I believe that the way we experience our environment and the way we treat ourselves and the people in our lives dictates the life we are creating for ourselves.
We are in constant interaction/manifestation, and the result of what we create (often without thinking) can be both magical and catastrophic. I wanted to talk a little about Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice. You've certainly heard of it and perhaps even apply its principles.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng means wind and shui means water , two elements associated with good health and good luck. It is based on the idea that the earth is a living element full of energy or chi . Basically, it translates into the art of organizing a space and how we position ourselves within it. It starts from a broader view – where the space is located – to a more particular view – the organization of each room in the house, each object, and finally, oneself and others who inhabit the space. It teaches you to achieve balance and harmony between yourself and the spaces.
BAGUA: the energy map
The Bagua is an energy map that dictates the guidelines of Feng Shui. Basically, it dictates connections between different areas of a space and certain areas and experiences in life. There is a Classic Bagua, which uses a compass to define the spaces of the house, and then there is this more modernized and easier-to-use version. That "little door" at the bottom/center of the map represents the entrance to a space. One should orient oneself accordingly.
Basically, with this map, you can align your home with certain principles, focusing on the entrance to a space and applying the same principles to each room individually. Then, consider what you would like to change in your life. Look at where that is in your house. Look around and see what you can change.
This simpler and more modern method of using the front door is incredibly effective and super easy to use. Feng Shui works with macro aspects (the location of a plot of land) and micro aspects (our desk, for example) and anything in between (a particular room). Always use the entrance as a point of orientation.
FENG SHUI in everyday life
Entering your home is a crucial moment: you are investing your energies in the space. Therefore, make sure you enter your home fully present. What doesn't matter stays outside.
Your home should welcome you, but you have to prepare the space for it: is there a place to put your keys? Your coats? And your shoes? (One of the most important things for me! Always leave your shoes at the entrance!). In short, everything we want to be free of when we truly want to enter our home.
Tidy up your house, tidy up your mind. And listen, it's not just about tidying up – it's about making sure there's no accumulated clutter that prevents the good flow of energy. Let yourself be with what really matters.
Light and air, two such important elements! You should have good natural light in your home and make the most of it. You should open the windows and let the air circulate in the space, and have plants throughout the house (yes, even in the bedroom! They help clean the air and improve sleep).
Cleanse the energies with Palo Santo or White Sage . Fire and smoke are among the most powerful elements in cleansing energies. I like to use them in the morning because they help me focus on the energies I want to transmit and receive during my day, and at night to cleanse my space of any negative energies I may have brought into the house.
Relax, breathe, and meditate, especially on days when you feel you're bringing a lot of negative energy home because of work stress or a fight with someone. Cleanse areas of your home with Palo Santo or White Sage ; disconnect from your phone and computer; drink a calming drink to help balance your nervous system; meditate, even if only for 5 minutes, before falling asleep.