I would like to know why you believe in Fengshui, or why you don't? Please try to explain scientifically.

Question

I have applied fengshui in my life, but now I'm having second thaughts, that alot of it is superstitious. ex: place things in twos in the relationship area, or use certain colors that apply to different areas of home. I believe everything is energy, but what's so wrong with putting the color black in the southern part of your home? I thaught as long as there isn't clutter, and we surround ourselves with the things we love, that's all that's necessary to achieve harmony/balance. Fengshui sais in 2008 we shouldn't sleep or disturb the southern part of our home because it may cause chaos.
I'm at a loss for words now. I'm at the point where I feel fenghui has caused me to have more clutter, just trying to get rid of it!!!!! HELP! This is all not making sense to me anymore.

Answer 1

I think some of the ideas of feng shui do speak to human psychology. You can manipulate the world around you so that it works better with your personal psychology. However, most of it is pure superstition. While having a water fountain in your home may help you relax, there is little reason to believe it must be in one area over another to achieve the desired effect. I've dabbled a bit in feng shui and I mostly pick out the more general psychological parts and leave the superstitious details alone.

As the Buddha says, (to paraphrase) believe nothing, no matter who has said it or where you read it, unless it agrees with your deepest intuition.

Answer 2

I don't think you can explain it scientifically. I have no problem with the ideas of harmony and balance, but like anything, you have to take what Fengshui says with a grain of salt. I know of a brand new building that collapsed in Taipei, Taiwan because of Fengshui (the supporting pillars caused too much clutter). I also saw a building severely damaged by fire because of Fengshui (the fire walls stopped the flow of good harmony). So, in a nutshell, do what feels right, but if something is confusing you or doesn't feel right, then it certainly won't help you to achieve harmony or balance.

Answer 3

I am a Certified Nurseryman. I have landscaped many yards. I have seen photos of Feng shui yards, they are peculiar. I am not so into the color red for one thing, and water flowing over metal being a requirement seems ridiculous to me. Water features are fine - even without the metal.

So I see it as a fad. Maybe there are people who are attracted to it, but I find it rather confining. If I wanted a yard that was similar to the Japanese style bonsai, I would plant a yard that had those elements in it, without the red and without the metal unless it actually worked with metal.

I think that what's important, is that the yard is beautiful to the person whose yard it is, and that it is ready to function in the way the owner will use it, along with the realistic use of the right elements of the yard for the climate and structures present. Fengshui seems to try to gather elements for 'natural flow', which does not seem what most people really need, or what looks best.

Answer 4

No one in this philosophy will condemn you for only using that which makes sense to you- the directions and colors are "recomedations"- probably have some good thought behind them, however- couldn't hurt-

But a lot of it does-

you may feel more comfortable using the principles -
like having your front door face the ocean (water) and the back of the house with mountains behind it - protection -

placing furniture to walk through the house easily and not crack your shins on the coffee table - duh!

thats a part of Feng Shui as well-

whats to "believe" ? You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist - doesn't matter - it's just a way to think about your space you live in -

you can be an extreme feng Shui student but don't HAVE to?
Is someone pressuring you to be "hard-core" about it?
that'd be so NON feng shui- !

lol
best,
omni

Answer 5

I think some things are more about being practical or logical then anything. Strategic placement of certain stuff, when you look at it overall, shows that you probably could have figured it out yourself.

As for the clutter bit, other then buying one or two "tools" like crystals and flutes for decorative placement, its usually too fiddly to try and get everything! Definitely would lead to clutter, and more stress...its unlikely everything will suddenly change your life just by adding an extra object.

Answer 6

Ok, you are not going to find any scientific proof because there isn't any.
It is a RELIGIOUS belief. It is not measurable.
It is FUN! It is a group of IDEAS to make your home more cleared out, and functional--it is not science.
It's like painting a room yellow will make you feel happier. It is true if you LIKE YELLOW. If yellow reminds you of your dead cat, you might not.
It is mostly based on superstitiions, like not facing your bed out a door--because THEY carry dead bodies out that way.-not in THIS country.
Also, using mirrors to liven up "dead" corners, not to guide a dragon through your house, but to bring light to darkness, nothing metaphysical, but reflection of light particles-REALLY.
As with any other religious or spiritual aspect, read, and sift through your own experience and feelings.
Does it make sense to you that a baby was born without it's mother being with a man? NO? It is a basic tenet of Christianity. It is SILLY to me.
Does it make sense to you that everything is energy and you can align your energy with other energy somehow? Yes? REad and sift. HOW does it work for YOU?
I love feng shui, not because I BELIEVE it, but it is lovely, serene and neat. I can use more of that in my life, so I use it.SOME!
My home is more peaceful now that ever before. Is it Feng shui or me? Or chi or a dragon or leprechaun? mmmm?
It might be because I am more aware of clutter, able to get it gone, enjoy the serene colors and fewer belongings inspired by the feng shui methods.

Answer 7

Ask 10 different fengshui 'experts' about how to lay out your living room and you'll get 10 different answers.
I think that speaks volumes about it's credibility.

Answer 8

Voodoo by another name. I had to turn a 165,000 square foot building 90 degrees over in China because it had bad Fengshui according to them. That one probably cost us 20 grand in engineering fees.

Answer 9

The Legacy of the Wisdom of the East
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Since the end of dynastic rule in China in 1911, Confucianism and Taoism have come under much criticism, even persecution. Taoism was discredited on account of its magical and superstitious practices. And Confucianism has been labeled as feudalistic, promoting a slave mentality to keep people, especially women, under subjection. In spite of such official denunciations, however, the basic concepts of these religions are so deeply embedded in the Chinese mind that they still have a strong hold on many of the people.

For example, under the headline “Chinese Religious Rites Rare in Beijing but Flourishing in the Coastal Regions,” the Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail reported in 1987 that after nearly 40 years of atheistic rule in China, funeral rites, temple services, and many superstitious practices are still common in rural areas. “Most villages have a *FENGSHUI* man, usually an elderly resident who knows how to read the forces of wind (feng) and water (shui) to determine the most propitious location for everything from the ancestral grave, a new house or living room furniture,” says the report.

Elsewhere, Taoism and Confucianism are found wherever traditional Chinese culture survives. In Taiwan, one man who claims to be a descendant of Chang Tao-ling presides as “celestial master” with the power to ordain Taoist priests (Tao Shih). The popular goddess Matsu, billed as “Holy Mother in Heaven,” is worshiped as the patron saint of the island and of sailors and fishermen. As for the common people, they are mostly preoccupied with making offerings and sacrifices to the spirits of the rivers, mountains, and stars; the patron deities of all the trades; and the gods of health, good luck, and wealth.

What about Confucianism? Its role as a religion has been reduced to the status of a national monument. In China at Ch’ü-fou, the birthplace of Confucius, the State maintains the Temple of Confucius and family grounds as tourist attractions. There, according to the magazine China Reconstructs, performances are put on “reenacting a ritual of worship for Confucius.” And in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other places in eastern Asia, people still celebrate Confucius’ birthday. (Does Christ or his Father condone the celebration of birthdays? No)

In Confucianism and Taoism, we see how a system based on human wisdom and reasoning, no matter how logical and well-meaning, ultimately falls short in the search for the true God. Why? Because it leaves out one essential element, namely, the will and requirements of a personal God.

Confucianism turns to human nature as the motivating force to do good, and Taoism turns to nature itself. But this is misplaced confidence because it simply amounts to worshiping created things rather than the Creator.

(Psalm 62:9; 146:3, 4; Jeremiah 17:5)

Hope this has helped. Some of the decorations are very pretty, the design of Fengshui, but keep in mind this should not set a Godly presidence in one's life whatsoever. True Christians still turn to God for answers and the truth about mankind, and what the future holds for mankind.

Answer 10

I suspect someone made some good money off of you though. So it was successful from their point of view.

It's a bit like bigfoot, loch ness monster, aliens etc. The success isn't measured in how many you find, the success is in how many books you sell.