What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui, is based on study, observation, and understanding of the intrinsic energies of people and places. The universe is seen as the result of an interplay of Ch'i, a Chinese term used to describe life force energy. There is a ch'i of the earth, the atmosphere, and people. Central to understanding Feng Shui is an appreciation of the all pervasive nature and power of ch'i, which underlies all life and all realms of existence. The ability to perceive the quality, flow, and interplay of personal and environmental ch'i forms the basis of all Feng Shui principles and techniques. The source, quality, and flow of ch'i affects us in the world of nature as well as in man made structures.

How does Feng Shui compare to Western Architecture?

The roots of Western architecture come primarily from classic Greek and Roman designs arising from a reverence for and knowledge of the importance of geometry, proportion, and measurement to a site or building. The outer form, dimensions, and design were intended to give the places and structures the ability to evoke a response in people. This orientation resulted in the inspirational and breathtaking cathedrals in Europe, and provided a point of departure for the experimentation with form, elements, and materials so typical of modern architecture, often producing buildings that may look impressive, but feel somewhat cold and impersonal.

How can Feng Shui help us in our daily lives?

When viewed along with the traditional styles and schools of building and architecture most familiar in the West, Feng Shui offers a unique and very useful perspective. Originating thousands of years ago in ancient China, Feng Shui has long been used to select locations for, design, and arrange buildings for balance, harmony, and prosperity.

First and foremost, the job of the Feng Shui consultant is to diagnose the quality and type of a location's ch'i . Respect for the natural landscape and sensitivity to the quality of air, water, vegetation, and animal life is paramount, as the fundamental source of life supporting and enhancing ch'i is the earth. The second step is to place the structure so as to take advantage of the intrinsic energies of the site, so that the building will be in harmony with nature as well as the man made components of the immediate environment.

The design of building comes from an understanding of the flow of ch'i within a structure. How the building or interior spaces will feel to the occupants is of prime importance, as a supportive, comfortable environment is essential to ensure the long term "livability" factor of the home, office, or project.

©1999 by Seann Xenja - all rights reserved

More on Feng Shui...

Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway), the ancient Chinese Art of Placement, is the product of thousands of years of study and observation of how people are affected by the location, design, and arrangement of places where they live and work.
How do you feel when you are in your home, office, or retail space? What natural and man-made features do you notice? How do people interact with each other in the various rooms? Are there places where you feel vital and alive, or do you feel stressed and tired? Where do you feel blocked in life, where would you
like to expand?

We normally look to ourselves (or others!) when we feel something is wrong or not happening as easily as it could. In my 15 years of Feng Shui consulting work I'm continually amazed at how much of the stress and problems people experience in modern life is environmentally induced, and can be traced to something as simple as the location and orientation of the furniture arrangement in their office, or the position of the bed they sleep in.

Even the most well intentioned and visually appealing structures and award winning interiors can contain imbalances and design flaws apparent only to the trained eye of the Feng Shui practitioner, who has as his or her resource a comprehensive collection of principles, techniques, and solutions, which have
their origins in a very different world view of how people and their environments interact and influence each other. Through Feng Shui, a building may be located in harmony with the natural and man made landscape and arranged for comfort, security, and vitality, becoming a source of well-being and prosperity for its
occupants.

© 2003 Seann Xenja - all rights reserved