Get Outta Here! Nature is Calling
Research indicates that 20 million people in the U.S. are suffering from some form of depression.
While this is a staggering statistic to digest, it does not sound so far-fetched when you consider the over stimulating world in which we live.
Factor in that most folks spend their working days in front of computer screens under fluorescent lighting with recirculating air, and it is no wonder that lethargy and despondency are so common.
It’s time to follow nature’s lead and get yourself outside and play.
In feng shui, each season is associated with an element. Spring brings in wood energy, which represents new beginnings. Summer corresponds with the fire element. From fire comes action.
Natural light and fresh air can make such a difference in your life. It can help you increase your level of energy and decrease your level of stress. Continue Reading…
Dolphin Inspired Feng Shui
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. Continue Reading…
Yin & Yang: Nature’s Equalizers
The other day I was feeling a little out of sorts and when that happens I like to view my imbalance from a feng shui perspective.
I identified the problem to be that I was both wired and tired at the same time – a strange cycle of somewhat opposing feelings. This deduction made me think about yin and yang, which are described in feng shui as the extreme opposites of each other.
Yin is considered quiet/cool energy and relates to winter, while yang is more active/hot and is associated with summer. Continue Reading…
Mother Nature – Let’s Connect and Show Some Respect
As I succumb to winter, it occurred to me that acceptance and appreciation go hand in hand with respect.
Accepting the change in seasons and learning to appreciate the beauty each one has to offer is a way of honoring nature and trusting in the natural rhythm of life.
In a state of surrender, I was recently clearing my deck and bringing in plants to protect them from the cold. I was alarmed by one’s broken branch, but my concern soon turned to intrigue as it allowed me to notice the beautiful intricacy of the leaves.
It got me thinking about how Mother Earth is constantly nourishing us and tending to our senses. She paints a beautiful landscape through flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. She feeds us with fresh fruits and vegetables. Continue Reading…
Feng Shui Sound Therapy
Crickets and catbirds and crows, oh my….
I enjoy a morning ritual of yoga and when weather permits I take my practice outside to my deck. I find that connecting to nature immediately upon rising is a nurturing and grounding way for me to start my day.
At the break of dawn one morning, my auditory senses seemed to be more tuned in than usual as I became keenly aware of an amazing orchestra of sounds. Continue Reading…
Feng Shui – Being Inspired by Nature
Communing with wildlife and nature spirits in my garden is a favorite pastime for me.
My yard backs up to a bird sanctuary that is home to a forest and a wetland habitat. As a feng shui practitioner and nature lover, I spend joyous hours reaping the benefits of my environment while offering appreciation and taking in the wonders of Mother Nature.
One cold winter day, my dearest friend and I were sitting in my kitchen as she lovingly provided her support during a potentially challenging time (which thankfully turned out to have a positive outcome.) Continue Reading…
Fundamentals of Feng Shui Gardening
One of the earliest meanings of feng shui is the study of climate, geology and vegetation. It was thousands of years ago in China that the seeds of this natural science were sown.
Natural climatic conditions such as wind and water were viewed as sacred signs that were looked upon by shamans as ways to help determine the most auspicious places for houses, altars and graves. When ideal spaces were not attainable, their search for remedies led to the ideology of feng shui, blending Taoism, astronomy, alchemy, astrology and shamanism.
In early times, Chinese philosophers seeking refuge and the serenity of nature headed to the countryside to paint landscapes of majestic mountains reaching up toward misty skies with winding rivers and pine trees. Their awe of natural beauty was expressed on silk scrolls, screens and ceramics, as well as through verse, poetry and calligraphy. It was from this desire to be in harmony with the natural world that the philosophy of Taoism was founded, based on simplicity, intuition, spontaneity and the way (Tao) of nature.
Feng shui is about the flow of chi and how it affects the human energy field. Taoism is about the unity of humanity and nature. Combining the two, it became apparent that having comfortable and harmonious environments helped inhabitants to survive and thrive.
Remove It and Move On – Feng Shui and Spring Cleaning
Nature is beautiful in its imperfections and seems to express itself most fervently with the arrival of Spring.
Life wakes up from the deep sleep of winter and everything comes alive. People just can’t wait to shed layers of clothing and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin. Nature responds the same way. The crocus and daffodil plants push their way thru the earth as they sprout new stalks and reach for the sun. Shrubs and trees start to form buds and are turning green.
The Chinese system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth is referred to as feng shui. This ancient philosophy demonstrates that the world is defined by the following five elements of nature: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
Feng Shui and Old Man Winter
“It sure been a cold, cold winter
My feet been draggin’ ‘cross the ground
And the fields has all been brown and fallow
And the springtime take a long way around”
~ M. Jagger/K. Richards
In 1943, the American psychologist Abraham Maslow first introduced his theory of personality widely known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The hierarchy consists of five basic needs:
- Biological and Physiological—basic life needs such as oxygen, food, water and sleep
- Safety—protection, security, law and order
- Belonging— family, affection, relationships
- Esteem—self-respect, achievement, status
- Self-Actualization—personal growth, fulfillment
While the hierarchy indicates that our physical survival is the basic need, Maslow’s observation was that a person will not feel the second need until the first one has been satisfied, nor will they fulfill the third level without satisfying the second one.
Summer Time and the Living is Easy – Feng Shui and the Fire Element
I realize that hot weather isn’t for everybody, but for me summer is the time of year that gives me the most energy and fills me with tons of enthusiasm.
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. Continue Reading…
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