Feng shui (traditional Chinese: 風水; simplified Chinese: 风水; pinyin: fēng shuǐ; pronounced /ˈfəŋˌʃueɪ/ foong-shoy in Chinese Mandarin, "fheng-schway" in American English) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese: 堪輿; simplified Chinese: 堪舆; pinyin: kānyú; literally: Tao of heaven and earth).

The words feng shui literally translate as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty:

Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.

Traditional Feng Shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or Luo Pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Feng Shui - Courses by the Masters

Those who earn the title of Master are gifted and trained in the art. They dedicate their lives to the principles and teachings of feng shui, offering guidance and expertise to those who need it. People take feng shui courses to attain guidance towards the best treatments for their homes and offices in order to improve their lives and live in harmony with their surroundings. All masters depend on the bagua-the map of the feng shui energy world. The bagua is depicted in tradition as an eight-area octagon. The eight sections surround the tai chi, the central area. Yin and Yang are represented through broken and solid lines, respectively. Each area of the Bagua corresponds to an area in your life.

In Asia, it is not uncommon for these masters to be consulted in matters of building and architectural planning and construction. The architects, planners and designers would attend special feng shui courses or request a one-on-one consultation with a master, to determine the proper positioning or orientation of rooms, doors and windows with respect to the users and the users' environment. A master does not need to know about architecture and structural engineering. He need only consult on his knowledge of Feng Shui and energy. The architects and designers would then construct their building with it in mind.

This specialization in 'the art of placement' dates back to thousands of years ago in ancient China. The Chinese are known for the careful and diligent preservation of their written texts and documents. This same care and diligence was applied in the study of feng shui. Ancient masters conducted a very precise, very empirical research on this matter, checking hundreds or thousands of houses to see if the owners have indeed applied these principles in their homes. After deducing this, they regularly checked in with the homeowners to see if indeed their lives are changing in one way or another with their efforts. Every single piece of data they came up with was then documented into huge volumes and tomes of what is now well-preserved artifact. It is on this basis, with thousands of years of knowledge and tested application, that masters would conduct their feng shui courses To get a sitting in one of these courses would be an honourable and priceless experience.

While there are tons of information on the fascinating art in the ancient Chinese language, they have yet to acquire English translation. The good thing about this is that the more Western people are getting hooked on this ancient art, the more they are trying to research and acquire valuable information about it.

Every year, there are more and more people who get so much into feng shui that their knowledge and studies qualify them to be masters. The more people look to it for their building, environment and design guidance needs, the more experts emerge and the more feng shui courses are conducted. It is important to note that it is always more advisable and practical, where possible, to seek the wisdom and guidance of a master or the right teachings when you are designing your own home. As this will lay the foundations of your environment and affect the lives of your family in your house for the time you live there. Having said that, if your house is already built, there are remedies and cures that you can use to counteract bad placements by learning this ancient art yourself.

Consulting the correct teachings will be a great start for your feng shui journey. Once everything is in order, you will soon notice the many beautiful changes that will flow into your life.



Autor: Lin Mai

Lin Mai is a Feng Shui enthusiast. For more expert advice, tips or even try her online email feng shui courses, visit http://www.waytofengshui.com and learn the secrets to start feng shui-ing your life.


Added: September 30, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

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