The Chi of New Homes ... Feng Shui-ness and Destiny

When my wife and I were searching for a new Las Vegas home in 2002, we wanted it to have a solid foundation based on Feng Shui principles. My wife researched the essentials and we decided to build a home that met our needs and supported good Chi. The internal layout of the furniture was a slow process because we want to ensure that everything "was energy (Chi) efficient". We even went so far as to pick a plot of land that had a curvy street in front and located on a hill with a view of a "city of money". With all of the work we did in building the structure and embellishing the interior, the house feels fantastic and the energy feeds us and moves us forward!

This positive experience tickled my curiosity and I decided to assemble some of our observations, based on our initial house hunting and, later, my interest and research. In the Las Vegas area, I focused on Feng Shui "compatibility" based on empty new-builds. All of the homes were built within the last five years and were unoccupied. I acquired a few pictures and compared the structures and placement of built-in components (i.e., doors, windows, and potential placement of furniture as necessitated by the structure) to several books and resources I have available on Feng Shui. In the end, I noticed some consistencies with regard to the class of individual for which the homes were built.

Since we are newbies to Feng Shui, I submitted the research to a few Feng Shui experts to see if we were "in the ballpark". Some of the conclusions I came up with and discussed with these experts were:

• For homes within the Upper class of society, the structures were built to support power and money.

• For homes within the Upper-Middle class of society, the structures were built to support employment and consumption.

• For homes within the Lower to Middle class of society, the structures were built to support production.

• For homes within the Retirement class of society, the structures were built to support endings and isolation from society (e.g., foot of bed facing an external door).

This all seemed interesting in that the type of home built seemed to fit within a particular need or desire for a given societal class. It also seems to be that people purchase a home that supports the issues and lessons on which they are embarking. This approach is a hidden, and ingenious, psychological "marketing gimmick" for builders. Indeed, most people will always go toward that which is the most comfortable.

Of course, one cannot specifically reference outcome by class regarding the selection of the home structure. However, it seems that the architecture of today reflects the mind set of the country as a whole. While, in the long run, many choose the best house they can afford for their family, comfort, and lifestyle; however, most are unconscious of the effects of the space while focusing on the structural illusion.

Edward B. Toupin is an author, life-strategy coach, counselor, Reiki Master, technical writer, and PhD Candidate living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books, articles, and screenplays on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. Check out some of his recent print and electronic books as well as his articles covering various life-changing topics!

For more information, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his site at http://www.make-life-great.com or http://www.toupin.com!

Copyright (c) 2004 Edward B. Toupin

Feng Shui and Wind Chimes

Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of creating a harmonious environment, is becoming more and more popular in the United States. Pronounced "fung shway," it translates to "wind and water" and its roots in Chinese history date back more than 5,000 years. Originally kept as a secret to assist the Imperial Dynasties, Feng Shui is now helping to create a more pleasant home and work environment for people around the globe.

Wind chimes are popular in the art of Feng Shui; not only pleasing to look at and pleasant to listen to, it is believed that they not only stimulate the imagination and creativity, but that wind chimes also give one a burst of 'chi,' or good energy, whenever they ring. Hanging wind chimes both at the entrance and exits of buildings is said to assist, not only those inside the building, but to help those who are entering, chasing away the negative energies that often cling to us.

Feng Shui wind chimes are beautiful to look at; commonly crafted of bamboo and brass, many are specially tuned to promote good energy and stimulate the imagination. In Feng Shui, it is believed that both the bamboo and the metal of these chimes help heal negative energies that can cause illness or accident. Some wind chimes are made to hang in certain areas, while others are made to sit upon a table or desk, where they can be manually rang, providing an 'instant chi boost'. Feng Shui wind chimes are designed to remind us to be playful and lighthearted, helping us to overcome obstacles that we are faced with, preventing stagnation and attracting opportunity into our lives.

Whether you are a follower of geomancy (earth magic) or just have a love of music, the Feng Shui wind chimes are beautiful to listen to and fill listeners with a sense of tranquility. Few can resist the warm earthy tones and soft sounds that emanate from these wonderful chimes. Whether you wish to create a Feng Shui harmonious environment or not, everyone always enjoys the smiles that these chimes are known to create.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at www.wind-chimes-guide.info

Feng Shui Your Workspace with Natural Rattan Furniture

Did you know that rattan furniture for your office can help you increase your fortune and build up positive energy? Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese belief that your environment has a direct effect on your inner self. By harmoninizing the areas that you spend the most time in you can become more focused, more effective, and more successful. Rattan furniture is a powerful way to apply the principles of Feng Shui to your workplace, one of the places where you surely spend a lot of time. Tropical office furniture exemplifies the principles of beauty and simplicity and represents one of the five elements used in Feng Shui - wood.

Feng Shui maintains that an area has the most positive energy when all five of the elements are present: wood, fire, wind, water, and metal. Rattan furniture is a natural way to include the wood element in your workspace. Wood is a particularly important element for your workplace in the art of Feng Shui, because it is the element of creativity, innovation, strength, and flexibility, which are all vital characteristics for business. If island rattan computer armoires or woven wicker office chairs can infuse your workspace with these values, think of how much more you will be able to accomplish!

If you are not already a believer in the concept of Feng Shui, you might be skeptical that rattan furniture can have such a large effect on your job. However, think of your mental state when you are surrounded by pristine beauty. Even imagining lying back on an island rattan recliner, surrounded by white sands and whispering waves can focus your mind and lower your stress levels. Tropical office furniture can evoke these emotions every time you look at them.

The principles of Feng Shui also say that ch'i - positive energy - can be blocked by disorder and clutter. Even if you don't believe that positive energy is flowing all around you, think about how you feel when you are surrounded by clutter. It is difficult to focus on the priorities at hand, you often need to stop to find what you are looking for, and you probably feel smothered and overwhelmed. You can counteract these negative feelings by inviting the wood element into your workspace through rattan furniture. Enclose your peripherals in an attractive-looking island rattan printer cabinet to keep those cables tidy and to replace the unharmonic look of your printers and scanners with the soothing properties of the wood element. Use wicker computer armoires to enhance your entire workspace with the lovely and relaxing look of tropical office furniture.

Using rattan furniture to Feng Shui your workspace allows you to increase your productivity and create a more pleasant and efficient way to work. Find out more today.

Lee Rubenstein, owner of the #1 ranked Tropical Furniture website, can help you surround yourself with a tropical setting at your workplace. To view these tropical office furniture pieces please visit http://www.dlgallerygifts.com.

Understanding The Benefits Of Feng Shui

Many homeowners are toying with the idea of decorating their home in the Feng Shui style. They have basic misconceptions of the true Feng Shui style based on companies that were selling books, or a particular service.

The reality of Feng Shui is that is was used in all homes, poor and rich. Home decorators do not need to hire someone to create a true Feng Shui room. The first step to bringing the benefits of Feng Shui to your home is to understand exactly what it is.

Feng means "wind," and shui means "water" (pronounced fung-shway). In the Chinese culture, a gentle wind and smooth water is associated with having plenty and being healthy. As apposed to a harsh wind and stagnant water that are linked to famine and disease.

This is important to understand, because a few mistakes can actually cause you to create a negative atmosphere in a room. Good feng-shui means good livelihood and fortune. Bad feng-shui means hardship and misfortune.

However, from a pragmatic point of view, the colors and textures in the good style are relaxing and reduce stress. This is the most important benefit in our stressful culture. At least 80% of all our diseases are stress related, so the primary benefit of feng-shui is to reduce stress and promote health.

Feng-shui is not a superstitious set of decorating rules. It is the science of understanding the emotional impact the different forces of nature have on us, and using these to design houses and workplaces which create harmony instead of stress.

Feng-shui is loosely based in Chinese medicine.

There is a standardized body of knowledge that takes years of formal training to master. However, the home decorator can use this decorating style in their own home with success, because they are responding to their personal needs and emotions.

The master is trained to deal with different environments and people, the home decorator only needs to worry about their own environment.

Feng-shui is divided into two branches: the Landform (ti-li) branch and the Building Characteristics (chai-yun) branch.
The Landform Classification branch focuses on the flow of energy over, around, and through objects and the connection between that energy and nearby objects.

The Building Characteristics branch focuses on the flow of energy inside a building and how it affects people.

Before starting to decorate your home, it is wise to take the time to study both branches. But, it is also important to determine what you need from the room. Do you sleep too much? Do you need to be energized? Then you will use different elements than someone who needs to relax and detoxify their system of stress, anger, and aggression.

The best thing about Feng-shui is that it can be incorporated into the most sophisticated and elegant home decorating style as easily as it is utilized in an open concept, modern home. The only thing limiting the home is the decorator?s imagination and willingness to learn how to turn their home into a healthy environment.

Patricia Taylor advises on home furnishings and decor from her web site at http://www.diningroomsetshere.com. She invites you to get her FREE home decorating guide here http://www.wallfountainshere.com