Feng Shui

When it comes to Feng Shui, I think there are generally three groups of people. There are the

Believers, Skeptics and the In-Betweens. In-Betweens are those that are neither Believers but nor

are they absolute Skeptics.

Being in the industry, obviously, I meet people who believe in Feng Shui all the time. But I do

not ignore the fact that like many other metaphysical sciences, is often skeptically perceived by the

public in general.

The problem lies with the fact that there is so much hocus-pocus in this field, that one cannot

help but feel a sense of misconception shrouding the practice. In actual fact, the art, science, study

and practice of Feng Shui is a principled subject and no different to other traditional studies. I think

it is up to the practitioners of this art, the believers, to help put it in a better light. And I believe, the

best way to do this through education.

I asked a group of advanced students once, what they believed to be the definition of Feng Shui.

To my surprise, almost everyone responded with a different definition. It was such a fundamental

question - yet most of their replies were different. Some said that Feng Shui is "an art of

placement", others claimed that it was "about harmony" or "wind and water" and another group

said it was about "living in harmony with nature".

It was interesting experience. It seems, almost everyone has a different 'definition' of Feng

Shui. Even the professionals in this field seem to have different definitions. Not surprisingly, even

the same author, may have different definitions on the subject depending on which book you read!

What exactly is this art? Is it really an art? Or is it a science?

It is because of this lack of understanding that people tend to lose respect for Feng Shui. If even

the professionals don't have a common denominator on what Feng Shui is, then what value is there

in it?

Some of the more common definitions circulating today are:

1. Feng Shui is an Art of Placement

2. Feng Shui is Interior Design

3. Feng Shui is about decorating your house with good luck objects

4. Feng Shui is about living in harmony with nature

5. Feng Shui is about enhancing Wealth

6. Feng Shui is about enriching lives.

Which one of these is correct? Actually, lets start with the wrong ones, it'll make it simpler?

To begin with, Feng Shui is definitely NOT the art of decorating your home with good luck

objects NOR is it the so-called 'art of placement' of furniture and objects. Placement of objects and

items is a new concept introduced and passed off as Feng Shui in the 90s.

In the old days, even though Chinese good luck objects were used by wealthy residents, they

were never used in the context of 'Feng Shui' but always as part of 'culture'. Many people today

confuse 'Culture' with 'Feng Shui', hence confusing the study of Feng Shui.

Secondly, Feng Shui is not about Interior Design. The furniture you buy, the color schemes and

rich marble floors you choose are not part of Feng Shui studies. Arranging furniture and choosing

color schemes are best left to the expertise of an Interior Designer. You would never ask an

architect or a land surveyor to advise you on Interior design concepts. Then why ask a Feng Shui

Master to undertake interior design work? Feng Shui and interior design are TWO different

subjects altogether.

Thirdly, Feng Shui is not about living in harmony with nature either. I find it amusing when

people say, "I want to live in harmony with nature, that's why I practice Feng Shui". If we were to

really try and apply this principle in it's literal sense, it would mean living in the forest; as close to

harmony with nature as possible. I realize this may upset some people, do forgive me if it does, but

this is an example of what is presently being hazily defined as Feng Shui.

While it is true that Feng Shui is about "harmonizing", but the question is ... what is it we are

trying to harmonize?

In order to understand WHAT