A Feng Shui Long Island Consultant's Response To..Is Feng Shui a Religion?
Feng Shui Coexists with all types of Belief systems and Religions
A very interesting question has been brought my mother's and my attention a few times. The question, is Feng Shui a Religion?
Feng Shui is the Ancient Chinese Art and Science of Mindful Placement that explores the seen and unseen ways the physical environment, home and workplace can nurture the individual. Feng Shui can be incorporated into your everyday lifestyle while still coexisting with other belief systems and religions. This is the beauty of Feng Shui.
There is no one set place to "pray" or "worship." If you look at the history of Feng Shui you will see it actually pulls it's principles and concepts from multiple belief systems. For example, Christianity, Judaism, Native American Beliefs and Vastu Shastra. Feng Shui is completely individualized because every persons situation is different and unique with their given goals and accomplishments they wish to achieve in life.
To answer the question, Feng Shui is not a religion. It is another "tool" that can be utilized to help enhance your way of living and create a more positive outcome.
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since graduating from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Carole provides on site Feng Shui Consultations on Long Island NY, Queens New York and New York City - NYC Feng Shui Manhattan New York Feng Shui
Manhattan NYC Consultant Laura Cerrano is a Second Generation Certified Feng Shui Consultant who has trained with Feng Shui Long Island and Masters from across the Country including Shamans to incorporate Native American beliefs and Space Clearings into her Feng Shui Consulting Firm, Feng Shui Manhattan New York City NY. After co-consulting on site for many years Laura began her own business in 2000 and has a strong client base in New York City, New York and the rest of the New York Tri-State area.
I feel as though it is more of a philosophy than a religion but that's just my humble opinion :)
Laura, After our daughter had this crazy roommate her Freshman year I had a bad feeling about Feng Shui. It was your Mother who made me realize that I needed to let those preconceived ideas go. Thanks for the thoughtful post. I had always wondered if it was a religion and now I know that it is not.
Carole, have you read the book, "Sacred Space" by Denise Linn? IF not, I recommend it highly. Considering your post, I think you would love this book....
Laura, Great post! I didn't really know what Feng Shui was until I found your mother and now you on AR. I love the coexist picture. I think I've always practiced Feng Shui (sort of), but didn't know the name. jay
Laura, you and your Mom have brought great understanding to all of us here and your readers about Feng Shui. Thanks.
Hi Laura... I like the idea of harmonious coexistence. I consider myself a spiritual person, if not a religious one, so this approach is one that I certainly embrace.
Christie, I agree..just about all we believe in to helps us through our lives can be considered a philosophy...all I know is that their is something much bigger guiding us, hoping that we will lead fulfilling lives :)
Marchel,really? I am curios to hear what her roommate did? When at college I practiced Feng Shui but always made sure not to intrude on my roommate's beliefs and if they asked about Feng Shui only then would I share...never force.
Pat, Yes she studied Denise teachings. I'll def take a look, thank you! :)
Laura, It was her first year of college away from home and we let the dorm put her with a roommate. Our daughter is hypoglycemic and so we had bought her a small refrigerator. I guess we had put the refrigerator in the wrong place in the room and her roommate came unglued and would only let her put the refrigerator in one place. The place where she had to put it was not an ideal location but she went with it. That was the start of a long semester. I think it as how it was presented to her that was the problem. There were many other problems with the roommate. At Christmas break I got her switched to another roommate whom she is still friends with. As a matter of face I now own that roommates cat. My daughter now lives in NYC (most of the time) by the way.
Aloha Laura,
Here in Hawaii we have many Asian cultures represented in our community some of whom practice Feng Shui religiously while others incorporate the design style out of tradition. The origins of Feng Shui are embedded in the philosophical teachings of Lao Tsu whose philosophy evolved into a religion(Taoism) over the millennium, which is practiced by hundreds of millions of Chinese today. It makes me chuckle to think that anyone could possibly be threatened by the notion of interior and exterior design but people are afraid of the unknown. However, I can see how people might confuse Feng Shui as being a religion since it is so closely connected to Taoism.
In response to Marchel's comment. The roommate issue was not about the design philosophy of Feng Shui but the intolerance of the roommate to accept and honor your daughters own belief's. Everyone is entitled to the unalienable right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thanks for the post!
hi Laura,
I guess this is why some people are afraid of Feng Shui...they think it is a type of religion that does not follow the principles of their own religion.
Jo