feng shui

Living in Balance with Feng Shui (part II )
Jami Lin
Feng Shui Ecpert and Licensed Interior Designer

<go to part I

I always recommend having a balanced bag of all of the elements represented for two reasons. One: when you have all the materials and shapes, in good decorative scale and proportion, you have an interestingly decorative environment; it looks nice and you are happy to be home. And two, you have the perfect balance of the energies to create balance in your life.

Now lets say because your home’s shape, color, and/or material, you have too much of one element, your energy could be imbalanced. If you live in a very square, flat roofed, ceramic/marble floored home, you are really living in a very Earth home, and you may be too grounded, stuck, or worse yet, bored! If you live in a very modernistic home with too many angles, you may be a work-a-holic burning yourself out with motivation, or with too much glass, you may go with the flow so much that your life washes away.

The solution is easy to recognize if you consider the natural laws. Use the element that takes away, mitigates, or softens the one you have too much of. If there is too much Earth, “plant some trees” by adding some Wood, to nurture the barren landscape. If you live in that angular home or are too hot with work, put out the Fire with the Water or Earth element.

There are personality imbalances, too. Do you notice your Fire if you are easily agitated? Personality imbalances can also be modified by adding the softening element to your environment and even to your clothing. (No one needs to know that you are wearing motivating red undies under your conservative suit if you want to professionally shake and move!) Take a look at rigid/disciplined Metal, wimpy/passive Water, dull/predictable Earth, or impatient/extreme Wood energies. Consider what good elemental undies will be good for you!
I live in a very woody home, and am a very wood personality-type. I love learning something new, beginning new projects, and experiencing new things. But as everything and everyone needs balance, sometimes I completely need to “regerminate” and be restful in the quite of my very dark bedroom, Feng Shui-ly analogous to regenerating in the womb of Mother Earth.

The mind of Feng Shui is to recognize your needs, graciously allowing them to be met, along with developing your intuition to make good Feng Shui (and life) decisions. My Wood-self needs to be aware that when I am tired, Fire will ignite my Wood, and I’ll burnout if I don’t take time to recharge. My karmic mind-stuff requires the inner strength and disciple to say, it is OK, take a day off, and lighten up. The mind of your Feng Shui is to take a look at your mind-stuff, with realistic clarity, firstly to ascertain what you need, and once satisfied, what do you desire? These are life-long questions, ever evolving, as you evolve into a more and more living-in-grace person. Intuition, the most important skill to develop in Feng Shui (and again, Life) is the key to the Mind, as it flows with your needs and desires.

Intuition?

Conscious intention is also mind stuff necessary to enhance Feng Shui and manifestation. Doesn’t Mother Nature hold the intent to greet each day after a long dark night, the dry after the storm, and the first warm day after the cold Winter. You know without hesitation that the darkness will pass with the hopefulness and conviction of intention. Hers is the shared power and commitment of intent. So, you really want to manifest?

Quick Start: Really on a Budget! Use the Power of the Mind!

Go around your home and select an item you love, in the element of the new energy you would like to bring into your life. Let’s say you’ve been job hopping for a while and would like professional stability and job security. The neat-looking rock (Earth) you found (that didn’t even cost anything!) on your last vacation would be perfect to place on your desk. Now, for the double-whammy, add conscious intention. As you place the rock, say something while engaging your purposeful desire and belief: “With this beautiful rock, that holds such wonderful memories, I set the intent that it will provide job stability and stable growth. All papers temporarily placed underneath (might as well make it functional too) are charged with secure transaction to not only benefit me, but also my associates, the company, and clients. (Always include well intentions for all those involved).”

Whether you buy a symbolic item, make one, or use one that you already have, always make sure it is special to you in some way. Remember to take a minute to use visualization and your spoken affirmation to set the intent which will magnify your Feng Shui results. That one minute is your Feng Shui ceremony.