20 MINUTES TO MASTER ... FENG SHUI. Simon Brown

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      In writing this book I have taken the aspects of Feng Shui that I have found to be most important in my own Feng Shui consultations and concentrated on explaining these as clearly as I can. This book is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to all aspects of Feng Shui. There are many excellent books on Feng Shui available, and I would certainly recommend reading about the various approaches.

      I have laid out this book in a similar way to my own Feng Shui consultations. First I will explain the principles of Feng Shui, then how to carry out your own Feng Shui detective work and finally I will describe typical Feng Shui solutions.

CHAPTER 1

       CHI

      Oriental medicine and philosophy is based on the premise that along with all the physical aspects of our world that we can see, hear, touch, smell and taste, there is a movement of a subtle flow of electromagnetic energy. In China this energy is called Chi, in Japan Ki, and in India Prana. Ki is sometimes also spelt Qi.

      This Chi flows through our bodies in much the same way as our blood. Along the centre of our body are seven large concentrations of Chi called chakras (see Figure 2). Spreading out from the chakras are 14 large paths of Chi known as meridians. Twelve of these form pairs and flow along each arm and leg. Like large blood vessels, they take Chi to smaller and smaller channels until each cell is nourished by both blood and Chi (see Figure 3).

      Whereas your blood is carrying oxygen and nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, this Chi carries your thoughts, ideas, emotions and dreams in life. You may have had the experience of suddenly having a brilliant idea and immediately feeling physically different all over. Many people describe this as a tingling sensation. I believe the flow of Chi explains why we feel so different physically, depending on our emotional state. The widespread interest in positive thinking provides one way of learning how to influence the quality of Chi flowing through our bodies. If you can train yourself to think about your best characteristics, to plan optimistically for the future and generate feelings of love, then it is this kind of energy that will be nourishing all the cells in your physical body. This could explain why some people have recovered from life-threatening illnesses by changing the way they think.

      One very important aspect is to realize not only that your thoughts and emotions affect the quality of your Chi, and the Chi influences the quality of each of your cells, but also that the quality of your cells influences the nature of the Chi flowing through them, and this in turn influences your thoughts. There is a two-way dynamic (see Figure 4).

      When people come to me for shiatsu, it is usually to treat a physical problem. Yet they are often surprised at how different they feel emotionally after a shiatsu. If during their treatment the flow of their Chi has improved it is natural that this will improve their perception of their current emotional state too. In the end they feel better both emotionally and physically.

      You may have noticed that if you are feeling depressed, then stimulating physical exercise helps change your mood. Similarly, long slow stretches and deep breathing quickly change your mood if you are angry or tense.

      The big difference between Chi and your blood is that, apart from menstruation, ideally your blood stays inside your skin, whereas Chi extends typically 10 centimetres to 1 metre outside your skin (see Figure 2). This makes your own Chi easy to influence. The surrounding Chi mixes with some of your Chi. I notice a big difference between wearing synthetic clothing and clothes made of natural materials, like cotton, linen or silk. The synthetic fabrics carry a small static charge of electricity which in my experience interferes with my own flow of energy.

      Similarly, every building has its own unique movement of Chi. I think of this as the atmosphere of a place. In certain buildings one naturally feels more inspired, energetic and more positive. An uplifting atmosphere. However, the reverse is also true. I find spending a few hours in a large building, such as a modern shopping mall or a hospital, is physically draining and mentally disorientating, whereas when I am out in the country, I can walk most of the day and still feel invigorated and emotionally content. In fact I actually end up feeling better. Wherever you are, your own flow of Chi is constantly being influenced by your surroundings. Modern buildings often use synthetic carpets, synthetic building materials, artificial lighting and air conditioning.

      Not only your clothes and the kind of buildings you are in affect your Chi, but also other people’s Chi, the Chi of the surrounding land, and the type of Chi created by the weather; all influence your own Chi.

      Returning to my original definition of Feng Shui, what we are primarily concerned with is what we can do in a building that will help the occupant’s own Chi flow in a way that will bring on better physical and emotional health. Once we have achieved this, all kinds of possibilities can open up for them. I once described Feng Shui to an acupuncturist friend, as arranging your home so that you are constantly receiving the benefits of an acupuncture treatment. For example, once you have found the ideal location for your bed, those six to eight hours you lie there will actually be enhancing the flow of Chi around your body so that each morning you could awake feeling physically refreshed, emotionally excited about a new day and clear headed.

      On a much broader perspective Chi flows not only throughout our planet, but through the solar system and galaxy. Our own planet generates a large movement of Chi which flows out and away from the planet, called Earth’s Chi. At the same time the surrounding planets radiate energy which travels towards and into the Earth. This energy is known as Heaven’s Chi (see Figure 5). Therefore, the Earth and surrounding planets have the ability to influence the movement of Chi, which in turn influences our own individual movement of Chi. As the position of the Earth, Sun and planets changes, so does the way in which Chi moves. Nine Ki astrology is the art of understanding these large-scale movements of Chi and predicting their effect on a particular person’s energy.

      Whilst Feng Shui is the understanding of how energy moves within a certain space, Nine Ki astrology is the study of how the flow of energy is affected by time. Combined, they provide a complete consideration of both time and space. For this reason, I also carefully consider the Nine Ki astrological implications in my reports. For example, the Orange mobile telephone company employed a Feng Shui consultant not only to help design their offices, but also to advise on the date to begin their UK operation.

      Perhaps the best way to illustrate the movement of Chi would be to imagine zooming away from our planet until you can look down at the Earth. Pretend you can see the air and water moving. Some areas will be calm, some will be experiencing quick, almost violent, movements. Chi moves in similar patterns. One reason why the name Feng Shui, meaning Wind Water, is such a good description, is because the movement of Chi mirrors the kind of movements we see in our own wind and water.

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