Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is the ancient Eastern art of
placement and design.
As I prepared to welcome spring this month, by cleaning and turning flowerbeds, checking compost piles, poring through plant and seed catalogues, and dreaming landscapes, it caused me to reflect on the importance of welcoming in general, and the importance of welcoming specifically in Feng Shui.
I remember once hearing a great spiritual teacher say that it is the dharma of water to quench thirst, the dharma of a tree to give shade, and the dharma of a human being to welcome. Such a beautiful concept, and such a joyful practice. If you’re unfamiliar with the term dharma, it can be loosely translated as the highest and best quality or action inherent in every aspect of creation.
When you feel welcomed, your entire being relaxes. You experience a simple, yet profound, joy. A true welcome is a gentle expression of love, of acceptance, and it demonstrates a kind of delight at your very existence! And as wonderful as it is to receive this kind of welcome, it is as wonderful to offer it as well.
So how do we apply this principle to Feng Shui? Let’s begin with what you see and sense as you first approach your home. Approach it as a stranger might, someone who is coming to see you for the very first time. As you draw near, notice what first catches your attention. What is the overall energy or impression that you encounter upon nearing your home? Is it light, uplifting, beautiful? Or does it seem drab, neglected, depressing?
Sometimes, we ourselves are not the best judges of this. You might consider asking a friend or two for their impressions. We want the energy and appearance of a place to beckon us closer. How you achieve that is a matter of personal taste and style. There’s not a Feng Shui right or wrong with this, although we always keep Feng Shui principles foremost in our mind.
Feng Shui always likes to see an area that allows for the yang energy of the outer world to settle and dissipate before we enter the yin world of the home. Sometimes this is accomplished with a porch or landing outside the front door, sometimes it’s accomplished with an entry or foyer just inside the home. Even if your space was not designed with a formal entry or welcome area, you can create one yourself.
Begin on the outside of the front door, by creating beauty that makes you want to linger for a moment just before entering your space. Again, this can be a matter of your own taste and style. For some it could be statuary, potted plants, and a brightly painted door. For someone else it could be a plaque with an uplifting saying and a silk wreath on the door. It’s up to you.
Of course, Feng Shui always likes to see us use the front door, or the formal entrance, to come and go. As this is the “mouth of chi”, or the way that the life force enters the entire space, it’s vitally important to the wellbeing of those living in the home that this entry be well used. It’s tempting to use back doors and garage doors and utility rooms to enter, but this will always result in less than optimal Feng Shui. I hear again and again from people what a difference disciplining themselves to use their front door has made in their lives. It’s well worth the effort.
So, now it’s time to step through the front door. Ideally, you step into an entry or welcome area designed into the space. Yet suppose that isn’t the case. It’s a simple matter to create a very welcoming entry. A small table or shelf to hold keys and personal belongings would be a first step. In both the Traditional Compass School and Buddhist Black Sect School of Feng Shui, a small water fountain is appropriate at the entry, and adds a charming welcome.
You’d also want to create an open, uncluttered effect. This is
not the place to store coats, hats, or your recycling! Pay attention to what your
eyes first fall upon when the door opens. This sets the energy for what you experience for
the rest of your stay. Really play with this, and check with others. You may think that
when the door opens you look straight ahead, but this is rarely the case. We’ll
continue to explore this theme of welcoming in the next issue. This is a wonderfully rich
topic and there’s much more to share.
And so, until next month, I wish you many blessings and great happiness. Please feel free
to fax me at 713-861-9243, e-mail me at joani@wt.net, or
call me at 713-861-0903 with your questions, feedback, or personal experience. I
look forward to hearing from you soon!
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