Question of the Month: How to Store Divorce Papers

My question concerns the storage of toxic papers and files from my divorce. Which bagua area is the best place to store this material?  Which file/container colours are best to use?  And is there a yantra to balance the bad vibrations emitted by these documents?

Giuliana G., Lille, France

First of all, I’m so sorry to hear about this difficult time in your life.  But life presents challenges as opportunities for growth.  I hope you can use this knowledge to ease the process.

From a feng shui perspective, I suggest the “Completion” area of the feng shui bagua map as the best place to store the divorce files.  See the image above and lay this Bagua map on a floor plan of your office or your entire home (not the bedroom!).  Align the bottom of the map with the entrance wall of your office or entire home, then determine where the white “Completion” area occurs.  Placing the divorce papers in the “Completion” area signifies that you are ready to complete and be done with that chapter in your life. 

As for the container in which you store these documents, red is a very auspicious and protective color in feng shui.  It doesn’t matter so much the color of the filing folders, as long as the box is red.  On the surface of the container, it may be advantageous to place a yantra.  Lucky for you I was at a yantra workshop this weekend and discussed with my teacher Mavis Gewant.  She suggested Durga for protection, Kali if you want to purge things you no longer need (but beware, Kali may also remove things you want to keep), Ganesha, who is the remover of obstacles, or Bagla Mukhi, who power over enemies.  Bagla Mukhi paralyzes the tongues of your adversaries.

by Anjie Cho

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Thanks for reading our “Question of the Month”.  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions! 

Note:  To locate the Path in Life or Abundance areas of your home, please refer to the Feng Shui Bagua Map above   New blog post to come soon discussing the Feng Shui Bagua Map!

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Yantras as Feng Shui Adjustments

Almost 9 years ago, I started my spiritual journey.  At that time I started taking yoga and meditation classes.  During one of those classes, I was introduced to the yantra.  Since then, it's been the most personal and meaningful form of meditation practice for me.  

On the right is the first yantra I encountered. This yantra is called the the Chinnamasta yantra.  Chinnamasta is a Hindu goddess who chopped off her head.  I later found out it was quite appropriate to be drawn to this particular yantra, not because I wanted to chop off my head, but because this form of meditation practice truly resonated with me.  The act of cutting off one’s head actually represents cutting off your five senses so as to attune your intuition (your sixth sense) and reaching enlightenment.

While creating a yantra, I can truly sit still and concentrate.  Everything falls away and time disappears.

CHINNAMASTA YANTRA

TARA YANTRA

So, what is a yantra?

Yantra is a Sanskrit word, yam  “means supporting or holding the essence of an object or concept…[and tra means] liberation from bondage.”[1]  Yantra is a tool for centering and meditation.  “As a tool, yantra meditation is used to withdraw consciousness from the outer world, so as to help the student go beyond the normal framework of mind.”[2] 

A yantra is a physical manifestation of a mantra from Vedic tradition. They are a type of prescribed mandala because the colors, shapes, and proportions have been pre-determined.  Each yantra always consists of the same colors, even closely matching the tone and shade of each color is significant.  For Instance, just above is the Tara yantra.  Tara yantras always look the same.  The design around the yantra is my own, but the actual yantra requires no artistic decision-making.In the process of creating a yantra, you start at the center, and then expand to draw a circle.  Then you draw clockwise, from the outside in, until you reach the center again.  You chant the associated mantra as you circumbulate the yantra.  The movement and chanting is a clockwise tightening to build a powerful talisman.

You can see that yantras use a balance of shapes and colors, so they form balanced and harmonious chi.  They have all have the bhupur, the circle, and the shapes and colors of at least a couple different elements.  Also, as I just explained, when a yantra is created it is imbued with the intention and energy of the mantra, and the deity and energy that has been prescribed to it.  The following are three examples.

G A N E S H A    Y A N T R A

My yantra teachers have taught me to always start with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.  Ganesha is the god that represents the beginning of things.  The associated mantra is:

Om gang ganapataye namaha

The colors and shapes represent the wood production cycle.  We start with the green wood, then red fire, and then the center with the yellow earth.  Because Ganesha is ideal when starting new things, I relate this yantra to the Zhen/New beginnings gua (area of the Bagua, the Feng Shui Map), and the element of wood. 

Ganesha also had his head cut off by his father Shiva, while protecting his mother Parvati.  Similar to Chinnamasta, Ganesha became enlightened when his head was cut off, and he was able to see that he was the same as his mother and father.  Therefore resolving family issues.  Which again brings us back to Zhen. 

As a feng shui adjustment, the Ganesha yantra may be placed in the Zhen area of your home, office or bedroom for assistance in starting new endeavors or family issues. 

The Venus yantra was the first yantra that I painted.  The associated mantra is:

Om Shum Shukraya Namah

In Hindu, the planet Venus is feminine, having to do with relationships, love and higher love.  Venus is considered a beneficent planet and associated with the reproductive organs.  The cascading squares looks like they’re sinking, falling, it’s very womb-like.  The pale yin colors, delicate pink lotus petals and square earth shapes suggest the Kun/Relationships gua and the element of earth. The pale blue of wood and the gold and silver colors of metal offer the two elements that deplete earth.  So this yantra may harmonize an excess of earth.

V E N U S    Y A N T R A

As a feng shui adjustment, the Venus yantra may be placed in the your bedroom, since that’s the room that’s closest to you, to assist with relationships as well as self-love and self-nourishment.

M A R S    Y A N T R A

The Mars yantra depicts deep reds and pinks, with many triangles.  The associated mantra is:

Om Bhaum Bhaumaye Namah Om

Mars is a planet that is associated with masculinity, anger and war.  It’s also a planet related to instability such as of fire.  The reds and triangles are also related to fire energy and the Li/Recognition gua of the bagua.  The central upward pointed triangle represents growth, as do the more dominant red interior triangles. This suggests that an excess of fire may be transformed into a more positive and productive direction.

As a Feng Shui adjustment, the Mars yantra may be place in the Li area of your home, bedroom or office for assistance with passion.  This yantra may adjust lack of passion and fame by adding fire.  But it can also balance excessive fire, because the upward pointing triangle suggests growth in a positive direction

[1] http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm 
[2] http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm

note:  the images I've shared here are all yantras that I've made myself.  

by Anjie Cho

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Feature: Mavis Gewant and Yantras

Based in High Falls, NY, Mavis Gewant is celebrated as a sacred artist, mother, educator and doula.  Mavis studied the ancient techniques of yantra and silk deity painting with the late Tantric Master Shri Harish Johari, serving as his personal assistant for over twenty years. Mavis is one of the few persons in the U.S. with over two decades training in this Sacred Art who was requested to teach this knowledge by her teacher.

Having a deep commitment to supporting women during the most sacred time of their lives, becoming a mother, Mavis is a childbirth educator and doula and founder of Gentle Care Doula Service. Believing that pregnancy, birth and motherhood are a holy experience, she helps women to connect to their divine energy through sacred art and knowledge.

I had the honor of meeting Mavis during a yantra workshop a few years ago.  Yantra practice is my absolute favorite and most meaningful form of meditation.  Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Mavis about her work, specifically with yantras.  

AC:  How would you describe a yantra to someone who wasn’t previously familiar with them?

MG:  A yantra is a geometric pattern of energy specific to deities and planets. It has been said that they are physical form of a deity, where mantra is the sound form. Yantras give a structure or pattern to energy. They are composed of geometric forms like squares and circles.  Since all cultures have these kinds of shapes, they resonate in our DNA when we see them.  Yantras are archetypal and universal.

“I think yantras are a personal prescription for healing. Whether with a deity or a planet, it is an energetic entity you are working with to heal.“

I understand yantras are prescribed, and that the proportions, colors, and symbols are important.

Yes, absolutely.  Gold is connected to the sun and representative of knowledge. Silver is related to the moon and life-giving energy. Green is cool and about balance and knowledge. Red is hot, fire and magnetic and stimulating the adrenals. Orange is magnetic, cheering, and warm. Yellow is hot, positive magnetic, and stimulating nerves and knowledge. Blue is cold, anesthetic.  Sky blue is calming to the nerves. 

Goddess yantras typically have pink or red petals. Many of the colors have to do with the color of the associated deity such as with Ganesha yantra.  For Ganesha, there's a light orange upward pointing triangle, which is related to his skin color.  The colors correlation is more obvious with planet deities.  The sun yantra colors are vibrant yellows and oranges.

What's the difference between a mandala and yantra?

Yantra is a form of mandala. Both are created within circles, and circles are about creation. When you start a yantra, you have first draw a circle. To make the square, you must again, first make a circle.

Is it better if you make your own yantra, can someone make one for you?  Or can you use a printed yantra?

It's always best if you draw your own yantra. Then you have that connection with the art and the associated deity or planet.  You have spent the time, and when you're away from it you can still invoke it within yourself.  It's also good if someone makes it for you, if they had the intention of creating it for your use. When I make them I really focus on the people I'm making them for.  It is also good to give yantras away and not always best to hold onto them. I did 40 Sri yantras, then went to India and released them into the Ganges River.  

by Anjie Cho

Mavis’ next workshop will take place June 22 at Sivananda in New York City. She teaches Sacred Painting Workshops worldwide, including a yearly retreat in Haridwar, India. It is her humble desire to help others through this transformational art form and she makes her painting a spiritual practice. Her artwork can be seen on her website:www.sacredmotherarts.com

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