In-Betweens are those that are neither Believers but nor are they absolute
Skeptics.
Being in the industry, obviously, I meet people who believe in Feng Shui all
the time. But I do not ignore the fact that like many other metaphysical sciences
is often skeptically perceived by the public in general.
The problem lies with the fact that there is so much hocus-pocus in this field,
that one cannot help but feel a sense of misconception shrouding the practice.
In actual fact, the art, science, study and practice of Feng Shui is a principled
subject and no different to other traditional studies. I think it is up to the
practitioners of this art, the believers, to help put it in a better light.
And I believe, the best way to do this through education.
I asked a group of advanced students once, what they believed to be the definition
of Feng Shui. To my surprise, almost everyone responded with a different definition.
It was such a fundamental question - yet most of their replies were different.
Some said that Feng Shui is "an art of placement", others claimed
that it was "about harmony" or "wind and water" and
another group said it was about "living in harmony with nature".
It was interesting experience. It seems, almost everyone has a different 'definition'
of Feng Shui. Even the professionals in this field seem to have different definitions.
Not surprisingly, even the same author, may have different definitions on the
subject depending on which book you read! What exactly is this art? Is it really
an art? Or is it a science?
It is because of this lack of understanding that people tend to lose respect
for Feng Shui. If even the professionals don't have a common denominator on
what Feng Shui is, then what value is there in it?
Some of the more common definitions circulating today are :
1. Feng Shui is an Art of Placement
2. Feng Shui is Interior Design
3. Feng Shui is about decorating your house with good luck objects
4. Feng Shui is about living in harmony with nature
5. Feng Shui is about enhancing Wealth
6. Feng Shui is about enriching lives.
Which one of these is correct? Actually, lets start with the wrong ones; it'll
make it simpler?
To begin with, Feng Shui is definitely NOT the art of decorating your home
with good luck objects NOR is it the so-called 'art of placement' of furniture
and objects. Placement of objects and items is a new concept introduced and
passed off as Feng Shui in the 90s.
In the old days, even though Chinese good luck objects were used by wealthy
residents, they were never used in the context of 'Feng Shui' but always as
part of 'culture'. Many people today confuse 'Culture' with 'Feng Shui', hence
confusing the study of Feng Shui.
Secondly, Feng Shui is not about Interior Design. The furniture you buy, the
color schemes and rich marble floors you choose are not part of Feng Shui studies.
Arranging furniture and choosing color schemes are best left to the expertise
of an Interior Designer. You would never ask an architect or a land surveyor
to advise you on Interior design concepts. Then why ask a
Feng Shui Master to undertake interior design work? Feng Shui and interior design
are TWO different subjects altogether.
Thirdly, Feng Shui is not about living in harmony with nature either. I find
it amusing when people say, "I want to live in harmony with nature, that's
why I practice Feng Shui". If we were to really try and apply this principle
in it's literal sense, it would mean living in the forest; as close to harmony
with nature as possible. I realize this may upset some people, do forgive me
if it does, but this is an example of what is presently being hazily defined
as Feng Shui.
While it is true that Feng Shui is about "harmonizing", but the question
is... what is it we are trying to harmonize?
In order to understand WHAT really Feng Shui is, one needs to refer to the
old manuscripts. The Chinese have five categories of study in the world of Chinese
Metaphysics - (known as the Chinese Five Arts - Wu Shu), Feng Shui is classified
under physiognomy of the living environment. The Five Arts are Mountain, Medical,
Divination, Destiny and Physiognomy. Physiognomy refers to observation of appearances
through formulas and calculations in
order to assess the potential and outcome of a person, or in this case, the
out come of a person living in a certain property.
Feng Shui is therefore an art of "assessing" the quality of life
through observations and analysis of the persons' living environment. Feng Shui
in the old days was known as "Kan Yu" (the observation of the forces
between Heaven and Earth). Only towards the end of the Qing Dynasty did the
term "Feng Shui" come to be used unanimously to represent "Kan
Yu". Feng Shui today is seen as many things from interior design, house
decorating, fashion jewelry and village type superstition.
In hopes of doing justice to this art, I hope I am able to help you better
understand how the true form of Feng Shui is not and never will be a fashionable
idea. Feng Shui is an etaphysical science where one learns to recognize and
tap into the Qi (cosmic energies) of the living environment to help the many
endeavors in life. The study and presence of Qi, is today recognized by Western
medical doctors when it comes to acupuncture and acupressure. Feng Shui is about
Qi in the living environment and how to go about harnessing it. Not only do
we want to harness it, we also want to use it to help specific goals in our
everyday lives. Since Qi is a natural phenomenon of the living environment,
it is rarely 'generated' by man made objects like decorative items, and designs.
The second aspect of Feng Shui is that it is also a form of "forecasting".
The nature of Qi is cyclical and as such, can be calculated. Practitioners of
Feng Shui have learnt to assess outcomes based on the influence of Qi upon a
particular living environment. The "predictive" and forecasting part
of Feng Shui is often neglected or unknown to many practitioners today.
If you know the types of Qi that will affect the environment in certain months
of the year, one can prepare for the best or worst of the situation. Making
informed decisions are in fact, part of both Chinese Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology.
I hope this article has helped you understand the definition of Feng Shui better.
Approach Feng Shui with an open mind. Have a "goal" in mind when practicing
Feng Shui. After all, Feng Shui is about harnessing the Qi in your living environment
to help you achieve your goal. But it is not a miracle cure as it only represents
1/3 of the Cosmic factor that influence our lives. (The other two being Destiny
and the Human factor).
For Feng Shui courses in Ä°stanbul please look at www.fengshui-istanbul.com. or mail me for more information. humeyra70@hotmail.com
thank you
Humeyra Tumay
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By
humeyra70 20.2.2007
