Feng shui is an ancient discipline of Chinese origin that shows us how to develop and shape our living and working spaces to best serve our emotional and spiritual needs. Its theories come from centuries of experimentation and tradition; its philosophies draw from Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and, in modern times, from disciplines as diverse as anthropology, psychology, and geology as the following table shows.

FENG SHUI’S INFLUENCES

Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) recognizes that our environment plays a crucial role in our well-being, and it seeks to help us both maximize our environment’s benefits and minimize the detriments through the careful selection and arrangement of the elements present in it. The goal of feng shui is to influence the effect our environment has on our attitudes, our moods, our health, and our destiny.

Feng shui recognizes that attitude and intention are more like directions of travel than static states of being. Set off on a positive note in the morning, and you’ll find it’s easier to maintain that upbeat mood. When your mood is good, you naturally attract good people and things to you, which in turn further elevate your mood.

Let’s say you want to improve your financial picture. A traditional feng shui remedy for stagnant finances directs you to place several shiny coins on a red cloth in an area of your home that is naturally conducive to thoughts of money. The abundant pile of bright coins triggers associations with prosperity, and the vibrant red cloth works as an intensifier. Red is a universal color of importance: Its presence tells us “pay attention!” Whether we realize it or not, this display of coins on cloth is sending our brains a message. Consciously or unconsciously, we begin to turn more of our energies toward our finances.

Feng shui is:

• A way of understanding the universe: Feng shui draws on  a wealth of philosophies and cosmologies to explain the rela tionship of human beings to their immediate environment, and to the world at large.
• A means of transformation: You can use feng shui to help you achieve your goals and improve any aspect of your life.
• A way to subtly influence your life for the better: Main taining good feng shui promotes peace, health, happiness, prosperity, and good relationships.