Category: Mind, Body, Spirit

Feng Shui ~ Fame and Reputation

Feng shui is a branch of Taoist philosophy focused on harmonizing the interior home environment with the natural elements.  By properly situating entryways, windows, rooms and furnishings within the home, important human qualities are given direct attention. The bagua, a grid of nine squares, is used to map areas within the home. The bagua creates a structural diagram for alignment with the natural forces as a means to achieve success in different areas of life. The fame and reputation area is the rear middle space. Feng shui advocates a clean and orderly home so the vital energy of life can find a comfortable environment in which to prosper. Qi, or the life force, enters the space, and channeled correctly can enhance the positive qualities of fame and reputation. This article is the third in applying centuries old feng shui techniques to a living space to enhance all areas of life.

Fame and reputation are projected outward by the individual and reflected back by friends, family, and society. What a person wants to be known for and how they are perceived are two different views. The image projected can be controlled by the presenter. The personal image is communicated by body language, hygiene, hairstyle, and clothing. Facial expressions play a key role as well. What does a person radiate from within? Actions and non actions over time create a reputation. The depth and breadth of personal fame are directly related to actions within society. How a person acts within the home, family, workplace, community and other social situations creates their fame and reputation. These are things that can be gained or lost in many ways.

The element is fire. The dominant color is red. This area in my home is in the kitchen. Here is a photo of what it tends to look like. A full-time job and household to run takes effort and attention. Being a typical commuter, some things are left undone before heading out the door. This is what is in my fame and reputation area. A messy kitchen sink. Cooking is a favorite pastime and maintaining a clean house is important. My home is my castle but this affects my reputation Do I leave things unfinished? This is what is unseen outwardly by society but what I see when I return home. The energy of qi coming in the home finds this kitchen as is. If I were the auspicious energy of the universe taking a look at this, perhaps I’d move on taking all the benefits of integrity away.

The fame and reputation section faces south, an auspicious direction. The view is into the garden. The property boundary reaches to railroad tracks about 2500 feet back. Beyond the tracks is a slow and wide placid river. The train rumbles by routinely but at a slow speed. The whistle rarely blows so it is a part of the landscape and does not detract from it. The river can be seen in winter when the foliage is off the trees. Sunlight reflected on the water is a pleasant sight. Birds, wild turkeys, and rabbits make their home in the thicket along the river banks. Hoot owls haunt the nights. The outlook feels natural and open. Three large maple trees form a natural border on the east side and enhance a sense of privacy.  The trees mark the change of season and welcome squirrels and birds to nest. The west side is a thicket of young trees and shrubs. It’s a pleasant vista. Not being an expert at feng shui, it appears to be an auspicious outlook. The landscape is kept informal. Trees, shrubs and wild flowers grow naturally. The grass is trimmed routinely but its more natural than nurtured.

The inside is the area to adjust. The placement of the sink in front of a large sunny window is positive. The towels hanging down, dirty dishes and cluttered look are not. A trip to the local garden center was able to supply most of what feng shui encouraged for auspicious results. Here is a photo of the changed space.  At the top, a wind chime is hung that features a semi precious stone called citrine. Although it is not red, it is a sun color and the stone itself has qualities I wish to be famous for. The “citrine represents the solar plexus chakra which involves personal power and self-definition. Citrine is a symbol of hope and youth and brings energy, effectiveness, and spontaneity” said Gary Kvistad of Woodstock Chakra Chimes. The plant is a fiery red kalanchoe. The flower represents endurance and lasting affection. Two tapered red candles represent fire. Sun color dish towels now hang to the side not blocking the view. There’s a complimentary colored owl figurine all the way from sunny Sicily in the right corner. The space is cleaned and balanced. The sink, according to feng shui, is too close to the stove. After the dishes are cleaned, the bay leaf plant and flowering cyclamen are routinely placed between the areas of fire and water. I cannot move the sink and technically water will extinguish fire. Keeping the drains cleaned and covered when not in use is recommended. There may be some way to hide the sink when not in use with a large cutting board fitted to the space. This could be a cure. However, the cabinetry is knotty pine wood. Wood feeds fire and would be appetizing to the element. A rug has been placed on the floor in front of the sink. Now my feet are warm and the space feels more inviting.

This took some time to think about and how to put together an attractive area that still needs to function as a kitchen sink. The kitchen is typically the heart of the home and this one is more balanced. The superficial changes focus the mind on care taking the external area. But, the overall internal question is, what do I want to be famous for and is this represented in the space.

Feng shui can enhance the quality of life through proper alignment with the natural elements. It is up to the individual to find the best way to activate their personal fame and reputation by not only improving the home environment, but by manifesting the desire to consider what it is they are famous for and how the reputation is regarded. This space is warm, tidy and energized. The citrine catches the afternoon sun and releases a delightful scattering of prisms around the space. The band of color is gold, yellow, orange and a touch of blue. The effect is to create a sparkling dance of light in the fame and reputation area. The light reaches into the wealth and prosperity corner as well. This will be then next section of the bagua to be adjusted.

To be continued………..

Here is a link to the first article – Feng Shui Helpful Friends and Travel

Here is a link to the second article  – Feng Shui Helpful Friends and Travel Part II

Mindfulness Meditation: It is what it is

As the New Year rolls in, thoughts turn toward the chance for a fresh start. The resolutions perpetually include intentions for weight loss, being kinder or better self-care. Perhaps the need for quiet time, especially, during the winter months, starts to nag at the consciousness. The term mindfulness is becoming popular. The word is not part of the lexicon and tricky (pardon the pun) to wrap the mind around. Mindfulness is active attention on the moment without judgement if good or bad. Sounds nice. An internet query returns links to books, articles and seminars. There are an awful lot of words to read. If it takes more than a paragraph to explain, what is a busy wannabe to do? Mindfulness is conscious awareness of the mind, body, and spirit as it is in the present.

Mindfulness is a meditative practice from the Vipassana tradition of Insight Meditation. Jon Kabat-Zinn of the Stress Reduction Clinic and Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, made it an achievable experience. He and his staff pioneered a way for the mind and body of an overwhelmed, overworked ordinary person to chill out with kindness towards the self. The state of mind or health does not matter. The outcome is a balanced way to approach daily activities and conditions with awareness of internal and external influences.

A home based practice can begin at any moment. In the Vipassana tradition, there is no moment to start, no day, hour or time. If symbolism matters, look out the window and say now. Turn inward and begin your practice of mindfulness. No mantra, no bell, begin and focus on actions.

It is breakfast time and the ritual begins with a simple meal. Mindfulness is attention on what you think, say and do in the moment. It might be easier only to do at first. Concentrate on using the non-dominant hand and balancing activity in both hands. If right handed, use the left for opening the cupboard and taking out the bowl. Prepare toast and tea as well. Open the kettle lid, fill with water, start the burner and take out tea with the left hand using the right for support. In other words, reverse hand movements. Watch how the body tries to switch hands. See the hands switch and follow the normal pattern of movement. Consciously shift hands.

There may be some discomfort and fumbling as a simple meal is prepared. Open the cereal box, pour and close with attention. Listen to the cereal shift in the wax paper and fill the bowl. Add fresh fruit if that is the habit. Add the milk or yogurt. Take out a plate and butter knife. Two slices of bread from the bag. How hard this is! How the body is twisting away. Here is mindfulness. Feel the twist, feel the discomfort, focus on the action and guide the hands with gentle intention. Say it aloud if it helps. Focus, focus on this action at this moment. Place the bread in the toaster and cook it.

The tea water is boiling. Brew with loose leaf or the tea bag. Pour with the other hand. Constantly shift the attention as it shifts to the habit of the other way. See something drop or spill. The hands are learning something new; give them a chance to understand. Take your time. When the toast pops, butter with the left hand, spread the jam with the right. Start to shift giving each hand the same movement. It is not a simple task.

Sit and eat quietly. Watch how complex it is to scoop cereal onto the spoon and lift to the mouth with the other hand. Pay attention to chewing on both sides fully. Most people tend to bite down and grind on one side as well. A chance for mindful eating. Peel an orange or banana with the non-dominant hand. Continue this practice every morning until it becomes common.

Mindfulness will often say to focus on the flavors. One thing at a time. By moving out of the normal rhythm of the morning ritual of breakfast, the mind starts to focus on actions. Feel the discomfort in the body and mind. Let it be uncomfortable. Focus and be in that space. See what is happening, feel what is happening, hear the thoughts and watch where they go. Bring the thoughts into the hands, into the fingers holding the spoon, the cup or the toast. Feel the bread warm in the fingers.

This activity will be harder with people watching or knowing what is happening. A conversation will cause over analyzing and get the mind rolling in judgement. Keep the practice to yourself. If possible, try other simple activities such as brushing the teeth or washing dishes with the non-dominant hand. The body knows what you want and does it in a specific way with little variation. Stop the habitual action and put it in the other hand, on the other side of the body and the mind as well. The deliberate action of watching the movements and performing them with attentive care is mindfulness in motion. The mind may chatter away with thoughts and judgement. The hands may drop and slip things. Pick them up continuously with the non-dominant hand. Throughout the day, find other ways to do things in an opposite manner with attention on the change. Be mindful in movement and be safe.

Sources for Mindfulness

Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society – University of Massachusetts Worcester Campus
Stress Reduction Program

Insight Meditation Society – Barre, Massachusetts

Plum Village – Loubès-Bernac, France

This article is available in Wisdom Magazine March Edition 2016.