Do you believe in "feng shui"?
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
United States
March 12, 2007 9:09am CST
I'm not so sure I fully understand HOW it works but I do think there is some truth to making your surroundings harmonious!
Here's what Wikipedia says about Feng Shui:
Feng shui (pronounced "fung shway") is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. The literal translation is "wind and water".
Feng shui involves the use of geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological concepts in relation to space and energy flow.[1] It is not simply a decorating style, but a discipline with guidelines compatible with many different techniques of architectural planning.
The source of the term is purported to come from the Burial Book written by Guo Pu (??) in the Jin Dynasty (??). Qi (?), the energy of the universe, is carried in the wind and retained within water. Both elements were used as a way of directing Qi, thus giving feng shui its name. Wind is said to carry energy or Qi and therefore represents the principle of change and transformation in nature. Water is said to hold energy and therefore represents the principle of stability. When applied to human affairs, wind is also representative of action, fervor, and enthusiasm, whereas water is representative of internal strength, meditative qualities, and psychological power. By relating the holding and dispersing qualities of water and wind in nature to those in human behavior, feng shui also seeks to improve the human condition through the manipulation of physical space in a way that will impact on its corresponding qualities in humans.
An individual is usually not described as having bad or incorrect feng shui, but since the practice is linked to Qi, a persons energy can either deplete or add to the energy of his or her surroundings. The space can also effect the individual, especially in matters of luck, health, and prosperity. Feng shui is not only a practice that is related to physical space, but also to the inhabitors of the space it self, as both are interconnected.
4 people like this
21 responses
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
12 Mar 07
It is more a case of "better believe than not" for me. In Singapore, it's quite popular for us to get a Fengshui master to look through our house when we move to a new one. I wouldn't really say it's working that well though..
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
12 Mar 07
I've often wondered if it truly does work. How interesting that people get a master each time they move. Do they explain the technique to you or just do it?
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Mar 07
They definitely wouldn't explain it to you - though they conduct elementary fengshui classes (cost $$$) if you want to learn. The basics are no secret - you can even find them on the web.
2 people like this
@clownfish (3269)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Hi! I don't really believe that any real "forces" can be channelled based on how you place your furniture! LOL I watched the first season of the Lisa Loeb show (guess there won't be a second season) and Ileana Douglas was showing Lisa how to arrange her house according to Feng Shui so she could attract a boyfriend. I don't really believe in that, but I believe that we can be less stressed and more happy when our houses are pleasantly organized and things aren't strewn all over the house. Case in point - my house and me. It looks like a toy store exploded and I'm ready to tear my hair out! LOL :-)
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@clownfish (3269)
• United States
13 Mar 07
My own! LOL And we can't keep the toys picked for anything! We're in the process of creating a play area for her in the basement so we can keep the upstairs toy and clutter free! And save my sanity! LOL It does not feel good to step on a lego at 3AM in dark! :-)
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@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
13 Mar 07
yeah.. but i bet you attract kids! lol
1 person likes this
@kiiizu (1901)
• Estonia
12 Mar 07
The correct answer would be 'perhaps'. I.e. I believe in it, and I don't, I don't believe in it but still, I believe. What I believe in is that a harmonious, well ordered, beautiful surrounding may have a good influence to a person, making him also more harmonious and better organized. Anyway, with some friends we gave each other the feng shui coins as presents, just as a joke. None of us has become a millionaire (but we are on our way to! lol!) but they also haven't done any harm sitting in our wallets.
2 people like this
@tba123 (457)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I like to read feng shui articles and discussions. I think people practice it different ways. Does it work I'm not sure but I do know I used to have some feng shui candles and one had a very calming effect. I know getting rid of clutter in a home is a good thing and practiced in feng shui. So my conclusion is if it doesn't hurt anyone and may possibly help I have no problems trying some of the things they suggest. Thanks for the discussion.
@clownfish (3269)
• United States
13 Mar 07
That's exactly what I was trying to say, only not as well! :-)
1 person likes this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Well see... we all think alike anyways and speak for each other! LOL
I think most people feel that way about Feng Shui to be honest.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Yeah, I agree. I think there are aspects of feng shui that have a lot of truth to it. I've always been a fan of aromatherapy and there are so many calming effects of oils, candles, etc. I'm not so sure there are ways to channel the "powers beyond" into doing what you want but I think your surroundings do play a part in your life and how you react to it, etc. in the sense that perhaps you are more relaxed in a less chaotic atmosphere, etc.
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
13 Mar 07
As far as I can see, the only practical use for Fun Shuei is the emphasis on the lack of clutter in the household. Clutter can cause all sorts of mental difficulties; from lack of direction, to depression. Fung Shuei emphasises decluttering your living space. I also aesthetically appreciate the practice of removing corners. If there is a sharp corner it is supposed to be a hendrence of some sort, and I like the look of a plant in a corner. And just for the sake of it, I put something red in the north of my house. No harm in not trying it. LOL
2 people like this
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
12 Mar 07
No, I think it's a bunch of nonsense to be honest. They did an episode about it on Penn & Tellers BS and they brough in 3 different Feng Shui master to re-arrange their house and each one of them did it entirely differently. If it's supposed to be a fixed set of rules then why did that happen?
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@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
12 Mar 07
I'm not so sure it's really "fixed set of rules" though? Isn't it more of a sense of completion and harmony amongst your things and that would defintely be more of a matter of their style. Almost like an interior designer. Or I might be wrong! LOL
1 person likes this
@thatcrazyqbanita (3312)
• United States
13 Mar 07
In a way yes I do, and in a way I guess it depends on your outlook of things in the first place
1 person likes this
@healwell (1268)
• Ahmedabad, India
13 Mar 07
Feng Shui is chinese way of creating house and directing decoration in the house!
It is really interresting when it shows results after following it! Now so mant people are accepting these recomendations of old knowledge because of relavance and realization! Indian VASTU VIGYAN is also now applying every where in houses and shops and sites!
Indian 'Vastu Vigyan' deals with the land finding and then where to build the house and how? it also suggests that here should be main door and here should be windows! It also helps the owner to coop with so many hidden things which are related with making the house and getting it as a graceful place for living!
Well, to believe in these things are related with individuals believing in and not believing in those things! Practically we saw somant people are following all such with a keenness and faith as well as a effective implimantation!
Who want to comment more regarding scientific and non scientific aproaches connected with bulding contruction and faith based house creation?
@virtualjatin (50)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I very much beleive in feng-shui. i think our atmosphere really has an effect on our mind and body and so on the nature around us. vastu and other things are more complicated than feng-shui and are difficult to apply but feng-shui is very easy to follow and is applicable everywhere.
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
Hello hockeygal, I grew up in a tradtional chinese family and feng shui was very common among the chinese community. I honestly have to tell you that I don't believe in any of it. My friend onced consulted a feng shui expert to check her house. She was having trouble with her business and decided to seek advise from the feng shui master. This feng shui master list down a a lot of things that should be done around my friend's house. My friend had to spend $5,000 for the renovation. Guess what...nothing happened. Her business kept plunging down. It really depends on you if you will believe in feng shui or not. Hiring feng shui master is quite expensive.
@winjzz (157)
• Malaysia
13 Mar 07
In 2003, I've did a case study at a local institute which specialize in real-estate market research and one study which the institute was conducting at the time concern the scientific application of feng-shui on the real-estate industry. What they did was applying logic to feng-shui practices and they found out that the geographical aspect of feng-shui has a lot of truth and logic to it eg. 'Being overshadowed by tall buildings obscures the visibility of the dwarfed company building' etc etc. The study was still in the data collection stage at the time and eventually i lost track on how the study turns out. So bearing that in mind, i would say that i personally 'believe' but not entirely.
1 person likes this
@sunny97384 (5)
• China
13 Mar 07
I believe "feng shui" can change our live surroundings and I interesty it.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Feng Shui helps people harmonize their environment by making their living quarters 'flow' better. It's really all about decorating and decorating in a way that doesn't make them feel trapped, and one that allows the energy of the household to flow better. I definitely believe there is some type of truth to it, I'm just not sure how well it really works. I've never really tried it myself.
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@Squash88 (91)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
I cannot live my life strinctly basing it on theprinciples of fun shui, like if I wear a crtain bracelet, I will encounter goodluck etc. But, yes, I do beleive in some of its principles especially when it comes to architecture and design. It's really so practical sometimes that it doesnt take a staunch beleiver to see the wisdom behind harmoniuos arrangement and placement of things in ones home. But even with the less obvious benefits like, dont place your bed directly behind a wall where the toilet is located on the other side, sounds wise to me.
As with many things in life, we need to use our own judgment and experience to know what will and what will not work in our lives. Thanks for sharing this info:)
1 person likes this
@dyupe_moe (225)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
I don't actually believe it. It's quite popular here in the Philippines. But I don't think it's more of putting positive energy through space manipulation. I think it's more of better interior design.
For instance, it's a feng shui no no to put your staircase directly to your front door, or your good luck will go out the door. Come to think of it, not only good luck will go out but you as well if you fall down the stairs... lol.
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