Much more information is currently available about Feng Shui. Further, many Feng Shui practitioners exist in the U.S. and throughout the world.It is reported that in Hong Kong today, people will not work for a company if the building is not built or adjusted according to Feng Shui, so strong is their belief in the science.

Even U.S. companies like Chase Manhattan Bank and Citibank, with branches in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, have had to build their offices according to these principles before local employees would agree to work in the buildings.

In the U.S. many companies are using Feng Shui in their offices.Television shows and newspaper are covering this science with greater frequency, including Donald Trump’s use of Feng Shui. In addition to offering guidelines on building structures, Feng Shui also offers very practical and inexpensive methods to correct architectural problems in a building without having to remodel or rebuild.

Extensive knowledge of Feng Shui and the ability to inexpensively remedy without remodeling currently make Feng Shui a very appealing alternative to Vastu Shastra. The basic premise of Feng Shui is that the structure (e.g., the home) has a life force of its own.

This external life force or chi (pronounced chee) as it is called is the same as kundalini. While it is most important to have one’s inner kundalini raised for Self-Realization, there is no harm (and it is helpful) to ensure the outer kundalini or chi is also flowing properly.

To this end a brief discussion of Feng Shui follows.Various schools of Feng Shui exist. One school works with a compass, using precise measurements and calculations. A second school relies on some basic guidelines and then infuses intuition into the decision making process.

Other schools have more modern integrative interpretations. It is the second school that will be discussed here. Its basic theory is simple and straight forward, and has become a very popular practice over the last decade.

This intuitive form of Feng Shui was popularized by author Sarah Rossbach. She is a student of Lin Yun of the Tantric Black Hat branch of Tibetan Buddhism, who is credited with making this approach widely available in the West.

While it is always better to hire a trained practitioner of Feng Shui, many simple therapies can be done by reading Sarah Rossbach’s book, Interior Design with Feng Shui. The do-it-yourself approach to Feng Shui is simple and inexpensive.

Simple remedies include rearrangement of desks, couches, chairs and beds. Structural considerations such as placement of stairs by the front door, hallways, angled ceilings and ceiling beams require minor remedies.

Three inexpensive methods to remedy structural problems in the home or office include mirrors, wind chimes and small crystal balls. One use of mirrors will be explained to provide a basic understanding of the science.

A structure (e.g., a home) is divided into nine equal rectangles (or squares) by applying a tic-tac-toe-like grid over a drawing of the building. Each rectangle relates to a specific area of one’s life (except for the center rectangle - similar to V?stu).

Depending where the front door of the house is located will determine the personality of each rectangle. The front door is somewhere on this wall of the house.The diagram above shows a floor plan of a building with nine equal rectangles.

Eight of the areas relate to eight different aspect of life. In this drawing the front door is placed along the bottom of the chart. Thus wherever one’s front door is will have the areas of knowledge, career and helpful people on that wall.

To enhance any of these areas a small mirror can be placed on the wall of that area to symbolically reflect the positive flow of life force of that domain of life.Some companies sell inexpensive three-inch Hexagonal or octagonal mirrors with the names of each domain written on them, both in English and Chinese.

For example, if a person has an unusual or severe health problem, a health mirror is placed on a wall in the family/health area. It does not matter what room of the house it is (i.e., bedroom, kitchen, etc.).

The focus is on the area itself being the domain of health (in relation to the front door). Thus, in addition to herbs, foods and other Ayurvedic therapies to heal the health concern, the placement of the mirror will help harmonize any external causes of the health problem.

Another way mirrors can be used relating to health problems is in terms of career. If a person is having troubles in their career, either being unhappy with their job, afraid of losing their job, etc., this can lead to anxiety, worry, etc.

This mental tension can alone be troubling or it can even affect one’s physical health. In addition to using brain tonic herbs like Brahmi to calm the mind, a career mirror can be placed in this sector of the home that should bring positive changes in one’s career.

The layout of a building is also said to influence each area of life. Lets take an example of a person lives in a second floor apartment (see diagram above). Further, lets say the stairway comes up into the career area of their apartment, cutting out a large section of the space. This can indicate trouble with career because that part of the home is missing. It is likely that the client will have trouble keeping a job or finding a good job.

Placing a career mirror on the wall in this area would help rectify this situation.Changes can occur in one of two ways. Sometimes the change is very noticeable, like finding a job.

In other cases changes occur on the level of thinking. For example if a person had previously been resigned to the belief that they were stuck in their job and there was no way out; they have never given a thought to changing jobs or careers.

After placing a career mirror in the career area of their home, they may first start considering job improvement.In other words, before a job change can occur, one must be ready for it; one needs to consider the topic or have it in their awareness.

So positive change means leading one to the next step from where one began when the mirror was placed. Some people may be ready for a job or a healing to occur. Others may need further information before making such choices or developments.

Healing Structural Problems Sometimes the actual structure of the home, apartment or office is blocking the proper flow life force. Through the use of simple and inexpensive therapies like mirrors and crystal balls, the flow of proper life force is restored.

Three examples are listed.If the front door opens, facing a wall, the life force is blocked. It is psychologically cramping or inhibiting to always feel one is walking into a wall and leads to a life of struggle. To resolve this a mirror is placed on the wall (see diagram a).


DIAGRAM A - WALL OBSTRUCTION AT FRONT DOOR

Another structural problems is having a stairway facing the front door. This allows the life force and money to flow out the door. The remedy is hanging a crystal ball or wind chime between the bottom stair and the front door. This improves the life force.


        FRONT DOOR FACES THE STAIR WAY

The entrance way or foyer should be well lit and spacious. Dark spaces are psychologically depressing. Narrow spaces evoke oppressive feelings that choke the home owner’s luck and health, leading to breathing problems. Placing a large mirror on the wall gives a sense of depth to the foyer.

Stairways need to be well lit, wide, with high ceilings. Hanging a mirror on the ceiling gives a sense of spaciousness and brightens the stairs, thereby preventing the feeling of constriction.Many other simple and inexpensive therapies are available for slanted ceilings, long corridors, aligned doors and windows, and more.

Furniture Placement
The way furniture is arranged also enhances or hampers the life force. It is possible to set up living room and office chairs can empower everyone. Placement of the bed is crucial for health, strength and mental peace. A person’s head should be able to see anyone entering through the bedroom door. If a person doesn’t see someone entering the room it may startle them.

This shocks the life force, causing nervousness, anxiety, etc. The best bed placement is to have the bed cater cornered to the door.Other helpful placements are shown below. Should the room not allow for proper bed placement mirrors can be hung on the walls to reflect the door.

CATER CORNERED BED

             
HELPFUL BED PLACEMENT OPTION


HELPFUL BED PLACEMENT OPTION

Feng Shui balances or harmonizes the outer life force, enabling life to flow according to natural law. Thus, it follows the same principles as does Ayurveda, so it can be considered an Ayurvedic therapy for external influences on health.We recommend two wonderful books on the subject; Interior Design With Feng Shui and Living Color, both by Sarah Rossbach.

This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. It in no way is intended to substitute for care from duly licensed health professionals.

Swami Sadashiva Tirtha, D.Sc., may be contacted through the International Vedic Institute - School of Ayurveda.