27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home

27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home

ISBN: 9781596525672

Price: $9.99

Description:

“If you want to change your life, move 27 things in your home.” This ancient Chinese proverb speaks of the powerful connection our homes have with our lives. In 27 Things To Feng Shui Your Home, Tisha Morris shows in creative, basic steps how to use the art of feng shui to create an inviting, personal atmosphere in your home that will renovate your life.
Discover how to:

- Manageably clear clutter to optimize space
- Use lighting, color, and simple objects to create good energy flow
- Space clear to promote good health
- Integrate the Five Elements into your home to create harmony

“27 Things provides readers with an easy-to-follow, knowledgeable guide to applying Feng Shui principles to your home.  This guide is great for every homeowner, even if you’re a Feng Shui skeptic.”     ~ At Home Tennessee

“[A] new resource for people who want the energy in their home to work for them, not against them, but perhaps feel intimidated by feng shui, or the art of space planning to promote health and prosperity.” ~ Denver Post

About the Author:

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, energy healer, feng shui consultant, and yoga instructor. After practicing law for five years, Tisha obtained a Fine Arts degree in Interior Design. She founded Mind Body Om in 2008 to help others align with their life purpose by transforming the mind, body, and home. Tisha resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

PRE-ORDER NOW!  Available April 28^th at:

Raising Your Energy Vibration Through Your Home

Why Every Home Needs a Space Clearing

Imagine an unseen world of energy in your home. Although not visible to most people, there is energy lingering throughout your home that affects you daily– physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Every object and, of course, person in your home has its own distinct energy field. So while your kitchen table isn’t conscious, it’s energy is still very much alive and emitting an energy field. And each time you sit down at that table, your energy field and its energy field converge and affect one another. In the book, Hidden Messages of Water, Masaru Emoto experiments with just this notion showing how the energy field of a glass of water is affected by loud music, words, love, etc.

In addition to objects in your home, the empty space, i.e. air, is all energy. This energy is also referred to as chi in Feng Shui. And how the chi flows through a space is the crux of Feng Shui.

What Makes Up the Energy In Your Home?

Emotions. As I mentioned, we humans also emit an energy field. And, unlike your kitchen table, we have a very powerful conscious and subconscious mind with which we think and feel. Thus, our energy field is much more complex. In fact, it is a blueprint, or hologram, of our physical, mental, and emotional body. As we feel angry, the emotion of anger is emitted from our energy field. If you feel loving, then that is emitted out. This is why it is so easy to pick up other people’s emotions just by being in the same room. The phrase, “you could cut the tension with a knife,” is a perfect example.

We have an array of emotions all of which carry a vibration. Some emotions have a slow rate of vibration, meaning the molecules are literally vibrating slowly. These emotions are thought of as “heavy.” And others, such as love and joy, are high vibrations and thought of as “light.” These heavy, slow vibrations can stagnate the energy flow in your home. And, if not cleared, it will attract more stagnation. In other words, when someone walks into that area, they will not feel good, either consciously or subconsciously. And, in fact, they will be more prone to feeling the low vibrations that initially caused the stagnation, just as one feels when an angry person walks into a room.

Objects. In addition to emitting their own energy field, objects also impact our subconscious mind. Every object in your home means something to you on some level. In other words, you have some mental or emotional attachment to the object, or else you would not have it. Whether it is a piece of art that you bought on a trip or a vase that you don’t really like but feel guilty for giving it away because your mother gave it to you…it means something to you. And every time your subconscious sees that object (which is probably daily), it attaches to that thought or emotion. Maybe it is a piece of furniture used solely for function, like your kitchen table. Each time you eat at it, you are appreciating its function. But what about if it has a wobbly leg? What do you feel towards it then?

Layout. The layout of your floor plan and furniture also affect the flow of chi in your home. Ideally, the energy should meander through the space. In other words, the floor plan and furniture should allow the energy to easily flow through the space. Factors include corners, sharp angles, openings from one room to another, and the amount of clutter.

Light. As we know, the light takes out the dark. The areas of natural light in your home will be less prone to stagnation. Conversely, those areas that do not get as much light will be more prone to stagnation, such as corners, closets, and areas hidden by furniture. That being said, it is possible to have too much natural light in a home causing an imbalance of chi. In other words, there can be too much yang energy. And too much yang energy makes it difficult to relax and/or quiet the mind. The opposite is true in areas of low, dim light.

Do I Need a Space Clearing?

For the most part, if you have never had your space cleared, then you most likely need to. If for no other reason, a space clearing is necessary to clear out the energy of previous owners. Yes, energy can stagnate for years! And, in fact, it can get stronger if the same energy is put into it. In my experience, I have yet to go to home that did not need to be cleared. I have one client who is very conscious of her home and clears it regularly. It was a delight to be in her space, except for one problem area due to the floor plan.

Another reason to clear your home is to dismantle old patterns. Like our body, our home contains our mental and emotional patterns. If you want to make changes in your life, start or, at least, include the home. We spend lots of time and money on self-help methods for ourselves. But it we continue to live and breathe the same patterns in our home day after day, it is difficult to make any permanent change in our lives.

For information on having your space professionally cleared, visit www.mindbodyhome.net

Coming Soon: How to Clear Your Space!

8 Ways to Bring in Abundance (Without Spending a Dime!)

With so much uncertainty in our economy, many people are turning to alternative ways to make money. Many are embracing their creative talents, while others are trying new marketing techniques. Ultimately, we are all being asked to change the way we do things and to become more creative in how we work and relate to others. If you look around at businesses right now – from restaurants to personal services — they are either failing or thriving. What is the secret behind those that are thriving?

I recently read the book, Think and Grow Rich, by Napolean Hill where he reports his findings of the secret behind the 500 most successful people, including Andrew Carnegie. Keep in mind: This book was written in 1937 during a similar economic downturn. What he found to be the commonality in all of their success was nothing that you would read in a business manual. Instead, it was the mental and emotional energy that each of these successful projected out.

Whether you are conscious of it or not, you are projecting your future through your conscious and subconscious thoughts. Thus, the best way to bring in abundance is exactly this way.  Here are eight ways to use your energy positively to bring about wealth and properity:

1. Helping Others

If you have ever been around really successful people (and by “successful” I mean prosperous in wealth and happiness), then you will quickly notice that they are always happy and willing to help others with their business. Many people think that to succeed, you must be competitive when, in fact, the opposite is true (even towards your “competitors”). Someone who is competitive and cut-throat is simply saying that they don’t trust in their own skills and talents.

If you are willing to help someone promote their business, they will do the same for you. In other words, what you put out you will get back in return. This principle has really been put to use in the new social networking world of Twitter. It is an example of the more you help others, the more you will receive in return.

There are so many ways in which we can help and encourage others. Here are some examples: a simple compliment, such as “Your ad in the paper looked great” or “I love your website”, making positive comments on others’ blog posts, offering others resources that were helpful to you, volunteering your services for free to a good cause, referring people, and being a patron of other people’s services. Helping others says that you are confident in yourself…and not to mention nice!

1. Gratitude
   

Being grateful for what you already have is the Number One way to bring in more of it. Say “Thank You” to yourself, others, mentors, angels, God, Universe, Source, and/or whoever you believe is a part of what has helped you to get and achieve what you have thus far. By doing so, more will come your way. This is essentially a high vibration affirmation.

1. Being Present
   

Living in the present moment is a phrase often used by those seeking a more zen way of life and/or enlightenment. But it is also a really great business practice. Your power is always in the present moment. When you align yourself with the present moment you have complete and total access to your own power. By “power” I mean your best skills, talents, and creativity. It is only when we look into the future that we become stressed, anxious, and fearful. For all that is meant for us to deal with in the present moment is just that…the present moment.

Because it is each small step (or moment) along our journey that makes up our life, the destination will only be as good as each of the moments that it encompasses. Eckhart Tolle profoundly describes this concept in A New Earth as follows:

“Everybody’s life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness. The present moment is always small in the sense that it is always simple, but concealed within it lies the greatest power.”

So, try being present in each moment of your day, from sending emails to talking to prospective clients. You will be amazed at how much better your focus and productivity is.

1. Use Feng Shui
   

Many may think that the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui is only used in Eastern cultures, but major U.S. businesses and business executives such Donald Trump are applying its 3,000-year-old principles in their daily business dealings.

By simply rearranging your office space, you are energizing your business in a new way. The shifts of earth energy in conjunction with your own mental intention can change your business quickly and dramatically. The position and arrangement of your desk can make a profound impact. Read my article, Feng Shui Your Desk, for more information.

And for businesses with a store-front, feng shui can make the difference between attracting customers and deterring them. Simply do a google search for a wealth of free information.

1. Affirmations
   

An affirmation is a set of positive words or phrases repeated out loud, to yourself, or just set out in visual sight. The more the affirmation is repeated consecutively and over time, the more the subconscious is being programmed to believe it. For example, if you repeat an affirmation such as, “I attract abundance in all areas of my life,” your subconscious mind will take it as truth (as it has no filter) and the law of attraction will begin to bring you abundance.
You could consciously want more money, but your subconscious mind may be working on a different agenda, potentially sabotaged by old belief systems, implanted societal fear, or simple unworthiness. This is why it is so important to be conscious of our subconscious.

Using affirmations is a great way to re-program the subconscious mind to be more in alignment with what you consciously want in your life. The amount of time it takes will depend on how engrained the current belief system being re-programmed is in your subconscious.

For specific affirmations for abundance, read my article, 8 Affirmations for Abundance.

1. Being Receptive
   

We are often our own worst enemy. As much as we would like to blame others or the economy, the truth is we oftentimes just get in our own way. Many of us have belief systems that prevent us from abundance. For example, some believe that they don’t deserve abundance, that wealth is only reserved for certain people, or that money is the root of all evil. If you consciously choose to have any of these belief systems, then so be it. But some of you may unconsciously have these thoughts while, at the same time, confused as to why money isn’t coming your way.

So explore to see what belief systems you have surrounding money. You may be surprised. In order to receive, your must be open. For a clinched fist will never be able to receive anything. And don’t forget to be present… for something to fall into your lap, you must be still.

Also be open to where the sources of abundance may come. While your energies may be in one direction, the fruits of your labor may return to you from another direction. Be open. Be receptive. And, again, be present.

1. Make a Vision Board
   

A vision board is a powerful visualization tool that activates the Law of Attraction to begin manifesting your dreams into reality. The concept of the vision board, also known as a goal board or treasure map, has been around for generations, but has gained a renewed interest and popularity from the documentary, The Secret.

A vision board is a visual collage of the things that you want to have, be, or do in your life. To make one, simply get a poster, cardboard, or foam board, magazines, glue and/or tape, scissors, and a desire. Cut out images either exact or symbolic representations of the things that you want in your life or the things that you want to become. Paste them on your board and display it, preferably somewhere visible to you. In no time, you will be amazed at what you will attract into your life!

1. Use the Number “8″
   

It is no coincidence that I used the number “8″ for this article. Numbers are one of the oldest symbols in our collective conscious. Each number carries its own meaning, frequency, and energy. The number “8″ is the number for abundance.

In Numerology, anytime you have double or triple digits, add them up until you come to a single digit. For example, 107 = 8; 44 = 8, and 800 = 8. So take advantage of this built-in power. Incorporate it into your life. For example, price your services or products using this auspicious number. I even once lived in an 8-house that made me lots of money when I sold it. Be creative with it!

Conclusion

If you are not bringing in as much wealth and prosperity as you would like, then try incorporating some of these concepts into your daily practice. Sometimes there is no need to spend a fortune on advertising or expensive classes. Invest in your own personal power first. Afterall, you are your most important asset.

The Practical No-Nonsense Guide to Meditation

If you’ve thought about starting a meditation practice or tried to meditate and gave up, then this is the article for you. I went from being a left-brained business-minded attorney to a right-brained healer with meditation being my bridge. However, when I first started attempting to meditate, I found it extremely frustrating. That is, if I was able to sit there more than 10 minutes without my back hurting or my legs falling asleep. What most people do not realize is that meditation is an art. And all arts take practice. Saying that “I just can’t meditate” or “meditation doesn’t come natural for me” is like saying “I can’t draw” or “I have no artistic talent.” Sure, there are those people who are naturals at drawing, painting, playing a musical instrument, but most artists have learned techniques and practiced them over and over. They have practiced their art. And so it is with meditation. It takes practice.

You may ask why then should I put in the time to practice this art? Countless studies have shown that meditation has both short- and long-term benefits to brain structure and function. Specifically, the insula which connects the emotional center and thinking center, along with the amygdala, which is tied to the fight-or-flight impulses, actually change in form. Thus, meditators are more aware of what’s going on in their environment and thus more in control of their responses. Translation: People who meditate deal with stress much better and thus have fewer stress-related illnesses. Changing brain structure certainly does not happen overnight. It happens gradually over time after much practice.

Once you’ve made a decision to start practicing meditation, the first step is to designate a space. For tips on setting up a meditation space in your home, read 4 Steps to Create Your Personal Sanctuary. Having a designated space is, in my opinion, crucial. Ask any artist. They will tell you that a designated space to paint, write, cook, etc. is a necessity. The size of the space is not important, but privacy is. If you are unable to close off the space, then using a decorative screen to create a boundary is an option.

The next step is how to sit. This may seem pretty straight-forward unless and until you’ve tried it. Sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion or folded yoga blanket(s) is the most common “seat” for meditation. If you find that your back starts to hurt, then start out sitting against a wall or in an upright chair. If you can sit cross-legged with not much problem, I would recommend using a meditation cushion to prevent your legs from losing circulation and falling asleep. For me, I had been doing yoga for years which is a great preparation for meditation. (In fact, yoga was originally used for preparing for yoga by the ancient yogis.) Even so, it took me about 6 months until I could sit for 30 minutes without my back hurting. There are “meditation muscles” in your back that most likely have been dormant. So make as many adjustments as you need. You don’t need to sit like a monk in Tibet. But you do want your spine upright.

Once you have your space with a comfortable sitting position, the next step is the actual meditation. For any first-time meditator I recommend to start out listening to a guided meditation or meditation music using headphones (the bigger the better). Headphones not only help block out noises but create an inward world where it’s just you. In other words, your attention turns from the external world to your internal world. There are countless options for guided meditation. I am particularly picky about the guide’s voice and my personal preference is Deepak Chopra. So before you purchase something, listen to a sample to make sure you find the voice soothing and not annoying. As for meditation music, I prefer the technological entrainments that help balance the right and left brain. Anything with sudden noises, such as birds, cricket and thunder, I find very disruptive.

Whether you use a guided meditation, music, or go it alone with silence, the most important tip I can share is contrary to what any meditation source will tell you: For the first 5 minutes, let your mind run wild! Let it go wherever it wants. Set it free. Instead of fighting it, just let it go. Your mind will feel like wild horses having been cooped up for years. Free them. You’ll be amazed at what might come up. For me, I might recall a dream I had the night before, remember that I was supposed to call someone, or think about what I want to do that day. Once you’ve given your mind 5 minutes to basically flood itself (use a timer if you feel like you might get carried away), start to rein it in. And then start to quieten your mind. It will not be nearly as resistant now.

From here, bringing your focus to your breath is a good starting place. For the breath is always there in repetition. Counting breaths can be very effective, i.e. Inhale One, Exhale One, Inhale Two, Exhale Two. Start out trying to do this for ten counts without thinking about anything else. Sound easy? Give it a try. You may be surprised. Once you can make it to ten, do it to twenty, and so on. You are controlling the mind instead of the mind controlling you. This is the part of meditation that will take the most practice. It’s the golf swing of meditation. Not thinking about anything!

Each time you can quieten the mind, it will be easier the next time. Let it gradually build up over time. For example, you may start out for 10 minutes the first week; 15 minutes the next week; and so forth. Set reasonable goals. Don’t expect to be a master after one week or even one month. It took me well over a year before I got to a place I felt comfortable with, which for me was sitting in meditation blissfully for 30-45 minutes. The work that you put into your practice will be mirrored in your daily life. You will automatically start living more and more in the present moment. And then one day when your mind is completely quiet, you realize through a deep and profound feeling of knowingness that you are not your mind, but spirit. And this, in my opinion, is the most important benefit of yoga.

photo by Alicepopkorn.

Om Sweet Om: Create a Sacred Space to Expand Your Yoga Practice

 

 

 

When runners want to take their training to a new level, they may purchase some new Asics or change up their running route.  But how do yogis deepen their practice, chataranga after chataranga?  Perhaps a new mat, a new instructor, or a new studio. 

Instead, try creating a sacred space for doing yoga in your home – a sanctuary that you love to be in.  In doing so, you will not only maintain enthusiasm for your yoga practice, but you will expand it to a new level. 

By designating a space for a particular function, it is much easier to transition into that activity.  So, with a designated yoga space you will be able to turn inward much easier each time you enter your sacred space.  It’s similar to the automatic response your body gets when it hears the word ‘savasana’ in yoga. 

On an energetic level, that space will carry the same energy which builds and builds over time allowing you to go deeper each time.  It is no wonder that it is much easier to meditate in an ashram… the energy of meditators over years has built up to the point you can step in and immediately feel at peace.

Your sacred space can be any size — from the size of your yoga mat to an entire room.  Choose this space carefully.  Go around your home and find a space that feels good.  Or find a section or a whole room that is not living up to its potential.  I once had a guest bedroom that just collected clutter.  Finally, one day I decided to reclaim this room.  I turned lemons into lemonade. 

With a new coat of paint, a serious detox of clutter, an altar, and a few personal items, this became not only my favourite room in the house, but a yoga and meditation sanctuary.  Soon thereafter, my yoga practice went to a new level followed by teacher training.  Within six months, I was teaching my first yoga class.

Although this article is about creating space in your home, it’s also about creating space in your yoga practice.  It therefore can’t go without mentioning the benefits of having a home practice.  This is where you begin to truly tune into what you want and need your yoga practice to be.  You become your own inner guru, or upaguru in Sanskrit. 

A home practice allows you to listen to what your body wants to do next.  Maybe you are feeling energized and do an extensive series of warrior poses and arm balances.  Or perhaps you are feeling tired and need to do slow and deep hip openers on the mat.  A home practice also allows time for a longer meditation.   

Most importantly, by integrating a home practice with attending classes, yoga will go from being an activity to a way of life. 

Here are you few tips to create your sacred space:

1. Location
Again, size doesn’t matter.  However, privacy does.  Choose a place in your home where you will not be disturbed by people or pets.  If it is a shared space with another person or activity, then using a partition or screen is recommended.   

2. Clean and De-clutter
Once you have chosen your location, clear everything out of it and clean the area of any dust, dirt, or residue.  Also clear it energetically with sage, or any other herbal cleanser of your choice, such as cedar or sweetgrass.  A clear space is a clear mind.

3. Energize
Next determine what you want in your space; for example, a yoga mat, meditation cushion or chair, blankets, and/or props.  If there is enough room, you may want some type of storage to keep the space clutter-free.    Also, if space allows, an altar table, whether it is a cardboard box or an heirloom piece from India, is recommended.  In other words, you want to have a centering piece.  Make it an altar where only inspiring and precious objects are placed.  If space doesn’t permit, then hang an inspiring picture instead.

4. Personalize
From here, add any items that reflect you and appeal to the five senses…
candles, incense, bells, gemstones, crystals, images, essential oils, affirmation cards, books, music.

5. Keep it Fresh

Once you have your sacred space, you want to keep it free of dust and clutter.  Keep the energy clear and fresh.  If you feel like your practice is in a rut, then change things around in your sacred space.  Add a picture, change a picture, or add a new candle or gemstone.  Avoid stagnation on any level.   

Now it’s time to hit the mat… Namaste!

photo by Nessa Land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Be Green and Clutter Free

How many times have you cleared clutter only to be appalled by the amount of stuff you are contributing to a landfill. Feelings of guilt arise. Between being dismayed by the amount of stuff you have accumulated and the remorse of contaminating Mother Earth, clearing clutter oftentimes becomes a project of procrastination, or worse, a permanent avoidance.

If this resonates with feelings you’ve had at some point, then help is on the way… there is no longer an excuse to put off clearing clutter. We will use the Reduce Reuse Recycle mantra as our guide for the best ways to clear clutter and be green.

Reduce

The Number One best thing about clearing clutter is that once it’s gone, once you realize just how much you have accumulated, and once you realize how little you really need, then you are so much less likely to consume as much in the future. Clearing clutter reduces future consumption. In fact, after clearing out your clutter, you will feel so much lighter that you will not want to re-clutter your space. And when you do get the itch for something new, you will be oh so much for choosy in what you purchase.

Reuse

The second tier of being green is to Reuse. In my 5 Step Guide to Clearing Clutter, I recommend separating your items into piles: trash, recycling, returns, donation, and ‘for sale’ items. Those items designated as donation and/or ‘for sale’ are actually on their way to being reused. Congratulations! So, take the time to sort these out. For any items that you want to sell for extra cash, then list them on craigslist.com or ebay. If your item(s) doesn’t sell, then your price is too high or it’s ready for either a garage sale or Goodwill.

Garage sales can be a fun way to get rid of a large volume of items that would otherwise take too long to sell online. In just 4 – 6 hours you can dramatically unload your inventory and make money doing it. Whatever items are left over, pack them up and donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, ARC or any local charities that accept donated goods. Just make sure that these items are reusable and not items that should be in the next category: recycle. (For example, your favorite sneakers from 1988 that have holes and worn-out souls should not be reused! )

Freecycle.org is another great way to have your items reused. Just list your item and have someone who needs it come and pick it up for you. No hauling. As they say, one (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure!

Recycle

Now that you have pared down your items to those no longer reusable, it’s time to recycle. So many more items are recyclable than you may think. If you don’t already recycle paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic on a regular basis, then start now. Every major city has recycling centers if they don’t already pick up at your home. Research what services your city already offers. You may be surprised. (I just learned that Nashville.gov sells 80-gallon compost bins for $40!)

What about those items that aren’t readily recycled? Earth 911! That’s right, go to www.earth911.org

Earth911 is your one stop source to finding what you can recycle and where — from mattresses to computer monitors to eyeglasses. Simply search by your zip code. It’s incredibly easy and informative!

Another option is the businesses from which the items originally came from. Here are some examples:

Dry Cleaners. For example, do you have a ton of dry cleaner’s hangers and plastic bags? Chances are they will not only take them back, but reuse them. If they don’t, consider taking your business to a greener dry cleaner.

Computers. The same is true for most computer companies. Computers contain a number of harmful chemicals, so it’s important to make sure they’re properly recycled.  Most major computer manufacturers now offer some type of recycling program. Dell will recycle any Dell product for free, and if you buy a new Dell, they’ll recycle any other brand of computer for free. Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Apple and Toshiba also have recycling programs — check their Web sites for details.

Hand-held Devices. Small electronics are full of big toxins. Instead, drop off your old cell phones, pagers and PDAs at Staples stores around the country. The company has partnered with nonprofit CollectiveGood, which collects and recycles the phones. When possible, CollectiveGood refurbishes them and puts them to use in developing countries. Otherwise, the phones and other items are broken down in an eco-friendly process and the metals are separated out for reuse or proper disposal. If there’s not a Staples store near you, you can mail your phone to the CollectiveGood — and even get a tax credit for the donation.  Other office supply stores, such as Office Depot offer recycling options as well.

Athletic Shoes. Nike has a great program that will recycle any brand of athletic shoe through its Reuse-a-Shoe program. You can drop shoes off at any Niketown store or Nike Factory store. The company processes and recycles the footwear to make sports surfaces for basketball courts, tennis courts, running tracks and playgrounds. Right now they’re collecting shoes to make athletic surfaces for New Orleans, to help bring youth sports back to the city as it rebuilds. To date, about 20 million pairs of athletic shoes worldwide have been recycled through the Reuse-A-Shoe program.

So before you throw your stuff in the garbage bin, think about the Reduce Reuse Recycle mantra. With each item consider whether it is reusable and, if not, recyclable. And, before long, you will automatically be reducing. The best thing is that it feels good to be green AND clutter free.

Being Green With Feng Shui

While the Green Movement gains momentum, Feng Shui enthusiasts and consultants are saying, “It’s about time!” Another phrase borrowed from Barbara Mandrell comes to mind, “We were ‘green’ before ‘green’ was cool.” So what does Feng Shui and being green have in common? Everything actually.

The end goal of Feng Shui and the Green Movement is the same: Living in harmony with Mother Earth. But the means is quite different.

Thousands of years ago the Chinese incorporated Feng Shui into their living spaces as a way of life. By intuitively following the way that the wind (Feng) and water (Shui) shaped the land, the Chinese would locate their homes in a way to optimally harmonize their living environment with the Earth’s energy. By living “in harmony,” our host, Mother Earth, benefited as did her guests.

Fast forward a few thousand years to 2009 A.D. One third of the Earth’s natural resources have been depleted in the last three decades. The United States alone consumes 30% of the world’s resources and 30% of its waste with only 5% of the world’s population. If every country consumed at this rate, we would need 3-5 planets. And then there are the toxins. There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals used in commerce today with U.S. industries admitting to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals annually. (See www.storyofstuff.com for more stats.)

Somewhere along the way we have gone from living in harmony with Mother Earth to destroying her. The Green Movement is about undoing this destruction. What caused the disharmony and what will bring us back in harmony is the same thing: the bottom line. Businesses are learning that it can be a win-win situation to work in harmony with the Earth. On top of that, consumers are also demanding earth-friendly products, from cars to shoes to food. What everyone is realizing is that we simply cannot continue to live on this Planet while harming it. As a result, we are coming up with smarter, better, and more cost-effective ways of living. And, in doing so, we are slowly returning to a time of respecting our host, Planet Earth.

While the Green Movement looks at how we can live harmoniously with the Earth on the physical plane, Feng Shui consultants consider the same thing but on the energetic level. Having toxins, energy inefficiencies, or lots of “stuff” is inherently not good Feng Shui and can be spotted a mile away through Feng Shui eyes. Even more so, a Feng Shui consultant can observe, feel, and improve the energy or chi (which is actually electromagnetic waves from the Earth) on the land or in a space to optimize the living environment.

While there is a difference in the means to the end, these two sciences overlap with a singular message that is spreading across the globe. And that is to live consciously. That alone will make Mother Earth smile.