Chi

Chi (chee) is the energy, or force, that connects people with their surroundings. Chi circulates the earth, it circulates the atmosphere and it circulates within and around your body. This energy is in a perpetual state of change, as are you, whether you are aware of it or not. It is vital to your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being. Without change there is stagnation.

Chi is described as many things – energy, cosmic breath, life force – but it is more than that. It is tangible yet intangible and elusive. It is expressed in everything we do, everything we see and everything we surround ourselves with. Each of us possesses a certain quality of chi. It carries our bodies. Yet its characteristics and the ways in which it moves is different within each of us. It is the breath essential to maintaining physical, environmental, and emotional balance. When the Chi in your body is blocked or out of balance, you may experience illness, depression or aches and pains. When the Chi in your environment is out of balance, it will reflect in your life. You may experience relationship difficulties, problems in business or general “bad luck”

There is a chi of time, of direction, of the stars, of the movement of the planet, of numbers and characters, of colours and shapes, of seasons, people and their careers, of stillness and of movement. It is all encompassing.

Feng Shui is a way of understanding chi and of how it moves in our environment. It is a way of understanding how our environment impacts upon us over time and how to use that understanding to help fulfill our goals and dreams.

Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are considered to be the Way of heaven and earth. These twin forces describe the two fundamental, interactive forces of nature. It is believed that to be in balance, one must be in harmony with these two forces.

The model of yin and yang explain the perpetual change of all things. One cannot exist without the other. We cannot experience light without dark, stillness without movement, happiness without sadness. Each acts upon the other to initiate movement.

Nothing is completely yin or completely yang.

Within our homes, it is believed that we need a balance of yin and yang within each room. A room that is that is dark in colour, has little light and is always cold may be considered too yin (stagnant chi). Too much time in a room like this and you may feel “stuck” or even become ill. Conversely, a room that is stark white, very light (excessive yang chi), has lots of windows and is generally too warm can be too yang. Too much time in a room like this can also result in illness through a loss of too much energy.

Sheng Chi

Sheng Chi is another term for lucky or prosperous chi. When chi is balanced and is flowing, then it is termed Sheng Chi. Sheng Chi brings openings, progress, satisfaction, fertility and so on i.e. the blessings of life.

Sha Chi & Secret Arrows

In contrast to Sheng Chi is Sha Chi. Sha is unlucky chi. It is the chi of problems, blocks, degeneration, sickness, obstacles, accidents and setbacks. It is unbalanced energy. If something causes you discomfort, you can label it SHA. It may be obvious such as a foul smell or loud noise, or it may be something you just can’t put your finger on. It may be stagnant or excessive. Living with sha’s can undermine your welfare.