Yin/yang, the 5 elements/energies, the Ba-gua and HeartMind intention are the core of any study in Feng Shui, Qi Gong, Eastern Astrology and Medicine. They represent a language and understanding of the way the universe works...
Yin/Yang
Yin and yang are complimentary dualities that represent constant change. Day changes to night and Winter flows into Spring. Neither exists totally alone, that is, there is always a bit of yin in yang and vice versa, because in their extremes they change to their opposite. The tiny dot in the yin/yang symbol represents this concept.
"Yin/Yang is the way of heaven and earth, the fundamental
principle of
the myriad things, the father and mother of change and transformation,
the root of inception and destruction."
-The Su-wen
The best way to put yin/yang into context is to review how it is applied in Feng Shui design. Before we do that, here are some characteristics of Yin and Yang Energies: remember nothing is all yin or all yang!
In Feng Shui design the ultimate goal is balance and alignment of the energies with the use of the room and your intention. This balance and alignment can be achieved through color, placement, art, the proper application of yin/yang and five element energies along with adjustments and enhancements.
By virtue of what a room is used for and its characteristics; architectural, location and energy, each room in the house has predominant yin or yang energy. Here is a list of room by room:
The most prevalent yin/yang imbalance that I have seen in my years of practicing Feng Shui is in bedrooms, especially children's bedrooms. I believe this is contributing to a myriad of disorders from ADD to sleeplessness. Many studies have been conducted on the benefits of adequate sleep, and most conclude that we are sleep deprived.
 |
| Sunrise - Yang |
Bedrooms should be yin energy: cool, calm, dark and quiet in how they feel and when they are designed. If there are active patterns or murals, too much light, bright colors or too many electrical gadgets, the energy is out of balance (too yang) and your sleep will be disturbed. Click here for recent research on the effects of Light at Night on Children.
 |
| Sunset - Yin |
At night your body is in a yin state, which makes it more vulnerable to outside energetic influences.
Therefore, it is really important to review the design of your bedrooms to align the energy with your bodies natural cycles.
Bedrooms are just one example of the use of yin energy. An entire house can be out of balance with too much yin energy by being too dark, using too many muted colors, still life art and dried flowers everywhere - this can cause a feeling of lifelessness and stagnation.
On the other hand if your décor is too yang with bright colors, busy patterns and a lot of visual clutter, you will never feel settled and probably not spend much time at home.
The 5 Elements/Energies (wood, fire, earth, metal, water)
"The Theory of the Five Elements is the study of
the movement of energy rather than a method of cataloguing 'elements'. Each of the Five Energies/Elements is
represented by various qualities and vibrations - colors, smells and tastes."
- Lam Kam Chuen
I could build a whole website around the theory of the 5 elements, their meaning, cycles, symbolism and use throughout Chinese culture and medicine. Their application in Feng Shui design can influence the feeling you have in a specific room or an entire house. As with everything in Feng Shui, balance and alignment are important.
Each element represents various characteristics, which can be seen in the table. This table is only scratching the surface of what each element represents, but I include it here as an introduction to the 5 elements.
Qualities of The 5 Elements
Tree/Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
The Ba-Gua/Pa-Kua
Yin/yang and the 5 elements combine with the I Ching to create the ba-gua/pa-kua energy map. This map can be used as one of the tools to analyze your space and make adjustments.
Each tool in Feng Shui, including the ba-gua/pa-kua, has an appropriate use and application. In fact, it is the ability to apply the multiple layers of Feng Shui analysis that creates a balanced and aligned energy. Keeping it simple is my best advice.
This energy map is a very powerful Feng Shui tool. It can reveal many aspects about the energy of your space. .
Heartmind Intention
Called Yi in China, intention plays a very important role in all eastern disciplines, including Feng Shui. In fact, intention = chi (energy) = consciousness. Indian Yogis call this chit, consciousness connotes awareness, mindfulness and intent. Many scientific studies have been conducted on the power of intention, meditation and prayer on healing. Overwhelmingly, these studies point to a connection between intent and the outcome of a specific study. For the latest research on this subject see my reading list under the section: Intention, Quantum Fields, Thoughts and Beliefs.
When doing Feng Shui, awareness of your intention is important in directing your chi. If you are moving furniture, making an enhancement or adjustment, the clearer your intention, the more powerful the outcome.
One thing to remember when thinking about your intention is to concentrate on what you want, not on what you don’t want.
For example, perhaps you are going to put a loving picture of you and your partner in the relationship area because things have been difficult between you recently and you want to change the energy. If you are not aware of your intention you may think something like, I’m putting this picture here because I don’t want things to be difficult between us anymore. Well you have just focused on what you don’t want and what you focus on grows, positive or negative. An intention that focuses on what you want could be something like, I’m putting this picture here because I want us to be more open, loving and respectful to each other. Each time you look at the picture you will think about your intention and the energy will shift.
