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New
Article
THE FENG SHUI OF GIVING by Stephanie Roberts
The premise that everything in our inner
and outer experience is connected is integral to feng shui, and is especially
important when applying feng shui to issues of wealth and prosperity.
Experienced feng shui practitioners look at the ba gua not just as a
pattern of areas of influence, but also as a guide to how these different
aspects of life are connected.
As we explored in the previous issue,
hsun gua (the "wealth" or "fortunate blessings" area, located
in the far left or SE of a space) is about more than just money: it
has to do with receiving the generosity of others and of the Universe
in all forms. When money issues are foremost in a client's mind, skilled
practitioners may begin with an examination of hsun gua (the "wealth"
area), but they will also explore what is going on in another key area.
Chien gua, in the opposite corner of the ba gua (near right or
NW of a space), is hsun gua's dynamic partner. Often referred to as
the "benefactors" or "helpful friends" area, chien gua is generally
thought of when there is a need for mentoring, support, or assistance
of some kind. When we are dealing with money issues, however, chien
gua reminds us to examine how we are acting as a benefactor to others,
by giving generously of our time, attention, experience, insight, skills,
and yes, our money if we have any to spare.
Giving is the natural counterpart to receiving. In order to fully experience
abundance, money needs to flow through, not just into, your life. One
good way to incorporate the energy of giving into your quest for greater
prosperity is to think about how getting what you want will also benefit
others. As you imagine your desired future prosperity unfolding, include
details about how others will benefit as well.
For example, you might start by thinking about how easing your money
anxiety will improve your relationship with your family. Then you might
think about gifts you would like to buy for family and friends this
holiday season. You could consider how having enough money to paying
your bills on time supports the businesses and people who provide you
with goods and services. If your desire for a luxury vacation were to
be fulfilled, consider how that would benefit hotel and restaurant employees
at the resort where you will stay, the site-seeing tour operators, and
how your vacation purchases will help in a small way to support that
local economy. If your dream is to be able to afford a newer car or
a bigger house, think about the person who will buy or lease your old
one and the benefits it will provide to its new owner. As you imagine
what it will be like to have more than enough money for all of your
personal and family needs, think about what charitable organizations
you would like to support as you have more and more available to give.
I don't believe that it is "better to give than to receive." I believe
that giving and receiving are perfectly balanced complements that together
create a powerful whole, like the yin and yang represented in the tai
chi symbol. Giving is so integral to prosperity because it opens the
heart to receive. It is a powerful way to express your gratitude and
appreciation for all that you have received, and your trust that even
more blessings will come to you in the future.
Most people who are blessed with wealth feel a desire to give back in
some way. For example, many people think of Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft,
as someone who enjoys immense wealth and power, without giving thought
to the fact that he is also among the world's greatest philanthropists.
When you give--whether to an individual, a charitable organization,
as a patron of the arts, or to your church--you embody this important
aspect of wealth and place yourself in the company of millionaires and
billionaires around the globe.
It has often been said that money can't buy happiness, but I don't believe
that's true, either. If you are fortunate enough to have a little extra
coming in this holiday season - even if it's just a dollar or two -
try giving some of it away. If you don't have money to give, look for
opportunities to be a "helpful friend" to others by giving of your time,
knowledge and skills, or your compassion. You'll discover a very special
kind of happiness that only comes through sharing your fortunate blessings
with others.
(Most questions will have been edited for clarity
and length, and any identifying details have been changed. Please note
that due to the high volume of email I receive, it is no longer possible
for me to respond to every question personally. I still welcome your
questions, and if I cannot provide a personal response I will try to
address your issue in a future Q+A column.)
Q: I am having a problem figuring out which
door to use as my reference point for feng shui. The house I live in
was originally a summer-cottage that has been renovated for year-round
living. Many renovations since the 1940s have reoriented the entrance
and changed the original floor-plan.
The original entrance was in the south, with an open porch reached by
a stairway, and a nice view of the ocean. The stairway has been removed
and the porch enclosed to create a sunroom, so there is no longer an
entrance to the house on that side. The entrance we use, on the north
side of the house, was cut into the rear of the house and opens to the
kitchen by the main bath. I always refer to it as the back door even
though it is now our main entrance. There is a more formal door on the
west side, but we never use it because it is small, dark, and unwelcoming.
Which door do you think I shouldI use as the "entrance"? We cannot afford
to rebuild, although I often think that is the only solution in this
frustrating house.
A: Although I can't provide a definitive answer
based on a written description (I would have to see the house for myself),
entry confusion is certainly an issue here. Also, the fact that this
was originally a part-time vacation home, now converted to year-round
residence, has an element of confused purpose as well.
You are probably right that the best solution would be to remodel. Ideally,
I would suggest creating a new "main" entry on the south side, so that
the entry and facing direction (that nice ocean view) are the same.
Since remodelling is not an option for you, it will be very important
to look for ways to create more of a "main door" look and feel to the
north-side door that you use. (The west door, although "more formal"
that the door you are using now, was not the original front door so
it's okay to go on not using that one.)
This may include painting the door to stand out more (black or dark
blue would be appropriate colors for the north side of the house), adding
planter boxes or landscaping, improving the path, house numbers, outdoor
lights, etc. Anything you can do to create a clear path to your chosen
door, and a feeling of "yes, this is the way in," will help. Do what
you can to create the impression of a definedl entry space inside as
well. A small bookcase or cabinet and an area rug just inside the doorway
will help to define a place to pause and deposit keys and mail.
Another option, of course, is to use the ba gua according to the compass
directions (with North at kan gua/Career) for the house as a whole.
If you prefer the doorway orientation method, you can use the ba gua
that way when working with each individual room within the house.
Featured
Resource
CREATIVE VISUALIZATION
By Shakti Gawain
Use the power of your imagination to create what you want in your
life. Allow your own energy to guide you to clarity and watch
as things seem to magically fall into place.
Featured
Charities This Holiday Season, I encourage you to keep
your local and global communities in mind and to give what you can to
those in need. Here are a few of our favorite charities:
"Since 1936, Children International has been
providing assistance to children and families struggling in terrible
poverty. Today, through sponsorship, we help children in 10 countries
– Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras,
India, Nepal, the Philippines and the United States. And through children
and family assistance programs in Kenya and Zambia, we’re giving hope
to children and adults affected by extreme poverty. With your help –
through our sponsorship and child and family assistance programs – we
can continue to help poor children grow up healthy and educated."
Click here to find out how $0.60
a day can make a difference in a child's health, education and well-being
as well as provide for a brighter future.
Habitat
for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization building simple,
decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need. Volunteers
and partner families provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate
donors provide money and materials to build Habitat for Humanity houses.
Habitat for Humanity houses are sold to partner families at no profit
and with no interest charged; mortgage payments are used to build more
houses. Habitat for Humanity has built more than 100,000 houses, working
in all 50 U.S. states and 82 other countries around the world. Click
here to find out the different ways you can support Habitat for
Humanity.
One of our favorite charities. This
wonderful organization provides livestock to families and communities
in need around the world. Families gain a means of producing a steady
source of food and income, as well as new skills and self-esteem from
the training and support they receive in caring for their animals. Children
have the chance to grow strong and healthy from better nutrition. Many
families use income from their animals to educate their children, offering
hope for a better future for all. The next generation of animals is
passed on to other families in the community. For more details, visit Heifer
International.
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Feng Shui books, please let us know how it helped you and what you
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This newsletter is published approximately
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Feng
Shui Ebooks.com - The popular Fast Feng Shui ebooks are now
available in ebook format for immediate download: Fast
Feng Shui ebbok for transforming areas of your life by energizing
your home; and Fast
Feng Shui for Singles to transform your home and heart into environments
that welcome romance.
(c)
2004 Stephanie Roberts. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to
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