Last night we finished the fall class of Beginning Feng Shui. On the final night of the course I like to open the room up to questions, comments, suggestions and “fixes.” By this time in the course the students have mastered the basic principles and are ready to apply them to their spaces and they generally have questions.
The previous 5 weeks started with an introduction to Feng Shui, what it is, how it originated (this is the fascinating part that makes the practice come alive) and how and why we ought to use the principles in our own lives to make changes and create a better life experience. In the weeks following the introduction we discuss the unseen principles of energy (ch’i) the origins of the philosophy of Wuji and Taiji, the myth of creation, and the BaGua Chart. We learn the significance of the squares representing variousfacets of our lives, the burden of clutter and hanging onto “stuff,” and master the five natural elements that influence our life cycle, the unifying concepts of yin and yang. Finally, we sketch our homes and apply the BaGua chart to the shape of our dwellings.
By the end of the fifth class most confusion is lifted and we have an open forum for sharing our questions, issues and ah-ha moments.
This particular class was into ah-ha moments week one. As I listened to them speak from their hearts I was in awe as to how the Feng Shui information has opened their eyes to their own lives, spaces and homes, and also, how they are taking it out into the world. One of the class members was nicknamed “Mama Ch’i” by her daughter because she has started to pay close attention to the energy wherever she goes and is vocal about her discoveries. She turned on her intuitive senses and has sharp radar for the imbalance of energy and knows what to do about it.
Another student discovered that she is already practicing intuitive Feng Shui in her home quite “by accident.” Now she is aware of her environment and she can fine tune what she already created instinctively.
Another student is dealing with empty nest syndrome and trying to figure out how to retain or transform the spaces her children occupied. We deal with all kinds of the issues in my classes.
The most gratifying take-away for me as the teacher is the glow I see on their faces, the changes in their lives and the enthusiasm they have for doing even more. The removal of excess and clutter is tantamount to putting the Feng Shui Principles into action and getting results. The more clutter we have; the less free flowing energy we have to use for other creative projects. Clutter affects us on the psychic and cellular levels. We see it, feel it and are emotionally smothered by it. Managing the physical things in our lives is an ongoing process as well as understanding when it’s time for “things” to move on so we can too. When you lighten your load you welcome in a brand new feeling of freedom and expression.
At the end of the day, when the beginning course has been completed many lives have been enriched, many minds opened and a whole lot of Ch’i has been released. I believe the world lightens a bit and we are better as a global community for the efforts of a few.
I am so grateful to be able to teach what I love. The Principles of Feng Shui are life-changing, happy making, and good for all of us. Please don’t tell anyone, but I would pay to teach this course. It is that rewarding to witness the positive and empowering changes come alive in the lives of my students. It also inspires me to go clean out another drawer.
