FENG SHUI – The Art of Domestic HarmonyBangalore is awaking to Feng Shui as an alternative to traditional
Vastu Shastra. Because the concept is a rather specialized one, many buyers and sellers of real estate in Bangalore think of Feng Shui in terms of a system of religious rituals to safeguard their property. It is that, of course, but it is also considered more than that. The above impression probably stems from its closest brother, the Indian Vaastu Shastra.To guide you in this emerging discipline, here is a basic guide:* Basically, Feng Shui is based on the ancient Chinese belief that the power of natural forces, called ‘chi’, can be harnessed to act favorably on any kind of property.* Proper use of prescribed Feng Shui techniques, it is believed, can foster physical and spiritual wellbeing, success, happiness and other positive aspects of life amongst the property’s occupants.* The actual name, loosely translated, means ‘Wind’ and ‘Water’ – the two elements most influential in the presence or absence of harmony.The subject is, of course, vast and complex. Feng Shui practitioners who advise buyers and sellers of real estate undergo an intensive learning process before being able to advise others on the correct use of its techniques. However, there are certain baseline precepts that every property owner can implement to advantage.
FENG SHUI GUIDELINES IN A DOMESTIC ENVIRONMENTIn Feng Shui, every room of one’s home has a special significance, and therefore special guidelines. If you contact one of the emerging Feng Shui experts in Bangalore, he will analyze your property by these points:
BEDROOMThe bedroom is considered very important. Correct layout and internal specifications can, it is believed, ensure domestic bliss and harmony within the family. Modern practitioners of Feng Shui warn strictly against the presence of a television set within the bedroom; having a mirror directly facing the bed is also considered extremely harmful. Both of these, one is told, can cause serious disruptions in conjugal harmony.While the presence of a beam directly over the bed is thought of as an invitation for trouble, having a solid wall at the bed’s head-side is considered to be beneficial in many respects. Similarly, proper circulation of air by means of opening bedrooms windows regularly should be ensured. It is believed that this facilitates both good ventilation and the movement of the all-important ‘chi’ (complying with these directives is obviously not very difficult, and only minor rearrangements are called for).According to Feng Shui, children’s bedrooms also have special requirements. For instance, it is thought of as highly inauspicious to allow children to sleep on the floor, and double-bunk beds should not be used. In either of these, the free flow of spiritual energy is allegedly compromised – thereby affecting children’s performance at school and peace of mind at home.
ENTRANCE AND LIVING ROOMThe entrance to any residential piece of real estate should be free of any obstruction, and the storing of any kind of footwear here should be strictly avoided. Great attention should be paid to keeping this part of the home clean and hygienic. Also, there should ideally be a visible source of flowing water in this area – this is why small indoor fountains are evident in many Feng Shui-compliant homes in Bangalore. In fact, freely moving water in any part of the house is considered extremely fortuitous. It is believed that even an aquarium stocked with an adequate amount of fish can enhance the spiritual harmony of a home, especially in cases where one or more adult members are not gainfully employed outside the house. However, the correct placement of an aquarium is a delicate matter… wrong location can apparently cause more harm than good.Feng Shui traces certain specific problems in home occupants’ lives to the presence or absence of certain objects. To state an example – problems at work could be caused by an element like marble in the living room. Since marble is an almost standard feature in modern Indian homes, this is certainly food for thought. At the very least, we are told, the marble-topped dining tables should be avoided and replaced with wooden ones.
KITCHENFeng Shui places particular importance on the proper confluence of the basic elements; water and fire are two of these, and there is great potential for clash in the kitchen. For this reason, locating sources of the two within proximity of each other is considered inauspicious. This means that water cisterns, the kitchen sink and refrigerator should not be placed directly opposite or near to the kitchen range or stove. Ceramic tiles are considered to be amongst the most ideal flooring media for the kitchen, since they do not obstruct the free movement of ‘chi’ energy. Further Feng Shui recommendations concern the outside of the house. To begin with, black is considered a most unsuitable and ill-omened color for the front door. Also, it is advised that tall trees that may obstruct the beneficial forces in front of the residence’s main entrance be either trimmed or relocated.