Dispelling Misconception Around Feng Shui

1. How Does One Pronounce Feng Shui And What Does It Mean? 

Pronounced 'fung shway' it means “Wind & Water”. Wind and water contain currents of energy (chi) which move and change all the time. When energy flows in a soft meandering fashion it’s healthy and brings new growth. When the flow is too forceful (YANG) it is considered rushing chi and can be dangerous and doesn’t allow the chi to settle i.e. storms, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. When the flow is too slow (YIN), it is considered stagnant and very little can grow, it is barren. Originally, Feng Shui was passed down from Father to Son as an oral tradition or was performed by a Priest and virtually kept secret among the elite.

2. Is Feng Shui A Decorating Tool?

Feng Shui has very little to do with one’s personal taste or style. There are Feng Shui consultants who are also interior designers and Feng Shui can help with choosing - supportive, nourishing & power colors using your Personal Natal Chart. There’s a part of Feng Shui in which consultants look at the size of the space and appropriate size furniture in the room but never judge one’s personal style.

3. Feng Shui Is Not A Religion Nor Does It Contradict One's Faith And Beliefs.

 
Feng Shui is considered a SCIENCE. Feng Shui works with geography, the layout of a home, architecture, space, shapes, color, symbol, metaphor and the individuals occupying the environment (personal charts). Feng Shui works with the 5 Element Theory, the same science acupuncturists use to balance the human body. Feng Shui is considered “Acupuncture for the home”, bringing harmony, raising the chi (energy), enhancing the positive, while diminishing the negative, minimizing leeks and stagnant energy.

4. Can Feng Shui Make My Life Perfect?

 
Feng Shui does not promise a magic bullet however, it clearly is an arrow that points one in a new and healthy direction. Feng Shui enhances the areas you want to improve upon such as, career, health, wealth, relationships, communication, creativity, fame (your gifts & talents), reputation, travel & the helpful people (friends & clients) and referrals one attracts in life.

5. Where Does Feng Shui Come From?

 
China, India, Tibet and Europe all have their version of Feng Shui. It is as old as 5000 years and has many schools of thought. The most ‘user friendly’ is the Tibetan Black Hat School of Feng Shui. I also study Compass/Form Feng Shui and the “Flying Stars.”

6. Will Feng Shui Find Me True Love? 

Maybe. Although there are no promises and Feng Shui cannot change one’s karma. It can affect your good luck. I have witnessed first hand Feng Shui enhancing one’s experience around relationships! I’ll be happy to share personal stories with you.

7. How Does Feng Shui Work?

• 3 Transcendental Cures magnetizes the energy to you that you focus upon, similar to setting goals in one’s life only much more powerful! Where do you put your intention?
• 4 Cardinal Rules removes stagnant chi (energy) and creates positive flow.
• 5 Element Theory creates harmony by adding the balance of the 5 elements.

8. What Is The 5 Element Theory?

 
Although involved, there is simplicity to this theory. Fire, Earth, Metal, Water & Wood are the 5 elements. When these are in balance in the environment, harmony is present and palpatable. This theory is century years old and can take years or a lifetime to learn. Example; If there is too much water element in a room, a kitchen for instance - refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, etc. and the stove (fire element) competes with all the water putting out the fire (passion, nourishment to the family) the cure would be to add the wood element to create a “shen cycle” (see Feng Shui definitions) which would then heal the water squelching the fire (passion). Shen cycle is when 3 elements in a row are represented around the 5 Element Theory Wheel. This is most auspicious. Water, wood & fire follow each other in a shen cycle. So adding the wood (absorbing some of the water element) cures the over abundance of water and brings more balance to the kitchen.

9. Why Do Feng Shui Books Contradict One Another? 

There are many schools of Feng Shui. Because Feng Shui incorporates so many systems, geography, aesthetics, philosophy, ecology, interior & exterior design psychology, physics and Chinese astrology, there are many ideas to consider. This can be overwhelming and confusing to the layman. Besides the 3 Transcendental Cures are only ever shared orally as the tradition is given. These cures are never written in books.

10. Why Would I Hire A Feng Shui Consultant When I Can Read A Book?

 
Feng Shui Consultants are trained, like any professional. It is said that Consultants are “Feng Shui detectives” and put on their “Feng Shui glasses” to search for problematic areas in the environment - business, garden, office or home. For centuries this sacred information was passed down orally and many cures are still not written in books. The most sacred part of Feng Shui is still only given orally by consultants. Placing coins in the money area of the Bagwa (the Feng Shui map and template) is only 50% of Feng Shui. Adding the most sacred principles of Feng Shui enhances the area focused upon 150% by using the 3 Transcendental Cures along with the placement.

By: Cheryl Oed, Feng Shui Consultant

Link: http://www.touchalchemy.com/fs/cMisconcept.html

EXERCISES


PART 1. Directions: Please answer the following questions after reading the text.

1. How does the Author define feng shui?
2. What are the things that is usually associate with this word? Why?
3. Do you believe in feng shui?
4. Have you ever try to use/ follow feng shui?
5. Why do you think is the purpose of the author in writing this article?

PART 2. Directions: Please fill the following bubbles with words that are common misconceptions about "feng shui."