(excerpt from the Introduction)
While feng shui may not result in that winning lottery ticket you dream of, it brings many other benefits by creating a more harmonious and balanced flow of chi through your home. Just as fresh air, clean water and natural foods support the physical health of our bodies, so does fresh, clean chi--the life force present in all things--support an energetically healthy home or workplace.
If the flow of chi in your space is blocked or weak you may feel tired, discouraged, and unable to focus on what steps to take next in order to increase your income or pay off your debts. Where chi flows too strongly you may feel out of control, overly emotional, or anxious much of the time. Your work life and finances may feel unstable as you struggle to "keep your head above water" through what may seem like an endless string of bad luck.
The objective of feng shui is to analyze the layout and decor of your home, diagnose problems, and prescribe appropriate solutions. Shape, color, texture, sound, light, imagery, and the arrangement of your furniture can all be used to adjust the energy of your home. The result is an attractive, safe, and nurturing space where you can live in comfort and more effectively and successfully pursue your goals for financial prosperity.
A key assumption of feng shui is that certain areas of your home impact specific aspects of your life. When the areas of your home that affect your finances are cluttered, stagnant, or missing from your floor plan, it can be difficult to attract or hold on to money. Other feng shui problems that can affect your finances include sha chi (harmful energy) such as "secret arrows" aimed your desk. Poor feng shui can lead to increased arguments and miscommunication, affect your reputation at work, and hinder your personal growth-all of which may contribute to financial difficulties.
Another key assumption of feng shui is that everything is connected. Your thoughts and feelings, even your behavior, can be influenced by your surroundings, while the state of your home or work space is a reflection of your mood and attitude. A dark, dingy and untidy office, for example, contributes to an atmosphere of apathy and fatigue, which makes it harder for you to find the energy to clean the place up.
Feng shui gives you the insight and incentive to become a mindful caretaker of your space. As a result, you live in greater harmony with your surroundings, which can better support you in achieving what you desire-in your finances and in all other aspects of your life.
Traditionally, feng shui is seen as one of five factors that influence a person's life. The other factors are your karma, luck, education, and actions, each of which may also contribute to the past, present, and future state of your finances. The impact of feng shui is most immediate when the difficulties you are experiencing are caused by poor feng shui in the first place. When other life factors are involved, feng shui can help you gain the perspective and insight necessary for getting your finances back on track.
Those who turn to feng shui hoping for a quick fix often discover that it brings them many opportunities to repeat old behavior patterns. If you are a chronic overspender or compulsive shopper, for example, feng shui might help to increase your income. But if you don't address the emotional issues that are driving your spending habits, the more money you have the more you will spend. And there you will be, staring with dismay at a mountain of debt in spite of your higher income. For those who are ready and willing to change, however, feng shui can be a powerful ally on the path to personal growth and fulfillment.
The Fast Feng Shui Series provides an approach to contemporary feng shui that is easy to learn and simple to follow. It helps you figure out what changes to make in your home in order to address the issues that most concern you right now.
Fast Feng Shui for Prosperity follows the Western practice of aligning the ba gua to the main entry to a space, but it accommodates the compass orientation as well. I believe that feng shui should empower you as well as your home, and I encourage you to be creative and playful as you use feng shui to transform your home and your finances.
The strength of your intention is an integral part of your success with feng shui. Think of the difference in your energy when you are excited about something, compared to times when you feel anxious, unhappy, or depressed. When you dwell on how dissatisfied you are with a life situation, your energy becomes stuck there. Approach feng shui with confidence, optimism, and a sense of adventure. This will keep you motivated, and will help to shift the energy of your home.