Enlivening Your Home With Positive Energy
By Awai
Feng shui, an ancient form of art and science, believes that the life of an individual can be affected through positive energy created from balancing the elements in one’s environment. Literally meaning “wind water,” feng shui is renowned for supporting good health and wellbeing and has long been practiced in Chinese culture. Increasingly popular in the West, this ancient science can revitalize one’s life-force and bring greater happiness and prosperity to the home and workplace.
Building Structure
According to feng shui principles, curved buildings are much more beneficial than buildings with sharp corners and angles in cases where corners are unlike the conventional rectangular blueprint for residential structures. Curved buildings avoid sharp angles that could create inefficient dead spaces. Although a lightly curved structure is a lot more interesting, there should be a balance between curves and angles, bearing in mind the importance of maintaining functionality of living spaces.
De-Cluttering to Make Way for Positive Energy
The first and possibly most important step required to welcome good energy into your home is to reduce clutter. An entrance that is clean and clear of obstruction paves the way for good energy to come inside. Items such as shoes, bags and anything that would create energetic blockages should be put away.
Apart from the entrance, excess objects throughout the house should be removed, especially those that are not useful or aesthetically appealing. Reducing the clutter in your house will free up space for new experiences in your life. Everything is energy, and by clearing your space you are making an energetic statement to the Universe that you are in alignment with what is fresh and flowing, as opposed to what is stagnant. By the same token, removing excess objects from your office makes way for new business and thus expanded prosperity. A clutter-free environment has an aura and ambience which is inviting, relaxing and energizing.
Good Air Quality and Airflow
Good natural ventilation and light allow the positive energy accessed by feng shui to flow into your home. The windows should be kept open as often as possible, and one must make sure there is ample natural light and airflow in the house.
Blood circulation is negatively affected by coldness. Poor blood circulation could trigger a stroke during sleep and therefore it is important to maintain a suitable temperature in your bedroom. In particular, the head of the bed should not be near a window so as to avoid drafts that could cause head and neck ailments.
The same applies to air currents generated by air conditioners and fans. Refrain from using these excessively in order to prevent the body from being harmed by drafts. The acupressure points of the shoulder and neck areas are very sensitive to cold air. Many cases of frozen arms and stiff necks are caused by exposure of the shoulder and neck areas to drafts.
In the kitchen, good air circulation will help to dispel any oily smoke from high-temperature cooking. In a research study on cancer in humans that was conducted using populations residing in China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong) and Singapore, there was a clear relationship between exposure to cooking oil fumes and cases of eye irritation and lung cancer.
Feng shui emphasizes the importance of air clarity, and thus smokers are advised never to light up in the bedroom so lingering smoke molecules are not constantly inhaled during sleep. Preferably, the entire home remains smoke-free.
Sick Building Syndrome
“Sick building syndrome” refers to the debilitating symptoms people experience as a result of living or working in buildings that have been constructed with toxic materials. Symptoms that people may suffer range from eye irritation and headaches to lethargy and inability to concentrate.
Often, the syndrome is connected to poor ventilation, which means poor indoor air quality. Building materials continually emit toxins into the air and if fresh airflow is limited, occupants will soon be drowning in an ocean of gaseous pollutants. The heating and/or air conditioning unit often plays a role in sustaining “sick building syndrome.”
This is especially true of semi-sealed buildings, which are often found serving as newer hotels or office buildings. These are the buildings with no windows, and so they lack free-flowing fresh air. All that is available is the stale air continually re-circulated through the air conditioner or heating unit, a situation that often only multiplies and concentrates the toxic effects of the pollutants. Among the factors connected to one’s health and wellbeing, the breathing of good quality air is one of the most critical.
Compared to residential buildings, the problem of ventilation is far worse in office environments for two reasons. Firstly, there are plenty of elements that emit toxins into the air. These include electrical office equipment like photocopiers and printers, as well as carpeting and carpet adhesives, office furniture, air fresheners and more. Secondly, one is often powerless to effect much change in an office.
If you suspect your home has “sick building syndrome,” take immediate action to improve ventilation and let fresh air in. Open the windows. Do not worry about outdoor pollution, as studies have shown that indoor pollution is a more serious concern. Let fresh air circulate and clear your space. Also be sure to let plenty of sunlight in.
Look for possible sources of toxins such as mold, wall-to-wall carpeting, old paint and varnish, a heating or air conditioning unit in need of replacement, and so on, and take action to remove them from your living space.
Feng shui practices are rooted in ancient tradition, based on a commonsense approach to analyzing the immediate environment. Applying these practices in our daily lives sensibly will enable us to live in harmony with our surroundings and the Universe. And when harmonious energy flow is achieved, one will naturally attain good health and happiness.
