Feng Shui This
Peace, calm, serenity, balance all states of mind and body we strive to experience in the midst of our demanding, high-stress lives. We need and expect our homes to offer the kind of sanctuary that allows us the prospect of achieving such states of well-being. Not possible in 21st. century America? Well there are a number of contemporary architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and furniture designers who think otherwise.
They subscribe to the principles of Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese discipline that incorporates both science and art. Classical Feng Shui, literally meaning wind and water, was the study of the balance struck in nature by the forces of heaven and earth. With proper balance came positive energy flow, the deflection of harmful energies and the creation of harmony between earth, human life and the heavens.
Feng Shui has come to be a discipline that studies the relationship between man, nature and the environment that man builds for himself. By understanding these relationships architects and designers who apply the principles of Feng Shui are given the intellectual tools to create homes and work places that are healthy, harmonic spaces.
Whether you build a home from the ground up that incorporates the principles of Feng Shui or apply the concepts in the design of a retreat within your home or garden, there is one factor that is of paramount importance. The flow and containment of energy (ch'i) in the house, room or garden space is determined by orientation, layout and placement, and the qualities of that energy determine the well being of the individuals within. Such things as the orientation to a particular compass point, the height of ceilings, the configuration of rooms, the placement of windows and doors, the arrangement of furniture and accessories, the use of color well all affect the flow of energy and therefore the harmony within the space.
For those who are interested in obtaining more information about Feng Shui, Alice suggests checking your local library, bookstore or online information. There are a number of books in print on the subject. Many magazine articles have appeared in the last few years and there are a number of Web sites dedicated to promoting interest in Feng Shui.
Source: © Alice Dahlgren's AtHome Newsletter
