Kailua-Kona is a magical land located on the West Coast of The Big Island of Hawaii.

It was my privilege to spend a glorious vacation swimming with wild spinner dolphins and experiencing the stunning corals, fish, turtles, and humpback whales who call this gorgeous island their home.

The instantaneous bonding of love and oneness that I felt deep in my soul as I integrated with pods (groups) of dolphins in the healing waters of Kona is something words cannot describe. 

These very playful and social creatures are pure love, joy, and wisdom. 

Their cohesive behavior is a clear parallel to one of the most important aspects of feng shui – the Tao connection. 

Taoism teaches us that we are all connected.  From a feng shui perspective, who we are is influenced by where we are, and our interaction and relationship with the natural world is crucial for happiness and health. 

I thought it would be fun to tap into the playful and wise dolphin energy and see what they might teach us about feng shui using the bagua.

Considered a mapping tool, the bagua reveals how different areas in our space are connected to specific aspects of our lives.  Hold it so that the bottom sectors, Wisdom, Self, and Helpful People, are aligned with the entry to a room (as if you are facing towards it and about to step in.) 

If you see an area that you would like to enhance, see tips for incorporating corresponding color and elements.

Using the bagua, feng shui tips that dolphins might share! 

You have all that you need.
Self Empowerment
Prosperity and abundance 
Purple, Red, Green, Gold, Wood, Water 

Respect all of nature, yourself and others. Lead by example.
Future
Integrity and honor
Red, Fire, Wood

Share your feelings.  Choose equality, love, kindness. 
Accept each other.
Relationships
Unconditional love
Pink, Red, Earth, Fire

Let’s get along with others.  Think pods–not being at odds.
Community/Family
Interconnectedness
Green, Black, Blue, Wood, Water

Eat what is in your environment. Support local farm markets. Be aware of your breath.
Mind Body Spirit
Health and diet
Yellow, Brown, Orange, Earth, Fire

Play, be flexible; jump for joy…just because. 
Creativity
White, Yellow, Metal, Earth

Teach and protect the young ones.  Meditate for inner peace.
Wisdom
Clarity and faith
Blue, Black, Green, Earth

Be inspired and fearless.  Do what you love. Allow.
Self – The Journey
Self-actualization and grace
Black, Blue, Water, Metal

Be compassionate towards yourself and others. Smile.
Helpful People
Support and selflessness
Silver, Gray, White, Black, Metal, Water

Let’s learn from these intelligent, non-judgmental, and playful beings.  Feel free to email me with any questions:  susan@balanceyoursurroundings.com

Mohala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua.

Unfolded by water are the faces of flowers. Flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good.  

Hawaiian Saying

Basically, all things are comprised of chi or energy.  It is the invisible life-force that is present in everything that exists in nature, connecting the yang energy of heaven with the yin energy of earth.  Without it nothing would survive.

Because our five senses help us interpret our environment, chi can also be described as what we see, smell, hear, taste and touch.

Feng shui is about tuning into your environment and learning how to balance and enhance the flow of chi.  A sensorial experience is lacking when there is an imbalance of chi.

According to the Touch Research Institute, pre-term infants that were massaged experienced a 31 to 47% weight gain over newborns that were not receiving massage therapy.  Now, that is a sensorial experience!

Skin is considered our largest sense organ.  Nerve endings in the skin transmit sensations to the brain.  The sensation of touch helps us to experience our space via physical contact.

An instant calm comes to me through the simple action of petting my cat.  Feeling the vibration of her purrs, the softness of her fur, and the heat of her body as she is curled up in my lap brings me such peace.  Tapping into my sense of touch during this interaction brings in a harmonious flow of chi.

Most of us love the pampered feeling of freshly laundered sheets against our bodies, the comfort of that perfect bed pillow or the warmth that the softness of a chenille blanket provides on a cold night. 

Interestingly enough, however, physical contact is not always necessary to experience touch.  We are affected by the mere appearance of certain fabrics such as satin or velvet.  Just by having them in our space, we can experience in our minds how they feel. 

Through the chi of touch, we can also apply the aspects of yin and yang.  A smooth surface represents the metal element and can encourage going within or yin; a course surface represents fire and action and is considered yang.   The key is to learn how to balance out all five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and yin/yang.

Textures can provoke emotions or bring fond memories. Fabrics that invite touching are likely to project the desire to connect on an emotional level.  Apply a little feng shui and consider the messages being delivered by your furnishings. 

Paying more attention to your tactile experiences will help you to create a space that is comforting and nourishing for you!

All winter long I look forward to being outside where I can connect with nature, eavesdrop on conversations that the birds are having, and absorb the warmth of the sun on my skin as I maintain my garden.  The aromatic fragrances that the peonies, honeysuckle and magnolias have to offer only add to my rejuvenation process.  I am truly in a sensorial heaven.

Our Connection with Nature
The system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth is referred to as feng shui.  This ancient Chinese philosophy examines how human beings respond and react to their environments. 

One of the most important principals of feng shui is “The Tao” connection.  The Tao Te Ching, which was written by Lao Tzu roughly 2,500 years ago, teaches us that the Tao (pronounced ‘dow’) is the way we are linked to all things.  Other common translations of Tao include the path, the way, or the road.  Tao is often described as a force that flows through all life. It also means recognizing our interconnections to the natural world, our families, friends, communities, the universe and higher power.

Surprisingly, according to the American Lung Association, the average person spends approximately 90% of their time indoors in a sealed environment.  Yet, Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson, who coined the term biophilia (love of living things), believes that we have “an innate affiliation with or an attraction to other forms of life.”   Engaging in outdoor activities during the long days of summer not only strengthens the Tao connection by allowing us to interact with our loved ones and communities, it can also lower blood pressures, boost the immune system and reduce stress.   Studies indicate that what we see accounts for 70% of what we process mentally.  The sun is perceived as yellow, a color that communicates brightness and equates to optimism.  As a result, the sun naturally produces a feel good hormone.

Fire:  The Element of Summer
In addition to the Tao, another integral component of feng shui is the five-element theory or understanding that the world is defined by the following elements of nature:  Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.  Each element has its own specific characteristics, and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape.

While the element for spring is wood, representing growth and new beginnings, the element that corresponds with the ensuing summer season is fire.  The buds that formed in spring are now nourished by the summer sun as they continue to blossom and flourish.  Fire is radiant, warm and expansive. It is a very powerful element and, like the sun, is considered masculine.  Fire is a symbol of passion, and of all the five elements has the most yang (active) energy.

The direction that corresponds to fire is south and, as can be expected, the colors that are associated with it are reds, reddish purples and magenta.  The color red is considered a call to action.  In keeping with the laws of nature, birds have a good sense of color and bright red flowers get their attention for pollination.

Fire, whose shape is triangular or pointed, is all about transformation, motivation and inspiration.  It represents the opposite of lethargy or depression and reduces sadness.   In conjunction with the Tao connection and the elemental characteristics of fire, summer is the time when we get together with family and friends for outdoor barbeques, pool parties, graduations or other celebrations.  Spend one day on a public beach or boardwalk on a hot summer’s day and you will witness ongoing movement and feel the constant buzz of activity and interaction.  In the summer season, yang energy abounds.  We have a tendency to stay up later and wake up earlier.  The days of summer last longer and give us the most warmth.  In our body, this equates to the ability to establish relationships, feel passion, playfulness, and relaxation.

A Holistic View
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a holistic healthcare system used in China for more than 2,000 years that aims to treat the whole person rather than just the disease, the acupuncture meridians related to the fire element are the heart (yin) and small intestines (yang).  TCM practitioners convey that summer is the time to nourish and balance the energies of these organs.  When there is a balance, the heart properly circulates blood, creating a healthy breakdown of food in the small intestines. An imbalance could result in insomnia, low energy, digestive problems or cardiac disease.

According to TCM, it is important that we align our diets with the different seasons.  Summer is the season to eat foods that benefit the heart and to introduce cooling foods.  Certain fruits and vegetables will help you adjust your body temperature.  Examples include:  asparagus, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, celery, cucumbers, oranges, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries, snow peas, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini.

Balance is Key
Feng shui teaches us that it is important to balance each of the five elements.  Too much of the fire element in an environment can over-stimulate chi (life force or energy) which can cause burnout, impatience or anger.   An imbalance of the fire element can also injure the heart which can lead to fevers, heat stroke and other heat related ailments.  When the heart is in balance, the blood will flow easily.

The human body is more than two-thirds water.  Loss of water can lead to dehydration.  While sweating has a cleansing effect and rids the body of accumulated toxins, be careful not to get overheated and sweat too much as this could lead to fatigue and exhaustion.  To increase your mental and physical performance, it is essential to keep cool and hydrated by drinking plenty of water.  It is also important to restore your body with adequate sleep.  Preventative treatment in the summer months can protect you from getting colds or flu during the winter.

Joy is the emotion of the fire element.   Take advantage of the extra energy that summer has to offer by getting out and doing something that you love.  Let the active power of fire energy warm your heart, nourish your spirit and fill you with laughter, vitality, and inspiration.