Harmony and Balance: Harnessing Feng Shui for Positive Energy Flow

Growing up in Hawai'i, we learn at a very young age to "mālama ʻāina"— the Hawaiian concept of caring for the land and our environment. Mālama ʻĀina is deeply ingrained in the culture of Kanaka Maoli. The connection to the land goes beyond mere ownership; it is a spiritual bond that ties generations together.

Our kūpuna understood the mana (spiritual energy) that flows through the ʻāina and recognized its vital role in our survival. Our parents passed down this wisdom to us, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and respect for our environment.

Our emotional ties to the land go beyond words; it is a feeling of aloha that extends to our family, community, and future generations. By honoring and preserving our connection to the ʻāina, we ensure a sustainable future for all.

My mother used to say, "When people don't mālama the land and leave it lepo (dirty, full of rubbish), nature will eventually take it into her own hands to cleanse it (strong winds, heavy rain, rising seas, earth eruptions—lava)."

He aliʻi ka ʻāina; he kauwā ke kanaka. The land is a chief; man is its servant.

– ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, Kawena Pukui

When I became interested in the concept of Feng Shui over twenty years ago, I was fascinated by how the connection between one's environment and well-being was so interconnected, as practiced by these two cultures. The more I studied Feng Shui, the more sense it made. It resonated with this core value I had grown up with.

Eleven years ago, I was fortunate to meet a wāhine from my community. Cathleen was a Tai Chi instructor and a certified Feng Shui consultant. Her educational career was intriguing, as she had once worked alongside prominent scientists and doctors. She was a wealth of inspiration and knowledge and often shared her thoughts and experiences about crystal energy, Feng Shui, health, physics, and many other points of interest. On Feng Shui, she shared this manaʻo (thought):

"A mysterious binder called chi connects to everyone and everything in the world. We live with this invisible presence that is the innate life force in all seen and unseen manifestations. Understanding that one can embrace and enhance the flow of chi in the environment is the basic premise of Feng Shui. Oh, what a wonderful world we can consciously create!"

Feng Shui is a holistic approach to creating harmony.

The ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui uses energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. This system of laws is the guiding principle for arranging objects in living spaces with the flow of energy, or Qi (also chi or ki), to create balance with the natural world. Because we are part of the natural world, and to establish harmony between you and your environment, one must harness the energy forces of nature.

Embracing the Invisible: The Power of Chi in Feng Shui

The concept of shifting and changing our world to meet our wishes may seem like a lofty and unattainable goal, but the ancient art of placement suggests it is possible. This practice, known as feng shui, has been used for centuries to create harmony and balance in living spaces, ultimately manifesting the desires of its practitioners.

Feng shui is based on the idea that everything is connected and that the energy, or chi, in a space, can either help or hinder the fulfillment of our goals and desires. By understanding how to manipulate this energy through strategically placing objects and furniture, we can create a more harmonious and supportive environment for ourselves.

The principles of feng shui are simple yet profound. By decluttering our spaces, we can clear the way for positive energy to flow freely. One aspect of the practice involves analyzing the layout, furniture placement, color schemes, and decor of space to ensure that energy can flow freely and harmoniously. We can bring balance and peace into our homes by incorporating elements of nature, such as plants, crystals, mirrors, and water features. By arranging furniture in a way that promotes the flow of chi, we can create a balanced, uplifting atmosphere that promotes health, prosperity, and positivity, inviting abundance into our lives.

Baqua Map:

Your environment's

Magic Diagram

Your “front door” is the “entrance quadrant” through which you enter your property, home, office, or any room. Begin here to start mapping out your Baqua. Notice how specific colors represent each direction. You can start by simply implementing these colors for each direction in your area design.

On a broader scale, you can use this ancient practice to promote harmony and balance on your property and attract positive energy. By strategically placing elements such as water features in the north, fire elements in the south, earth elements in the northeast, metal elements in the northwest, and wood elements in the east, homeowners hope to create a harmonious living environment.

Additionally, the home's orientation is an essential aspect of Feng Shui, with the main entrance typically facing south to invite prosperity and abundance. By incorporating these principles into the design and layout of their home, people can create a beautiful space that feels energetically balanced and peaceful.

But feng shui is not just about rearranging furniture or adding plants to an area. It is a holistic practice that involves aligning our thoughts, intentions, and actions with the energy of our surroundings. The chi within your home and office reflects your consciousness. This natural mirror is often either too full or too empty. In Feng Shui, we strive to achieve the ideal balance by paying attention to what the mirror reflects and making adjustments. By cultivating a positive mindset and being mindful of our surroundings, we can amplify the effects of feng shui and start to see real changes in our lives.

Harmonizing your environment for more balance helps you and your family improve decision-making, sleep quality, social interactions, and focus on love, health, and work.

Making a conscious choice to start fresh in our living and workspaces leads to new beginnings, opportunities for growth, and a fresh perspective on life.

Key takeaway #1:

Our actions impact our environment and, in turn, affect our lives. Creating positive environmental changes improves our physical well-being and energy levels. Our living space and bodies are interconnected and influence each other.

Key takeaway #2:

It is important to prioritize self-care and mental health in order to maintain overall well-being. Remember to take time for yourself and prioritize activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Invite vibrant, healthy chi into your home and office with simple Feng Shui methods. These methods can help you quickly identify and correct any imbalance.

Remember, feng shui is not about perfection or following strict rules. It is about creating a space that supports your goals and desires and aligning yourself with the energy of abundance and prosperity. You can manifest your desired life by practicing the ancient art of placement.

After this introduction to the principles of Feng Shui, I invite you to visit my future blog entries highlighting the Baqua and the five Elements.

Try it! In the coming year, let us embrace the principles of Feng Shui and strive to cultivate a harmonious and balanced environment that nourishes our souls and allows us to thrive. Let us set our intentions, make conscious choices, and create a space that supports our growth, happiness, and fulfillment.

May your joyful, positive energy guide you toward a year of prosperity and peace. 🌟🏡💖

E mālama pono a hui hou (take care, until next time),

Reference:

Numerous books on Feng Shui exist. A good Amazon search will uncover some good authors. Some are pretty complex, and others, not so much. The books listed here are in my library, which I referenced often at the beginning of my journey into Feng Shui.

Feng Shui: How to Create Harmony and Balance in Your Living and Working Environment by Belinda Henwood & Howard Choy is an excellent beginner-friendly guide with fun drawings and easy-to-use room sketches.

The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui by Gill Hale. This book is a complex yet detailed and comprehensive guide to Feng Shui, featuring numerous photographs and illustrations.

The Western Guide to Feng Shui for Prosperity by Terah Kathryn Collins. This is a collection of true “rags-to-riches” stories of people from all walks of life who used Feng Shui to enhance their good fortune.