Create a Meditation Space with Feng Shui

Feng shui is a philosophy developed in ancient China that outlines positive ways in which to organize yourself in your environment. Meditation is a practice in which you can learn to become familiar with your inner landscape. Both feng shui and meditation are used to generate harmony and peace within your life.

Why not use feng shui to create a sacred space in which to meditate that can support and improve your meditation practice?

Define a Space

Select a dedicated space that you can routinely go back to for your meditation practice. It can be the corner of your bed, a room in your home, or a place outside in your backyard. My meditation space is a quiet section of my living room that faces a river view. Since it's not in the commanding position, I've set up a mirror so I can see behind me to put me in a relaxing and calm mental space. It is okay if you cannot find a perfectly quiet spot. Life is full of distraction, and part of meditation is to learn to accept the interruptions.

You can further differentiate your space by sitting on a special pillow, cushion or blanket to define your place. I have a couple of buckwheat zafu cushions specifically designed for meditation. This can help you to dedicate and define your special “spot.”

Dedicate and Clear the Space

After you have selected your meditation space and defined it physically, it is of utter importance to clear and dedicate the area energetically. Space clearing dedicates the invisible energy of space so you can start fresh and set your intention for the space, the particular moment and for your life.

In feng shui, oranges and orange peels represent vibrant, life-affirming energy. Orange essence is refreshing, happy and contributes positive, fresh, and brightening energy to our inner and outer environments. You can use 9 drops of orange essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser to transform your area into a space with vibrant, life-giving, positive energy. Remember, when you clear the space of the existing energy, be sure to replace it with positive intention.

Add a Crystal for Clarity

Feng shui crystals are used to adjust the flow of energy in a space. They are particularly effective for bringing light, brilliance and clarity to your meditation practice. Feng shui crystal balls are made of faceted, leaded glass. For this application, purchase a crystal that is a minimum of 40mm and place in the center of your meditation space, above your head where you’re sitting or just in front of you so you can see it. The ball should be hung with a red string in a length that is a multiple of 9, for example 18”, 27”, 36”, etc. You can find crystals and red strings at the Holistic Spaces store here.

Use these three simple feng shui tips to create your own sacred meditation place to create harmony and peace in your inner and outer spaces.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Space Clearing with Feng Shui

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In Feng Shui, there is a lot of talk about “energy” or “chi”.  Feng shui is an ancient philosophy that seeks to enhance the flow of energy in your environment. All spaces, people and objects have energy. 

In particular, the chi of a space can influence the present and future circumstances of the inhabitants. Similarly, the energy of the previous owners of a home or object can greatly influence the current chi of a space. This applies to previous owners and residents, vintage furniture, and even used books. Does that place or object hold an imprint of positive, supportive energy? Or does it hold negative and stagnant chi?

Space clearing is an effective way to re-dedicate the invisible energy of space.  It’s vital to clear the space of any stagnant energy and create a clean slate for you and your family.  This is especially true if you have a lot of second-hand items. Below I’ll share with you three different ways to clear your space.

Orange Oil

In feng shui, oranges and orange peels represent vibrant, life affirming energy. Orange essence is refreshing, happy and contributes positive, fresh, and brightening energy to our inner and outer environments. It can transform a space with vibrant, life-giving, positive energy. 

Fresh orange peels work the best because they are the freshest, but you can also use 27 drops of orange essential oil. Place the orange peels or the essential oil in a spray bottle and fill it with water. Walk around your home and spray this citrus essence all around, paying special attention to dark corners and closets. Orange peel carries with it vibrant life energy to clear and, in turn rejuvenate, you and your home.  This is excellent to do on an annual or even monthly basis. 

Air It Out

A great way to clear the space is to use the above orange essence spray in conjunction with opening all the exterior windows and doors in your home. 

First, open all the windows and doors for a minimum of 9 minutes.  Allow fresh air to move throughout the entire home.  Second, walk around your space with your orange spray. Start at the entry door and move around the perimeter of each room in the home in a clockwise fashion. It is good practice to clear your space at least once a year.  The most auspicious time to do this is on Chinese New Year.  The Lunar New Year is symbolically a great time to clear out the old, stagnant energy in your home to make space for new, positive energy. 

Smudge with Palo Santo

Lately, my favorite method of space clearing has been smudging with palo santo. While we traditionally use orange essential oil in feng shui for space clearing, I love the smell of palo santo. I find it is especially useful on an everyday basis to refresh your home if you've had guests.

The stick of palo santo is ignited, then gently blown down to an ember to allow for spreading smoke around the space. Guidance of smoke to different areas of the room including corners, inside closets and in a clockwise fashion is important. Also, be sure to allow the wood to produce enough smoke to fill the air. 

Remember no matter which method you use, once you clear the space of the existing chi, replace that energy with positive intention.

by Anjie Cho

Q&A Sunday: Prayer Wheels on Ceiling Fans

Thank you for your podcast. I have a question about making a prayer wheel from your ceiling fan. I have always been interested in prayer wheels, but I was wondering if the prayer wheel (ceiling fan) turning counterclockwise during the summer is still auspicious. Perhaps the direction that the fan spins does not matter, but I wanted to make sure that if I print mantras and attach them to the top that it is spinning in the correct way to enhance the benefit.

Barbra, Pittston Twp, PA

Hi Barbra,

Thank you for your email! I love that you are interested in making your ceiling fan a prayer wheel. I personally think this is a beautiful adjustment. Your question is very thoughtful!

It is thought that in order to utilize their ceiling fans year-round, people can switch the direction from counter-clockwise, during the summer, to clockwise, during the winter. This adjustment switches the fan from pushing cool air down, when it turns counter-clockwise, to slowly pulling cooler air up and redistributing warm air, when it turns clockwise during the winter. We're assuming you do this!

Traditionally the prayer wheel is turned clockwise. In Buddhist walking meditation, we also walk clockwise. The clockwise direction creates a tightening, whereas a counter-clockwise loosens. Like a screw, righty tighty and lefty-loosey, right? I just learned recently that most of the planets, including the sun, rotate counter-clockwise, which makes sense because the universe is constantly expanding. It’s loosening, rather than getting smaller. You can read about it here! 

But when we read in western culture, we read left to right, which corresponds to the clockwise direction. Therefore, I agree with you that it’s more effective to place the characters or syllables of the mantra so that when they're positioned, they are unfolding in a left to right direction. But if you've had it set up so it does not read in the left to right direction, remember, your intention is what's more important. Also the direction of the fan changes depending on how you look at the fan. Whether you look up or if you are above looking down, your perspective on the direction changes.

Creating a prayer wheel without taking this into consideration isn't necessarily wrong, but it can enhance this adjustment if it's something you've noticed and are thinking about. Whether the fan is turning clockwise or counter-clockwise is really all in your perspective, so adhering to this guideline is the best way to go. 

Ultimately, I would recommend not letting the process get too complicated and remembering the intention! Remember that BTB feng shui is all about intention, and if you're going through the effort of creating the prayer wheel in the first place, chances are you have this down! 

by Anjie Cho