Feng Shui ( Chinese Vastu Shastra )

Feng Shui ( Chinese Vastu Shastra )

What is Feng Shui ?

What is Feng Shui? From where has it emerged ? Many such questions come in the mind.

Feng Shui is the knowledge developed by people of China. Pyramids were created by Egyptians. Both are meant for welfare of mankind. Feng Shui comprises of 2 words Feng and Shui. Feng means water and Shui stands for air in Chinese. This indicates that Feng Shui is based on maintenance of a balance between these two elements of nature. The harmony between water and air renders good health, esteem, fame and good luck. Feng Shui tells us how to keep articles and things in our surroundings according to its size, colour, element, planet and number. The basic principle that must be remembered is that neither the flow of energy in the building should stop nor its velocity be so fast that it leaves the building without benefitting us.

The correction made according to Feng Shui is the most economical remedy for elimination of misfortunes. There is a reason behind it.

Luck is of 3 kinds, 1. Obtained from Earth, 2. Luck earned by own efforts, 3. Luck blessed by heaven (This is the result of deeds of past life or due to planets). In this way the luck is earned by hard work or karma.

There is a general belief that every human being works as hard as he can. The luck obtained from earth is gained from places where you work or reside. This luck can be modified with ease and it can be made completely favourable. Feng Shui is helpful in this respect.

Most profoundly used technique in Feng Shui is the compass method that is based on Loshu and Pakua. It is possible to create an atmosphere or feel of a home in our residence and thus make it more harmonious so as to derive happiness, good health and success in life.

Most of the buildings in China are constructed on the basis of Feng Shui.

Importance of Chi

‘Chi’ is spiritual power of a person. It is also called Sheng Chi. 'Chi' has a predominant role in Feng Shui. 'Chi' is an invisible energy that is found in all living and non-living objects. In non-living objects it gives a special shape to that object while in living creatures this energy is invisible.

Feng Shui maintains that destiny of a person is fixed by his birth but it can be altered by influence of 'Chi'.

Chi is of two types, Live Chi and Dead Chi. Live Chi is positive and beneficial while Dead Chi is negative and harmful.

Chi is universal energy residing in all living creatures. It can be generated by various methods. Water flowing at slow speed makes 'Chi' available in abundance. Due to this reason when we spend some time near a lake, river, pond or fountain, we feel energetic. Similarly air flowing at a slow speed brings 'Chi'. On the other hand heavy winds or storms take 'Chi' with them just as heavy rains takes various objects with it. As 'Chi' goes away, luck also goes.

Any job done with skill generates 'Chi'. Similarly when a good musician creates music or a good athlete displays his performance, Chi is generated. Nature produces Chi almost continuously, Beautiful surroundings such as majestic mountains and green plains generate Chi. An enthusiast of 17th century has described Chi as beautiful mountains, pure water, good sunshine, slow wind and light of dawn in sky, all these have Chi. Its company opens eyes, joy is felt in lying or sitting. The Chi is gathered in aromas. The light twinkles in the middle and there is splendour in every direction.

This Chi can rot due to inactivity. A polluted pond creates negative Chi that destroys lady luck. Therefore we should promote positive Chi as much as possible in our apartment for increase in life energy. Chi is life energy of living beings, good surroundings, motion of Sun, Moon, climate and human endeavour. In China, Chi energy is absorbed into body by clapping of hands and feet. When Chi becomes excessive, its inflow is stopped by acupuncture needles.

In China, unbalanced Chi is corrected by herbs. A heathy mind is refined by Yoga. Every brush stroke of a Chinese artist and wavy writing by calligrapher's pen are the result of correct technique of breathing and reaction of a trained mind.

The purpose of Feng Shui is to develop an environment where Chi may flow smoothly so that mental and physical fitness may be maintained. A house where Chi flows with ease and without any hindrance, its residents live in harmony and their life is serene. When Chi's flow is slow , problems crop up. An office where Chi flows unhindered, its employees are happy and helpful, all projects are completed in time and stress remains absent. Where Chi's flow remains stopped, harmony goes away and trade does not make progress. In China it is called 'Chi'', in Japan 'Ki' and in India it is known as energy.

A place where Chi of both types is absent, Sha is present. Shar is negative, harmful and evil.

Yin and Yang

Chi is composed of Yin & Yang. These two are universal energies of opposite nature. Any one of these energies cannot survive without the other such as day without night, male without female.

Chi is divided in 2 parts :

·         Yin

·         Yang

This is a circle. The 2 tadpoles like fish in it are symbols of universe.

One tadpole is black and has a white dot while the other tadpole is white and has a black dot. These dots indicate that Yin has some amount of Yang and Yang contains some Yin. Yin is a symbol of black and Yang of white.

Yin : Yin energies symbolize Earth. Yin is female, full of darkness and inactive. This is negative energy of universe.

Yang : Male, full of light, active. This is positive energy of universe.

Both of these are mutually opposite to each other but also incorporate elements of the other one. Yin has micro light and Yang contains micro dark. In this manner both are dependent on each other. Energy object in universe is made up by combination of Yin and Yang. These energies also continue to react with each other.

When Yin and Yang maintain a balanced ratio, the atmosphere is harmonious and proper. Yang symbolizes heat and South direction while Yin indicates cold and North. Balance of Yin and Yang gives peace and prosperity to a building.

This whole circle indicates a balanced universe , whether Yin is excessive or Yang. Night is followed by morning. Spring and summer come after winter. In the same manner a human being must maintain harmony in life by keeping a balance in Yang and Yin

·         Yin Yang

·         Woman Man

·         Negative Positive

·         Soft Hard

·         Follower Leader

·         Dark Light

·         Night Day

·         Valley Mountain

·         Below Above

·         Negative Energies Positive Energies

·         Winter Summer

·         North South

·         Stagnant water Flowing water

·         Earth Sky

·         Broken Line Perfect Line

·         Round Square

·         Light Colors Dark Colors

·         Moon Sun

·         Body Soul

·         Round Curtains Pointed Curtains

·         House Office

·         For Dead Persons For Living Persons

·         Inside Outside

Feng Shui is based on harmony between 5 elements. If elements are amicable with one another then the building or residence is lucky and joyous, otherwise adverse results are likely.

Correct use of Feng Shui can make every object favourable. Five elements are related to directions and metals. Strength of these elements may vary according to change in climate.

The Five Elements

Everything in this world is made of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. The Chinese people believe that every person is influenced by these elements according to his date of birth and year of birth.

These 5 elements also create or destroy other elements.

The use of these elements must be balanced. When an element becomes too much strong or weak, problems crop up.

Elements move in a circle like a wheel and help one another. For example Water generates Wood. Wood produces Fire. Fire creates ash or Earth. Earth gives Metals. Liquid Metals are like Water.

When this wheel moves backwards, destruction follows. It is essential to know how these elements create or destroy one another.

The year of birth of a person decides which element is important for him. Matters related to that element predominate the life of that person. Further, these elements have a specific size. Every element has a distinct identity, direction, colour, season, animal, characteristics and personality.

The basis of use of 5 elements in Feng Shui is Chinese Astrology. Every person can identify the elements in his birth chart as Time, Day , Date and Year of Birth are related to elements. These elements are related to one another according to following cycles.

  ·         Productive Cycle   ·         Destructive Cycle

Productive Cycle

As shown in diagram Wood generates Fire, i.e. fire is produced by burning of wood. Fire creates Earth as by burning of wood ash (earth) is produced. 

Earth creates Metal as metal is obtained by digging of earth.

Metal produces Water because when metal is melted it becomes a liquid. Water produces wood because a tree is grown by irrigating it by water.

Destructive Cycle

In destructive cycle wood destroys Earth because trees are grown on earth. They extract all minerals and makes land barren.

Earth destroys water as soil takes all water. Water destroys Fire. Fire destroys Metal as it melts the metal.

Metal destroys Wood as sharp metallic instruments cut the trees.

It is essential to understand these cycles for proper use of Feng Shui.

1.     Wood Element

Direction : East

Season : Spring

Colour : Green

Size : Rectangular

Animal : Dragon

Virtue : Help to others

Quality : Dedication, Loyalty

Planet : Jupiter

Personality

Wood is creative. Wood oriented persons are creative and energetic. They make many schemes. Impressive personality, interest in arts, full of enthusiasm and success are other traits. Such persons are imaginative.

Weak points : They are short tempered and lack in patience. They do not complete the work undertaken.

Abode

Plants, trees, wooden furniture, ships, wooden planks, cane furniture, flowers, leaves, poles, green colour, paper, landscape painting, green clothes.

2.     Fire Element

Direction : South

Season : Summer

Colour : Red

Size : Triangle

Animal : Phoenix

Virtue : Good character and rectitude

Quality : Skill in arguments and logic

Planet : Mars

Personality

Fire gives enthusiasm and energy. Due to this reason Fire oriented people are leaders. This element gives glory. Such people are active. They encourage others to follow them. They like justice. All this is valid only when this element is present in appropriate quantity. Its excess changes personality. They become critics, use foul language, are quarrelsome and envious.

Abode

Sunlight, lamp, oil, electrical goods, candles, fire, domestic animals, wild animals, violent animals, geyser, statue, stone statues, corner articles, arrows, red things.

3.     Earth Element

Direction : Middle

Season : Unchanged

Colour : Brown, Yellow, Orange

Size : Square

Animal : Bull

Virtue : Belief

Quality : Honesty

Planet : Saturn

Personality

Earth gives stability, confidence and understanding. It indicates patience, honesty, faith and a balanced personality. Persons of this element are kind hearted and responsible. They show courage in difficulties. They possess sixth sense. However when they have excessive Earth qualities, they become obstinate.

Abode

Stones, square shape, cement, bricks, straw, clay articles, flower pots.

4.     Metal Element

Direction : West

Season : Winter

Colour : White

Size : Circular

Animal : Panther

Virtue : Justice

Quality : Plain speaking

Planet : Venus

Personality

Metal is an element of trade and financial success. Metal persons are religious, they follow principles, have serious thinking. They do not accept help easily. They are tough, plain speaking people. They can be aggressive. They possess business acumen that can make them clever and wicked.

Abode

All metals, domes, metallic things, doors, kitchen utensils, white and grey things, silver articles, crystals, mild and light colours, metallic statues, watches.

5.     Water Element

Direction : North

Season : Winter

Colour : Black, Blue

Size : Irregular, Oval

Animal : Tortoise

Virtue : Intelligence

Quality : Firmness

Planet : Mercury

Personality

Water persons are communicative, diplomatic, flexible and dependable. They are artistic, sentimental and understand feelings of others. They are fond of music, kind hearted and imaginative. They possess sense of humour and a versatile talent. They impress people easily. However, excess of these traits gives extreme thoughts. Mood may be unstable. They could be cowards, nervous and tense.

Abode

Rivers, falls, ponds, lakes, blue-black colour, mirrors, glass, fish tanks, pictures of water, fountains, glass bottles, money plant, crystal, house of varying height, transparent things.

Power of Feng Shui

Feng Shui works mysteriously. It is not essential that the desired objective may be attained every time but energies are made dynamic for attainment of goals. A discussion with Feng Shui expert is useful. He can guide properly. The methods must be followed carefully. Changes in only one direction are desired at one time. After few days, work on another direction may be started.

1.      Wealth

The upper-left quadrangle belonging to South-East is related to wealth. This area is useful for improvement in financial position.

2.      Fame

The South is the direction of fame. The upper-middle quadrangle is related to fame and indicates esteem and status in society. This quadrangle should be energised for being famous.

3.      Marriage

The South-West quadrangle adjacent to Fame indicates marriage and intimate relationships.

Persons desirous of developing an existing or new relationship should activate this quadrangle.

4.      Family & Health

Family and Health are indicated by the Eastern quadrangle below the Wealth. This area should be activated if there are problems in the family or if a family member is sick. This area is also suitable for keeping medicines for first aid as this quadrangle indicates family in a broad sense.

5.      Children

The Western quadrangle signifies children and adolescents. Apart from it, this area indicates creativity. This area should be developed for birth of a child or for solving children's problems. This place is ideal for doing creative work.

6.      Knowledge

Quadrangle in North-East indicates knowledge. This is situated below Family and Health area. This place is ideal for keeping books or for studies. For success in education this place must be activated.

7.      Job & Business

This quadrangle is situated in North. If it is desired to make the office at home, this area is ideal.

8.      Benefactors

The North-West quadrant is meant for well wishers. New projects can also be started in this area.

9.      Fortune

The centre of Pakua is called by different names such as Auspicious centre or Intellectual place, Chi Centre or Happiness Area.

Chi collected here, spreads to other areas of house. This place is ideal for any collective work where assembling of family members is required. Therefore this place must be lighted well for accumulation of Chi.

This miraculous Pakua is put on the diagram of house in such a manner that it's lower part represents the main door of house. By the help of Pakua, areas suitable for work or rest etc. are identified.