Five Things That Make Feng Shui Special

“What makes Feng Shui special?”

This question came up at an event I attended recently entitled “Feng Shui: Is It All In The Mind?”

The hall at the Rubin Museum of Art was packed with folks who wanted to hear about how Feng Shui actually works, or as neuro-sociologist John Zeisel put it, what makes it special.

Why have people been using Feng Shui for thousands of years as a guide to setting up their homes and businesses?

Why do we turn to Feng Shui as opposed to other disciplines like interior design, ergonomics, or evidence-based design, that are trying to achieve the same ends?  Why does it work?

The answer could not be arrived at in one short evening, but it occurred to me that you may be asking these questions, too.  

So here are five ideas that begin may begin to answer them, with links to more information about some of the specifics.  I invite you to add to the conversation by sharing your ideas in the Comments.

1. Feng Shui is unique because it asks you to view your space as an honest reflection of yourself and makes specific recommendations for adjustments that improve the energy of your space and your life.

2. Good Feng Shui helps you achieve your goals and aspirations by setting up a space that nourishes and supports you in ways both tangible and intangible.

3.  Feng Shui employs uniquely effective tools with thousands of years of history including the Bagua, Five Elements theory, and the balance of Yin and Yang.

4.  Feng Shui offers practical techniques that adjust your movement path and the flow of energy in your space.  Concepts like Chi Energy and the Commanding Position make specific recommendations about the use of space and arrangement of rooms for maximum comfort, safety and security. 

5.  Feng Shui’s ancient, time-tested methods emerged from a need to set up environments that maximize safety, comfort and security.  Its original purpose was to help farmers orient their properties to take full advantage of sun, water and prevailing winds while assuring safety and security for themselves and their families.

Do you find Feng Shui useful? Do you have theories about how and why it works — why it’s “special?”

I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to write me directly by responding to this email, or leave a comment below.

Comments

1. In our very urban and also modern world we have forgotten that farmers would set up their fields and plant crops that were appropriate for the climate and environment. So important for survival and nourishment. Thank you for writing about this very important part of Feng Shui.

   I think you’ll also enjoy my blog post about the corn field I photographed for a year in all the seasons. http://www.alicegarik.com/blog/2010/02/27/a-year-of-a-cornfield/

   Comment by Alice Garik — March 3, 2010 @ 12:43 pm

2. Alice, thank you so much for this insightful comment. Feng Shui is really all about our connection with nature, you’re absolutely right. And thanks for the link — your photographs are gorgeous!

   Comment by Ann — March 3, 2010 @ 12:57 pm

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