About Feng Shui

Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement, is founded in traditional beliefs about the oneness and interrelatedness of all things. Its origins stretch back over 4000 years with its originators believing that to live a harmonious life, one must first embrace this universality.)

The underpinnings of Feng Shui, which means wind and water, are chi, yin and yang, and the five elements: earth, fire, metal, water and wood, and use of the Bagua.

Chi refers to the fundamental energy of the universe. Some would call it the life force or spirit of the universe, but it is critical to remember that inanimate objects contain chi just as living creatures do. In short: chi is everywhere.

Despite its omnipresence, chi is not stagnant. It flows and shifts constantly thanks to the never-ending interaction of opposites: yin and yang. These two aspects represent an infinite number of opposing elements: hot and cold, high and low, active and passive.

Enhancing the flow of chi is the very essence of Feng Shui. Practitioners use their skills to place, move or remove objects that block the flow of chi through structures and landscapes. Through training and increased sensitivity they become deeply aware of the chi of the environment around them.

Feng Shui uses the symbols on the Bagua to enhance clarity, direction and changes that encourage “thinking outside the box” in all areas of your life. There are nine areas of the Bagua: Health, Career/The Path, Knowledge/Wisdom, Community/Family, Abundance/Prosperity, Fame/Recognition, Relationships/Partnerships, Creativity/Children, Helpful people/Travel.
While there is an undeniably mystical element to Feng Shui, it does not require adherence to any specific religious beliefs. In fact, its goals rarely contradict mere common sense. For example, Feng Shui practitioners dislike clutter--largely because it impedes the movement of chi--but on a primal level, we all understand that clutter is distracting, annoying, and in many ways, wasteful.

When chi is flowing properly within a space, then there will likely be water, good lighting, and an otherwise nourishing environment that can support healthy plants and animals. Relatedly, if chi is allowed and even encouraged to move freely, the surrounding land should become more prosperous, nourishing, and energizing.

Blocked chi, however, often manifests as feelings of frustration, lack of focus or motivation, lack of enthusiasm or an inability to succeed. But when the flow of chi is encouraged and improved, health, happiness, and prosperity follow in due course.

A skilled Feng Shui practitioner will use a broad palette. Their tools may include the placement of art, furniture and accessories, as well as home structural features, colors, shapes, lighting, textural and sound characteristics. The very foundation of Feng Shui is the belief that chi can be delicately adjusted in these ways in order to restore positivity and natural vitality to places where stagnation has (or could) cause negative effects.

FENG SHUI LOS ANGELES HELPS YOU ‘GO WITH THE FLOW’ OF LIFE AT HOME AND WORK
By Stacey Kumagai

Stress from disorganization. Negative Energy and Imbalance. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could erase these feelings from your home or office easily with just a little direction? Well the good news is that you can because you can get both the compass and the tour guide when you call Feng Shui Los Angeles.

What the heck is Feng Shui? Feng Shui is not a cult. It is not a religion. It is not voodoo or magic or even interior decorating. It’s a practical technique that was invented by the Chinese, dating as far back to the roots of 2800 B.C. I-Ching symbols which are still part of Feng Shui today. This technique is utilized to transform “CHI” energy within a living or working space to improve prosperity in all aspects of life from family, career, romance, within the community, in health and so forth.

“The need for Feng Shui arises from a vague sense of discomfort or dissatisfaction with one’s own environment. By respecting this flow of energy called “Chi”, resistance can be overcome. Personal preferences are integral parts of Feng Shui. No two environments are the same just as no two people are the same. Each has his or her own flow of energy “Chi”. Its slow integration into western culture has to do with Feng Shui’s positive approach being contrary to society’s obsession with negativity. Feng Shui is about enhancing the life that we are so grateful to have. It is about making healthy decisions for the good of one and all. The power of intention (mindset) is especially important in Feng Shui. Those who believe they can do, and those who believe they cannot, are given a chance to think they can, and they do. Feng Shui embodies compassion and acceptance. We say “You can’t rush the river,” explains Brenda First, Tibetan Buddhist Black Sect Tantric Feng Shui Consultant, and owner of Feng Shui Los Angeles.

Many of today’s businesses and celebrities use Feng Shui for greater success. Feng Shui is even used in city planning, architecture and building like Trump Tower in New York City, MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, White Sox Stadium in Chicago, the set of the TV sitcom series “Dharma & Greg” and for companies like Aveda who make personal care products from nature. Feng Shui means wind and water. However in the technique of Feng Shui five elements are part of are used: Water, Fire, Earth, Wood and Metal.
“Feng Shui offers a positive approach to life and an understanding of conscious living. We all long for a literal compass to life. In Feng Shui this is called the Bagua and is like our modern day GPS. It is an ancient Chinese writing in the form of symbols. The Bagua is a teaching tool for being centered and staying aware of the extremes in conscious and unconscious thinking and doing. It encourages each person to be in synch with the ever changing nature of the universe at their optimum level of consciousness. Environment has an enormous effect on our states of consciousness. Bringing in nature is first. As an orchid grower, I recommend orchid plants as enhancements to any space. Orchid plants are better than cut flowers because they last longer, cost less and bring a sense of elegance, grace and the energy of nature,” states First.

Part of Feng Shui energy bringing nature in, is much like bringing ‘life’ indoors and ‘life’ into your space. Plants not only can be helpful in doing that, they can also help your health, as well as being a friendly reminder, that much like plants, we need air, light, water and food. These elements are healthful to our well-being. Certain plants like English Ivy or Philodendron can help to absorb toxicity in the air.Feng Shui can be applied outdoors – outside of a home or office or even a Feng Shui’d garden, as ideally as it can be applied indoors. It’s all about creating a path of energy.

The term ‘being at one with nature’ and ‘going with the flow’ are more than mere clichés tossed around, they are actual terms for improving one’s life, bettering the energy that surrounds you. While Feng Shui Masters of the world, and those who are in life’s ultimate Zen place, know this is true, sometimes it takes the literal running into a wall (which is blocked energy) to understand how Feng Shui’s applicable teachings really work. First has seen her clients’ challenges bring about openness to the Feng Shui difference.

“The enhancement of clients’ environments allows them to feel less stressed, in the moment and in synch with life. They are ready to explore the endless number of possibilities, practice staying conscious and realize their full potential. Through the client embracing life’s changes comes gratitude and joy, forgiveness and compassion. A spacious environment frees up and inspires creativity and joy for the good of one and all.

Feng Shui Los Angeles is owned by Brenda First. She can be reached at 310.597.9169
For more information go to www.fengshuilosangeles.com