Ingrid's Inner Sanctum
Presents from the Universe
As we begin a new work and school season, it's time to take a close look at some of the principles behind Feng Shui - the ancient philosophy that governs the metaphysical layout of your home or office. Once you have followed the advice of a book or consultant and tweaked the d?cor of your home to enhance its energies, what can you expect? In our fast-paced modern society, it is not surprising that people may consider Feng Shui to be a magic wand. They expect that once they make the adjustments, their issues will all be resolved and their dreams will suddenly all be fulfilled. Shifting the colours or furniture placement, or adding certain elements, do set the stage for the changes that your higher self actually desires. Dramatic breakthroughs can indeed occur when someone with a very clear intent or goal conscientiously and carefully makes appropriate Feng Shui d?cor adjustments. But equally often, the changes can be much more subtle, and can occur at any level, including in your attitudes, beliefs and feelings, rather than only in your material circumstances right at the outset of your Feng Shui voyage.
In order for the universe to present its blessings of abundance to you, you have to be present. Every Feng Shui adjustment that you make results in energy changes. In order to benefit from them, you need to be aware, in the moment, of what is changing for you. Whatever comes into your life after you make Feng Shui changes is a communication from the universe. It is your job to determine what the message is, and what your part is. That is how we co-create our future, by being fully present and aware of what is happening in the moment.
There are many pleasant aspects to this. People who make use of Feng Shui are often delighted with the many synchronicities and wonderful opportunities that do suddenly present themselves, usually quite quickly and dramatically. For instance, a couple sought my advice because they sensed that their home was not meeting their aspirations. They both had 2 teenage children from their first marriages, and had bought a large home that could accommodate everyone and be filled with happy times together as a family. When they turned to Feng Shui, only 1 of the offspring were still living at home, and it was apparent that the distance that had emerged between their sons and daughters was also causing some strain in the marital relationship. In assessing their situation, it became apparent that the source of their difficulties was the triangular-shaped lot: the Children/Future energy zone and some of the Marriage zone were missing from their property. I recommended that they employ a transcendental technique called the Red String Cure to bring these zones back into their lives. The day after they had used this technique, I received this note: " I came home from shopping to find all 4 children down in the recreation room, just hanging out and having a wonderful time together. Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to see such results!"
These excellent quick outcomes, while encouraging, may be short-lived. Generally, the most effective and long-lasting Feng Shui rewards occur when the changes arise more gradually and affect us at a deeper level. When this is about to happen, it is often preceded by an "opportunity" that we would rather not have. In homeopathy, the healing of chronic diseases is often preceded by what is referred to as a "healing crisis" wherein the symptoms may become worse before they are ameliorated. In Feng Shui, similarly, you may find that the energy may shift in a direction that looks at the outset as if your circumstances are deteriorating. Recognize this as a signal that shifts are indeed happening. As uncomfortable as it may be at first, learn to first welcome such events and discern what they are communicating to you so that, in turn, you can receive the blessings that the universe is waiting to bestow.
A personal example illustrates this point. Even though I was a professional Feng Shui consultant, and had received many positive benefits from applying my know-how to my own life, at one point I felt that I was somewhat stuck. As I looked around my home, I realized that the gray walls were rather depressing and worn, and so was I. The main living areas and hallways were treated to new paint in much more earthy and vibrant tones, and the whole family immediately felt more energetic and purposeful. When I returned home following a short vacation soon after the painting had been completed, tiny larva had taken over the kitchen. Day after day, I would wake up to find more and more of these nasty creatures- the more I removed them, it seems that twice that number would reappear a short time thereafter. After a few days of clearly losing the battle, the exterminator confirmed that the culprits were meal-moths, and he showed me their nests in virtually every food item in the pantry. As I put all my activities on hold for a day or two to dispose of all the food and clean out all the kitchen cupboards with bleach, I asked myself: "Why did this infestation happen? What is the universe trying to tell me?" As I scrubbed and cleaned, I realized that just as these ugly meal-moths were eating their way through my food, there was something unpleasant in my life that was eating me up! It involved a long-standing commitment that was draining me. Thanks to that insight, I was able to move on to a new situation that immediately presented itself, and that has infused my life with new adventures, energy, and purpose
As the renowned anthropologist Joseph Campbell noted "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." So if you sense that you are not living life to your full potential, consider changing your environment with Feng Shui. But don't be content with sudden dramatic shifts in your circumstances; use your Feng Shui experiences to come into closer contact with your higher self and with the gods!
