I arrived in Madrid 9 months ago, after a long stay in China. For 8 years I dedicated my time and energy to understand and learn how the Chinese integrate Feng Shui into their lives. Upon my return to the West I have encountered a series of concepts and ideas that deserve to be clarified, with the sole intention of preserving the authenticity of this doctrine away from myths or superstition.
Is Feng Shui magic?
Unfortunately when we hear about Feng Shui, sometimes we end up confused, since it has been related to magic and superstition, when it certainly has nothing to do with it; since it is an energy evaluation system backed by formulas, which makes each home or business different and has particular energy characteristics. Sometimes it has been misunderstood that by placing some sphere of light or a source we will obtain a specific result and it is not so, since the placement of objects or elements has to go according to the orientation and the type of energy that exists in certain sector. The mixture of the 3 factors, is what will modify the current energy, not the object by itself.
Can you see it with the naked eye?
Energy is not seen, all living beings perceive energy, humans and also animals and plants. Feng Shui developed a system called flying stars: based on 24 orientations, in which it is possible to evaluate the energy that surrounds us through time. For this, the use of Luo Pan is essential, which is the basic tool of a Feng Shui consultant; without the use of this magnetic compass, the practice is not very effective and therefore the previous schools such as the school of the eight mansions: Ba Zhai that focuses on the 8 orientations, or the use of the Ba Gua map: which is based on the input and assigns specific characteristics to each sector, they have been ruled out in the efficient practice of classic Feng Shui, mainly for not taking into account the time factor.
Does Feng Shui consist of tidying up our home?
Certainly having space free of objects and our house tidy and clean, will be the primary source for energy to flow freely. However, Feng Shui is not needed to know that we must get rid of what we do not use and to keep our home clean, tidy and ventilated.
Is Feng Shui a religion?
Although it is a practice from Taoism, it is one of the branches such as traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition or acupuncture, that, based on the five elements and the theory of Yin and yang, they will conform the Chinese concept of physical and mental well-being.
We are energy in constant motion
Is Feng Shui decorating?
Working on the basis of the five elements results in very cozy and visually pleasing rooms. This is due to the harmonic effect that the combination of colors and elements will generate in our mind and that we perceive through our senses. However, the goal of Feng Shui is not to visually like, but to generate well-being, promote health and help the flow of energy in a way that brings us prosperity and does not stagnate.
Is Feng Shui practiced only once?
We are energy and we are part of a whole in constant movement. Energy is changing all the time, so it is ideal to make adjustments periodically: annually, which is when important changes take place.
Are there good houses and bad houses?
Absolutely all homes or commercial premises have better areas than others, this comes from Yin and Yang, they will complement each other to form a whole. It is true that there are constructions with energy characteristics better than others in general terms; that is to say in a shopping center for example, if the main entrance has a favorable orientation, the businesses that are inside will be benefited, otherwise if it does not have a positive energy at the entrance, the businesses will have more or less the same luck.
With a study of Feng Shui we will know where the favorable energies are and we will identify if they are at the right points to get from there, make the most of them so that the activity that is carried out is backed up with the correct energy.
Does Feng shui go from the general to the particular?
In the study of Feng Shui, the geographic environment is first evaluated using the form school, to see how our housing is protected. From the beginning of history the cities settled near some river and in a valley protected from mountains.
This was the basic principle of Feng Shui, Kwok. By (276-323AC): the energy of the dragon (the mountains) will stop at the water's edge and this will be the geographical point where there is a good Feng Shui. These characteristics of settlement are found in cities with more rapid economic development.
Secondly, with the use of a magnetic compass, the favorable sectors for the development of human relationships, health and prosperity will be detected; and we will use this energy using colors, materials and objects to keep it active.
Is it necessary to modify the decoration style?
In fact, the objects used in classic Feng Shui are very discreet and can go unnoticed or blend perfectly with the decoration, sometimes they don't even have to be in sight.
Today it seems that the trade of these objects has become very profitable and many practitioners have opted to engage in this activity.
However, professors with a good reputation in Asia oppose this, and focus their vision on the practice and teaching of this doctrine, always emphasizing the ethical part of Feng Shui, remembering that the goal is to help people improve their quality of life using real principles and practicing classic Feng Shui without mixing it with other activities.
Feng Shui helps improve the quality of life
Can diseases be cured?
Certainly with a Feng Shui analysis we can understand why a person is presenting certain symptoms, because prolonged exposure to a type of energy that is not favorable to someone, may eventually be reflected in their health.
It is possible to suggest to the person to change of room or of office that are the places where we spend many hours a day and, possibly; if the symptoms still do not turn into illness, you may feel better. It is also possible that we are in a place and we don't like the feeling, we don't sleep well, or we can't work; because a study of Feng Shui gives us the explanation to these situations.
Will we have to change house after a study of Feng shui?
Just as there is a misunderstanding that by indiscriminately placing an object, it will bring or take something away from us, we also sometimes imagine that after a study of Feng Shui we will have to make major reforms or even change our home, because not one thing, not the other. Classic Feng Shui suggests adjustments that would be in the middle of these two exaggerated ideas, always keeping in mind that energy is in motion and that in the medium term things should be readjusted again. Nothing is permanent.
Does it all depend on the position of our bed?
We have already said that classic Feng Shui goes from the general to the particular; whereby by the time we reach the position of our bed, many other aspects that have a greater impact on our well-being will have been evaluated, than the latter.
It does not mean that it does not matter, but in order of priority; It is certainly not near the first.
Leonor Estrada
FSSA member of the British Feng Shui Society, disciple of Grandmaster Raymond Lo