The Art Of Placement
Written by Devon Love
When
you find the way, others will find you.
Passing by on the road, they will be drawn to your door.
The way that cannot be heard, will be echoed in your voice.
The way that cannot be seen, will be reflected in your eyes.
–Lao Tzu
Introduction
Feng Shui is a very old Chinese system of understanding the relationship between humans and the forces of the cosmos. The literal translation of Feng Shui is “wind and water.” The meaning has to do with the forces of the universe that are in motion, in constant change and flux. Wind and water are both elements of change, and they both move freely, as potent expressions of energetic forces. They symbolize the basic philosophy of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui practice has gained much notoriety in the West in recent years. People are using this ancient system to get in touch with what they want in their lives, and to begin to live with intention. The ancient Chinese Taoists understood that we are in constant flux, that movement and change are the way of the universe, and that all of life is an interplay of the dynamic forces of creation. The Taoists call the life force energy that flows through all creation “chi,” and this energy has a cyclic nature, with Yin, the receptive component, and Yang, the active component. These energies are ever engaged in a dance, seeking to flow in harmony and create from the center, the “chi” space. To align oneself with the cosmic desire for yin and yang energies to remain in harmony and balance on the planet, in communities, individual families, households, and lives is the purpose of Feng Shui.
In Feng Shui: Step By Step (1996), by T. Raphael Simmons, the author tells us: “Feng Shui has two premises and two levels of practice. The first premise is that man's state of mind and energy affects his environment for good or ill. The second premise is that the condition of the environment affects man's internal state." (my emphasis) The two levels of practice are inner practice and outer practice. Simmons goes on to say, “It is said that in very ancient times, Feng Shui was only practiced inwardly, and that wherever it's practitioner went, the world was filled with joy and contentment. But in the past several thousand years, as life has become more and more complicated and the world has fallen into discord and strife, it has been necessary for Feng Shui to be practiced outwardly as well."
The inner practice would involve contemplation of the I Ching (The Book Of Changes), meditation, and chi kung, (a system of internal exercises to promote good health and vibrancy by cultivating the flow, conservation, and efficient use of chi in the body). The outer level is more commonly practiced in the West as Feng Shui, and involves looking at horoscope, compass, form, and divining techniques. Just by virtue of this, it can be seen that western cultures have a tendency toward being yang in nature, as action and outward movement is favored over inner stillness, contemplation, and receptivity. To truly practice this ancient art, one must align oneself with one’s true nature and find a balance between the forces of yin and yang in one’s own life. This would likely include both inner and outer practice.
In her book, Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui (1998), Karen Kingston gives a great example of the balance of inner and outer Feng Shui practice: “Feng Shui is the art of balancing and harmonizing the flow of natural energies in our surroundings to create beneficial effects in our lives. These natural energy flows were well known and understood by the ancients, and knowledge of them still exists in some cultures today. In Bali, for example, which is my home for half of each year, the people still live in total harmony with both the physical, seen world, and the ethereal, unseen world of invisible energies. Daily offerings at every household shrine, and an endless procession of beautiful, powerful, and very highly evolved ceremonies in the islands twenty thousand communal temples ensures that balance and harmony is maintained. This, to me, is Feng Shui at its best—not just a set of principles applied to an individual building for a specific result but a whole island of 3 million people in tune with the sacredness of the land, and living Feng Shui as a complete way of life.”