Feng Shui

I love the concept of Feng Shui. In fact, I feel it intuitively and have for years. Without even realizing it, I was creating space and energy flow.

Let me tell you a little bit about Feng Shui as I understand it.

According to the book, Your Golden Journey, Feng Shui originated in China almost six thousand years ago. Its literal translation is “wind-water,” and it is the study and understanding of energy (qi). It is an ancient method used to optimize space in homes and businesses to bring happiness, abundance, and harmony. Feng Shui views architecture in terms of “invisible forces,” known as qi, that bind the universe, earth, and humanity together. It is the placement of objects in relation to the flow of qi.

The principle is the same for the spaces you occupy. Karen Kingston, in her book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, describe them as boxes. To understand your living room, you must look at the bigger container of your house and your neighborhood. Feng Shui experts use the old lo pan compass (the oldest compass) to read this space as it pertains to the larger container of the stars and planets. It’s fascinating to understand how energy works in space. When we have too many things occupying one space, or things that aren’t being utilized, this creates a blockage of energy flow. Feng Shui practitioners refer to this as clutter.

A simple technique in this tradition is often referred to as clutter clearing.

As one of my favorite books on this topic, Karen Kingston describes and maps out how to clear clutter and understand how unused items block the flow of qi in your space. In this system, clearing clutter is one aspect of organizing space to create energy flow. Understanding space reflects specific aspects of our lives. By clearing and shifting physical items, we can create a flow in different areas of our lives. These include prosperity, family, wisdom, reputation, health, career, love, creativity, and friendships.

Why do people have trouble letting go of things? What is the benefit of letting go?

There are so many practical and emotional reasons that we hold on to things. It was expensive…I might need it in the future…Someone I love gave it to me. When we let go of things and remove clutter, we open up space for new energy in these aspects of our lives. The process of releasing invites lightness, happiness, and new beginnings. It always gives back. Clearing your unloved, unused clutter is one of the most liberating and powerful practices.

When we begin to implement this in our lives - the practice of observing space as having a flow of energy, seeing how it reflects in your life, skillfully letting go of things - we begin to feel lighter in our emotions, liberated. The more we practice clearing clutter, the better we become at seeing where we can let go of things that no longer serve us in life.

For more information about Feng Shui and letting go, please see www.dianachristinson.com.