Feng shui is a philosophy and a practice that originated
in China, but all societies have the knowledge feng shui
contains. It is basically an environmental science that
when applied contributes to the well-being of an individual
or community. Feng Shui is essentially about creating a
proper and balanced flow of energy through the art of
placement.

Whether at home or at work or around out communities, feng
shui as practiced in the West today guides us in creating
environments that support us and set us at ease. Some feng
shui practices simply make sense: natural light, fresh air,
and clean environments are good for the well being of both
our bodies and spirits.

At the same time, feng shui contains other environmental
concepts that might not seem so obvious as potentially
beneficial or harmful. In fact, some harmful arrangements
go unnoticed until we recognize a problem area in our life
and take steps to correct the problem. Once our surrounding
are properly ordered, we can connect to the energy around
us that allows us to experience desired changes for the
better.

Have you ever noticed that some spaces instinctively feel
right? Whether they were created by intentional design or
by someone with a subconscious gift for placement and flow,
there are feng shui principles at work bringing the place
into harmony.

One principle is the balance of yin and yang. According to
feng shui, these two forces always act together in creating
energy. In balance, there is well-being. However, when one
force dominates, the imbalance can be detrimental. These
positive and negative forces are opposites, yes, but yin
and yang are interdependent. That is, without knowing
softness, one cannot understand hardness. Stillness and
motion, low and high, cold and hot: these are examples of
yin forces and yang forces, which at their extreme can
change into the other. For example, sunstroke can make
victims shiver and ice can feel like a burn. In feng shui,
the object is to balance opposites.

A second principle of spaces that feel right is the idea
of Chi. Chi doesn't have a western equivalent, but loosely
can be translated as the life force of animate things, the
power of the sun and weather, the quality of the inanimate
or of the environment. In short, the energy. When Chi is
blocked in our bodies, acupuncture is used to help it flow
and restore health. Where Chi is blocked in our homes or
other surroundings, proper re-arrangement will get it
flowing smoothly and gently once again, restoring peace and
harmony for the occupants.

You could find resources online or at your local library
that give very detailed and specific instructions about
balancing yin and yang or enhancing the flow of Chi. But
you don't need to start with books and research in order to
immediately improve your surroundings and therefore your
quality of life. The most practical and beneficial place to
begin applying the principles of feng shui is so simple as
to be deceptive in its power~. Begin by getting rid of
clutter.

Start by clearing the clutter - in your closets, from
table-tops, out of drawers, throughout rooms, the car, yard
and garden, the garage, everywhere. When you're done, you
will feel renewed, and if you like the feeling, then get
the books and resources, delving further into the
philosophy and practice of feng shui, the art of placement
for well-being.

Karen Havenor is a contributing writer for <a
href="http://fqHouse.com">News from FQ House</a> , your
resource for a world of house information. Find Karen's
archive of articles at http://www.fqHouse.com/

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