History Of Feng Shui
Feng Shui is an ancient Science that has its roots in the Chinese Way of viewing
the Universe. Feng Shui influences have space and time concepts in dimensions.
Feng Shui is a complex subject that requires deep knowledge of Chinese metaphysical
sciences. From the Chinese Earth, there arise a thousand rich aromas, the most
fascinating of which are its divinities and metaphysical sciences. Feng Shui is
the art and science of living in harmony with your living space such that one
derives the greatest benefits, peace and prosperity from being in perfect
equilibrium with Nature. According to the ancient Chinese, location and orientation
in space are of utmost significance. Feng Shui seems to be representative of
Chinese Science in the same manner that the electromagnetic spectrum is representative
of Western Science. Feng Shui is known to be an invisible flow of energy that
waft through the earth and the sky, floating in the waters, carried along by a
gentle breezes, bringing abundant happiness and prosperity wherever it circulates
and settles. It is said that the placement of our residence, workplace, and the
objects and possessions with which we surround ourselves can affect our attitudes
and even our psyche. Chinese folklore and mythology teach us that such influences
shape a person's behaviour and outlook toward the harmony or disharmony, the
friendly and unfriendly, the good or the bad.
Acknowledging the efficacy of time dimension Feng Shui begs some questions. If
Feng Shui luck does change over time, how does one explain the extravagant claims
of certain texts that promise great wealth for present and the future generations.
The Chinese folk art of arranging objects to enhance harmony and good luck, called
feng shui. This ancient knowledge enables us to seek peace and new growth through
our relationship with the objects around us. In the Western tradition, it is
sometimes called geomancy.
Literally, Feng Shui means Wind and Water. Wind and Water together express the power
of Nature's flowing elements and its effects on surface landscapes. The phrase
'wind and water' symbolizes 'wind ascending to the top of a mountain' and 'water
rising to its crest,' which in concert orient a person's attitudes and actions toward
success. The origins of Feng Shui are to be found in ancient astronomy, geographical
lore, philosophy, and the system of divination found in the I Ching, or Book of
Changes. The flow of energy is known as Chi that moves through the human body and
the environment, invisible and unnoticed, yet ever potent. It has the similarity
like the radio waves, telephone signals, radars, magnetic field… This Chi is
mysterious inner energy which gives strength and soul to mankind. These special
ingredients gave birth to the fundamental Feng Shui concept that the arrangement
of objects in auspicious locations will cause the mysterious heavenly forces to
align with people or things on earth, bringing good luck to wise practitioners of this art.
Feng Shui masters mentioned that the rise and fall of dynasties due to their
conviction of the time element in Feng Shui practice should not be ignored.
The Chinese people have always believed in Feng Shui, except to those whose
knowledge of exposure is limited. Feng Shui is sometimes taken as superstition.
The ancient Chinese also believed that harmony and balance in life come from
sources both internal and external to the individual, and reasoned that such
influences could increase or decrease, a person's chances of success in life.
In reality, it is meant to create a positive and friendly environment in which
a person may live in harmony both at home and at work.
There is a certain amount of mysticism surrounds the practise of Feng Shui
and it needs the understanding to have acceptance of fundamental theories
about the Universe. The landscapes and environments have its symbolic
representations. Traditionally, a knowledgeable Chinese Feng Shui practitioner
is also a competent astrologer and an expert in divination. It is also
important to know that there are different levels of awareness in Feng Shui;
the spiritual and the intellectual must both be present. If in search of a
practitioner, you should be careful to choose someone with integrity and
high moral standards. Basic instincts and good judgment is needed before
engaging an expert to advice you. Theory of Feng Shui can be studied for
books but the practical applications of Feng Shui journeyed down the centuries
by word of mouth, passed on from generation to generation. Understanding of
its fundamentals, access to its formulas and with experience that allow a
meaningful and correct interpretations of its guidelines and practice.
In ancient China, it is known that only the rich and privileged classes had access
to Feng Shui knowledge. Feng Shui was the exclusive domain of the Imperial family
and the mandarins who enjoyed the emperor's partronage.The art of Feng Shui has
been practiced in China and other Asian countries for many centuries. Never expect
to become an expert overnight. With each gain of a little knowledge, even at the
beginner's level, may save you the complications and unnecessary expense of
seeking out an expert.
Traditional Feng Shui masters are trained in exterior Feng Shui as well as the
interior Feng Shui. The masters studied countryside, towns, villages to learn
about the good sites and how to avoid bad ones. These studies will broaden
their knowledge of Feng Shui theory, mythology, folk sources, prevailing winds,
astrology, the I Ching and the different types of sites uses (religious,
residential, institutional and so on) are essential. For the time dimension
theory, the characteristics of Feng Shui for a dwelling or work place can and
does change over time, then surely the Feng Shui attributes of an ancestral
home would generate changing fortunes for future generations? Viewed from such
a perspective, the philosophical underpinnings of the time dimension theory of
Feng Shui would seem wholly consistent with this most basic tenet of the o
rigins of Feng Shui ideology. The interior Feng Shui we will study here is
based upon the same principles and practices, but should be a bit less strenuous!
Practitioners of this interpretation suggest symbolic objects to enhance life
situations. In the real application of this interpretation there is the emphasis
on "intention", including the use of "transcendental cures and practices",
visualisation, mudras and mantras to activate the remedies. The five elements
are also assigned to the "designated or fixed areas". Also, this interpretation
of Feng Shui does not include any understanding of directional energy which is
intrinsic to how the life force energy will flow in a building. Directional
influence has always played a large part in how Feng Shui influences will be
arranged in a building. Even in nature, we follow the awareness of directional
energy. For instance, if we want to talk to someone we turn to face them. If
we want to lay out the furniture in our homes we orientate it to a direction
according to the room. This is why Feng Shui is called the art of "placement".
A Chinese Feng Shui compass have six, nine, twelve, or more of these concentric
information bands, depending on the school or method of the individual practitioner.
Of prime importance are the basic 360 degree demarcations sectors (generally known
as the twenty-four mountains), and the eight cardinal directions, represented by
the bagua, the eight basic trigrams used in I Ching divination. Also included in
the formation bands and corresponding to the various directional sectors on the
compass face are: two ancient Chinese numerical systems, the Ten Heavenly Stems
and the Twelve Earthly Branches, used in combination for counting time (hours,
days, months, and years); the Five Elements; and the twenty-eight constellations
or star lodges recognized by Chinese astrology.
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Feng Shui For Beginners
