Showing posts with label Tai chi chuan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tai chi chuan. Show all posts

Utilizing the Tools of Feng Shui - The Bagua

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The Bagua is a practical way of applying the philosophical principles of the I Ching or Book of Changes to Feng Shui.

Shape has an effect on the flow of energy and balance. Hence the Bagua, used like a map can be applied to your plot of land, your house, your rooms, your furniture and even your business and prosperity in life. The Bagua is a most fair and practical way of applying the philosophical principles of the I Ching or what is also referred to as "The Book of Changes" to Feng Shui.

From time immortal, the Chinese have taken to consult and ponder the I Ching for its measures and insights into the very nature of people, places things and interpersonal relationships. Other cultures may have used wizards and astrology. The Chinese used the "Book of Changes ", which we know its Chinese language term "The I Ching".

It can be said that the very basis of I Ching directs one towards an understanding of what are called and technically described as simply " trigrams ". Trigrams can be said to indicate the degree of yin and yang. Trigrams in their simplicity explain and demonstrate the ideas of constant change. Not only that but the change illustrated by these trigrams is constant and cyclical- that is not only can you count on it to change but also to change in a similar predictable manner - that is if you live , or persevere long enough. The statement 'what goes around comes around" is a testament and example of this philosophy and way of life. In its simplest explanation the octagonal shape of the eight trigrams with unbroken lines represent yang, and broken lines represent yin and is called a or the "Bagua".

Thus the Bagua represents the eight directions - the eight trigrams of the I Ching. Each of these represents the eight life situations - prosperity, fame, relationships, creative energy, travel and helpful people, career, knowledge, family and health - with the taiji (tai chi) in the middle, represented best and most simply and straightforwardly the yin/yang symbol of complimentary opposites.

How can the Bagua best be used and its teachings and insights used?

By placing the Bagua over a plan of your home or room you can best identify your own particular problem areas. To apply the Bagua effectively you will need a plan of your home drawn to scale. First step in the process is to designate the "center" and the "front" areas of your spaces. . The" front door" can be said to be qi enters the position of the front door will help you determine where the Bagua should be placed.

Most likely you will find with time and experience that t he front door will generally seem to fall in one of three areas. What these are all depends on where the door is located physically and thus in what general location the door or gateway faces. If it found in the center portion, then the direction will be towards enhancing career as well as career choices. If the door is located to the right of center then this entranceway will be the gateway to travel, perhaps even sale of your property and the move to a new and enhanced residence. Lastly as an overall good omen if the you find that this door faces in a direction to the left - this is a very good omen. You will be rewarded with great knowledge and intuition.

It can be generally said that few houses or rooms are perfectly square. Hence if you attempt to impose the Bagua over your careful planning you can thus generally identify the problems that are currently associated with unusual as well as unbalanced shapes. For example a missing corner could indicate particular difficulties. If it is the corner which you consider associated with career and career themes, then it could mean problems or difficulties in the workplace. If it's a health corner - then it could mean ongoing illness and illnesses - say for example a bout of irritable bowel syndrome , or depression and anxiety which might be best dealt with a vacation to a serene lakeside cottage or chalet.

Any of the general cures - like mirrors, wind chimes or crystals - can be used to make your adjustments. These adjustments can be said to be all interchangeable. If you are having financial problems it is best to pay attention to the wealth corner of your house. Often financial difficulties are the source of many a family's and marriages inherent problems and difficulties. This can be said to be more than a truism.

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Harmonizing with Feng shui

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Perhaps one of the oldest forms of geomancy in the world is Feng shui which originated from China more than 3500 years ago. This ancient practice is literally translated as wind and water and is based on the belief that life can be greatly improved with the help of Qi or energy flow. This Qi can be produced by achieving balance or harmony through the use of the laws of heaven, which pertains to the study of astronomy and earth, which is associated with the study of geography.

The purpose of the application of this practice is to locate that Qi or that vital energy in your surroundings by creating balance and harmony around you. Here are some Feng shui theories that can give you a better grasp of this concept of balance and energy.

The Power of Qi

Qi is everywhere and the key is to find it. This energy is a result of interactions in the environment like the yin and yang and the five elements of water, fire, earth, metal and wood. This theory believes that the way you arrange your surroundings and position certain objects around you can affect your energy levels. It also believes that these energy levels can even influence your health, wealth, relationships and even luck. By properly organizing your environment, qi can flow through the space freely and can create a positive effect to those who live in the area.

The Union of theYin & Yang; Yang

The yin and the yang are two opposing forces or energies that work together creating a unity of opposites. The yin is characterized as the passive energy that is associated with the characteristics of water, cold, peace and tenderness while the yang is described as the active energy like those from heat, fire, excitement and speed. In other words if yin is matter, yang is energy and neither of them can exist without the other. The key to understanding this practice is to achieving a proper balance of yin and yang in our environment.

Balance through Bagua

The bagua is a popular Feng shui instrument that is shaped like an octagon and is divided into the eight cardinal directions of North, South, East, West, North East, North West, South East and South West. The theory of the bagua is that each of these directions corresponds to a part of our life. For instance, the North portion of the bagua pertains to one’s career while the south pertains to the fame or reputation of a person. The other categories of the bagua are family, children, prosperity, relationships, wisdom, and travel.

The theory of the bagua also believes that each of the eight directions pertain to a part of our life and in order to activate the energy or improve a certain part of our life is to find the direction it corresponds to and make the qi flow into that space positively.

Finding the Harmony

Understanding and appreciating the art of Feng shui is accepting that there is an existing relationship between you and your environment. The theories of this practice present information on how a person can achieve balance and harmony with the environment which can have a great impact in particular areas of a person’s life.

Although each person has their own potentials in the area of health, wealth, relationships and luck, what this practice really teaches is how to enhance these areas for practitioners to make the most out of their lives.
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Feng Shui Theories

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Feng shui theories today mainly work with the goal to arrange the environment made by humans in certain spots known to have good Qi. In order to find this spot, it should be the right location and an axis in time based on the accepted theories. In order to understand it better, here are some of the theories that feng shui has been known to uphold in its practice.

Qi

The Qi, pronounce as "chi", is a difficult word to understand and is usually left as it is, without translation. In the most literal sense, the word means "air". In today's feng shui, Qi is similar to the word "energy". A more traditional explanation of Qi as it relates to understanding of local environments, the orientation of buildings, and the interaction between the land to the vegetation and the soil quality. An instrument that is used to determine the flow of Qi is the luopan.

The theory of Qi stems from the different beliefs from the Axial Age. One such belief holds that the heavens influence life on Earth. This may seem outrageous to some people, but scientists today now know that space weather exists and can affect some technology such as GPS, power grids, communication and navigation systems, etc. and the internal orienting faculties of even birds and other creatures.

Polarity

Polarity is another theory used in the practice of feng shui. It is expressed in feng shui as the Yin and Yang Theory. Polarity that is expressed through yin and yang can be compared to a bipolar magnetic field. It is made up of two forces- one creating a force and one receiving it. Yang is the force acting and yin is receiving. This interaction is considered as an early understanding of Qirality. The Yin Yang Theory and connected to another theory called the Five Phase Theory or Five Element Theory.

The so-called "five elements" of feng shui are water, wood, fire, earth or soil, and metal. These elements are said to be composed of yin and yang in precise amounts. The interaction between the two forces became the foundation for the practice of feng shui and how it is said to strive to achieve balance.

Bagua

The two ancient diagrams that are known as the bagua are common fixtures in the practice in feng shui. They can be compared to the cardinal points of the compass today. The bagua diagrams are also linked with the sifang or "four directions" method of divination that was popularly used during the Shang dynasty although the sifang is considered to be much older.

It was also known to be used at Niuheliang as well as a big fixture in the Hongshan culture's practice of astronomy. And it is in this area of China that can be connected to Huangdi, who was also known as the Yellow Emperor. It was Huangdi who was known to have invented the south-pointing spoon.

The cardinal directions that contained in the bagua diagram are said to be determined by the marker-stars of the mega-constellations known as the Four Celestial Animals. The East is considered to be the Blue Green Dragon. The South is the Red Bird. The West is also known to be the White Tiger while the North stood for the Dark Turtle.

These feng shui theories also loom large even in today's practice of trying to achieve a good balance in the environment as well as the lives of people.
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