home or business, in question, can be analyzed before a purchase is made. This gives you more than a gut feeling; it gives you choice information.

An energy analysis can also be done, to make sure that the property is compatible with its inhabitants. Water, tree, fire, metal and earth are the elements that are contained in the Chinese five-element-theory. This theory goes hand-and-hand with Feng Shui concepts. It is the core of Feng Shui. Why not use this knowledge to purchase or sell a property. The Chinese have been doing it for thousands of years; they thought enough of their ancestors to hire a Feng Shui practitioner. It all began by looking for the best location for a grave site:

When Chinese pictorial writing began about 5,000 years ago, it is believed that Form Feng Shui was being practiced. This was about the same time, in Puyang, a Chinese city located in northeastern Henan Province , that constellations, depicted in mosaics of a dragon and tiger, were discovered at the burial site of a six-foot-man. On the floor, at the base of the tomb, made from cowrie shells, a white tiger was placed in the west and an azure dragon in the east.

Cowrie Shell

The mosaics that were found relate to, two of the four, Celestial Animals used in Form Feng Shui. The dark tortoise of the north and the red bird of the south are the other two. Form Feng Shui was the first school, of many, with principles relating to this ancient art of placement. Yet, the term Feng Shui wasn’t mentioned until, about the later part of the 5^th century A.D.; it was first referred to in the Chinese Book of Burial.

When a Chinese family needed expert advice for a proper burial site, they'd hire a Feng Shui practitioner. The practitioner knew how to observe the directional energy of the land and its surroundings and surveyed the perfect plot for the family’s ancestral, burial ground. The family of the deceased believed that burying their loved one, in this select site, would bring wealth and auspiciousness to all living relatives. This is how Feng Shui was launched and literally translates as, “Wind, Water”.

The Chinese looked to nature and noticed how Ch’i (Chee) meaning energy, or the dragon’s celestial breath, was in the drift of the “wind”. They also studied the flow of “water” and how ch’i settled there as well. Since the azure dragon was revered in their culture, they knew that this was the wealth of their surroundings; harsh winds and rapid waters drove ch’i away.

The people observed the lay of the land. In the east, the rounded, lush mountains, like the dragon’s curved spine, kept them safe. The dark tortoise mountains, of rich black earth, protected the backs of the ancestor’s graves from the harsh winds of the north. And, the white tiger-hills, of the west, were the guardians from the storms of nature. In the south, the red bird was the warmth of the knolls that faced into the sun; while, the meandering rivers, by the frontage, signified the wealth and prosperity of the land and its inhabitants. The dragon's breath, at last, was peaceful and calm.

Even back then, the people were wise to hire a Feng Shui expert. Location, location, location was the family’s treasure in locating the best grave site. Now, when using Feng Shui, the same premise should be applied--but for the living as well; find the best location, and that doesn’t necessarily mean prime real estate. Although, even without knowing it, most prime estates have many Feng Shui principles incorporated in their structure and grounds. Still, purchasing a property on the side of a mountain, no matter how breathtaking the view, is not optimal Feng Shui. Mud slides happen, as well as earthquakes and volcanoes. The back of the house should be situated, far enough, away from the mountain. The view of the mountain’s beauty can still be captured, but the mountain should not endanger anyone living on it. A home does not have to be a mansion, but it can be your own harbor of respite and joy.

Lo Pan

As thousands of years passed and Feng Shui was being practiced widely in China ; about 1200 A.D., Yun Sung, the forefather of modern Compass School , enhanced Form school by introducing directional energy. He used a compass. In Traditional Feng Shui the compass is called the Lo P'an.

When looking for real estate, equip yourself with a western compass. It can be purchased in any sporting goods store or most department stores. Take a compass direction of the energy that you will be facing. A facing position is found by standing with your back to your front door and looking out toward the other side of the road or street. Today, roads and highways are synonymous with rivers. A large, trafficked area has fast-moving energy and equates with a large, fast-moving river or even a rough ocean. That’s why businesses do well on high volume roads, but a home in the same area can cause many woes for the people living there.

A young couple, just starting out, may want to consider buying an eastern-facing home. This signifies new beginnings and new projects; while, an elderly couple may want to consider the more quiet and peaceful energy of the west. A southern energy is very dynamic; though, the energy of the north is placid and contemplative. Northeastern energy should be avoided, unless the individuals living there like a whirlwind of chaotic energy. Northeastern energy can be very draining on slow-moving and methodical inhabitants. Think about the storms coming out of the Northeast, the Nor’easters. If you buy a home facing in this direction, at least you’ll know what you’ve gotten yourself into.

When searching for your dream home, it should not have overgrown trees and bushes blocking the front door. The entrance is called the Mouth of Ch’i, also known as the Ming Tang, the inner and outer space found at Chinese gravesites. The inner space is an area adjacent to the dragon's lair; the outer is bright and welcoming. Ming Tang translates in Chinese as Bright Hall.

Ming Tang

In the same respect, a pathway to the front of a home should be bright, winding and welcoming. The house should be well maintained, with no loose shingles, or if it is made with brick or stone, loose mortar. A fixer-upper needs to be repaired as soon as possible. The color of the roof, sides, front and back equate with specific energies and these factors should also be analyzed, so that they may enhance the inhabitants own energies. In the backyard, this area should be supported with the dark tortoise hills by planting bushes or trees on the perimeter, toward the back of the home. On the sides, bushes, flowers and small trees could augment the property. But, the east side of the home should have plants and bushes larger than on the west side. The dragon rests higher than the tiger. Adding foliage is the equivalent to the “U” configuration, an arm-chair-effect that was first used in Form Feng Shui.

The armchair is supported in the back by the dark tortoise, on the sides by the azure dragon and white tiger. The red bird hovers in the front. If the home is in the city and has other homes next to it; this is considered protection on both sides. But, the back would still have to be enhanced. Yet, there’s one caveat… make sure you know who you’ll be living next to, before you purchase that home. Loud neighbors can mean that the dragon and tiger are always animated or angry. Remember, when you finally purchase a home, this is where you will live, eat and sleep each day of your life, so practice beneficial Feng Shui.

The Chinese knew it all along; Feng Shui is the best way to choose where you will live, now, and possibly to the end of your life. Feng Shui and real estate make the perfect couple, you and your energy-enhanced home.

Feng Shui & Real Estate--The Perfect Couple is now appearing on the web site: SelfGrowth and fengshuichinese

10 FENG SHUI TIPS TO SELL YOUR HOME

Paint your door, if it's in disrepair. In Feng Shui, your front door is the mouth of ch’i (energy). Brick-red is always a ch’i enhancing color but know the direction your home faces and use that directional color to provide more energy within the home: North--creamy white; NE-- stark white; East--green; SE-- deep green; South-- red to purple; SW—Black or White; West--deep maroon. NW- Gray, or Precious metal colors

Trim bushes and shrubs if they are blocking your windows. Clip them below the window frames. This will allow vibrant energy to enter your home. If greenery is blocking your front door, clear or prune trees and plants to make an unobstructed walkway or path; this will facilitate and bring radiant ch’i to your entrance.