Having watched Larry King last night, it was interesting to hear the critics of "The Secret," the motivational DVD of the century. Don't rely on it, you were warned. Many of us have for years and found out, it WORKS.
There are so many misconceptions about Feng Shui (and we work using the "secrets,") I thought I'd try to clear some up. What does the secret teach you? That you can have a life of prosperity and abundance in all areas, by setting Intentions, sending out good Energy and believing that it works. You must take actions as well or opportunities may slip by you that you haven't even looked into.
Why is Energy so powerful? This journey started when I became involved in Wholistic Health. People that were given a limited amount of time to live by their doctors or had chronic, disabling illnesses would come in to work with Acupuncturists, Chinese Herbs, Amma Therapy and Biofeedback. And I watched them as their attitude changed and they started to get well. Seeing and being surrounded by these people, I wasn't sure HOW it worked, only that it did. There was something to this Energy Healing.
It came as a natural extension to me that your surroundings, then could have a negative or positive impact on you as well; when you can't think straight and your mind is cluttered, it is likely your home or office is as well. I attended the very first Certification course on Feng Shui Studies and this is what I learned:
For the principles of Feng Shui to work (working with Energy and The Laws of Attraction), we had to change our clients thought process. To see things from a positive point of view, to teach them about Universal Laws and how the very energy of your thoughts can attract negative things back to you. It's a difficult concept for many because it is hard to take responsibility for your own life. But after speaking with them and reinforcing it, getting them to practice sending out positive energy, making some changes in their environment, they found it worked.
Many people still regard Feng Shui as simply a trend or a hoax. It's much more then putting a plant in your wealth area, it is about the Laws of attraction. We were taught that when you make a change in your environment, you can't simply make the change, it must be infused with Intention (or sending out what you wish to create back). That is what will truly create transformations.
Our number one principle? Clean up the clutter. Clutter relates to the mind as well and if you're not clear in your surroundings, you won't be clear in your thoughts or actions. Changing the flow of Energy might be moving the furniture around so that it has room to flow freely and not get "stuck." Using the Bagua, you can make simple and inexpensive enhancements in every area of your life to attract more money, a new or improved relationship, even better health and careers. Another misconception is that Feng Shui (A consultant and the changes) are expensive. They don't need to be at all; many of my clients can't afford expensive items and can get wonderful things at Bed, Bath and Beyond that address Feng Shui. We work with elements as well and they are: Fire, Water, Metal, Earth and Wood. Many of these items you already have in your own home, we seek to achieve a balance of the elements.
From a Feng Shui perspective, the front door and the path leading to the front door is very important, it is considered "The Mouth of Chi" where all good energy enters. What can we use there? Solar lights to line the path, a wind-chime, a welcome sign to grace people in and a small waterfall when you enter. We use plants for "life force" and crystals to diffuse energy and keep it flowing. Nothing expensive there. Some consultants can charge up to $900 for a consultation of a home......Feng Shui was never meant to be about money, it was meant to help people and transform their lives. Sounds like an overstatement, I know, except that I follow up with my clients (and oftentimes become friends with them) and I've seen what's it done in my life and theirs. So if someone is not Certified or is charging high prices, or instilling fear in people with "negative" Feng Shui they're likely not doing it for the right reasons.
We also use for homeowners a lot of the principles that Home Stagers, which I do as well, use but we use them from a different perspective. A bowl of fruit on the table does incorporate colors, more then that, it is a sign of abundance. Fresh flowers are pure life force and make people feel energized as well as incorporating the color Red, which is an enlivening and stimulating color.
Chances are if you're open to The Secret, you're already in tune with Feng Shui and don't even know it! Because there are so many books with so many methods, it is too confusing to follow and understand and apply to your life. But certainly getting a Bagua (you can print one off Google Images) learning where your wealth area (or career or relationships) and making a few simple changes yourself while infusing it with your beliefs of what you wish to create, wouldn't hurt. And just might help.
If you're staging a home, all of the above can be incorporated for very little cost and giving the homeowner a different perspective as well. With their energy and yours, the results can be amazing.
Carole Provenzale
Carole,
This was a great post! So informative and interesting at the same time.
I understand some of the basic principles of Feng Shui, like opening windows to let out 'stale energy' and to bring in new 'good energy', but you have shared some wonderful concepts that all of us can use - for our homes, offices and even when staging a home!
I own at least 6 books on Feng Shui that I have bought with the intention of applying the principles to areas of my own life. Unfortunately, each time I would attempt to read any of the books, I would become confused and overwhelmed by all of the information and 'rules'! Lillian Too was one author who thoroughly confused me and I bought 2 of her books as well as a "Space Clearing" kit! I must admit, however, that I really had a lot of fun playing with the singing bowl in the 'kit'!!
But this post put things into a different perspective for me...you make it all sound very do-able and not complicated at all!
I am going to bookmark this blog because it will be interesting to see how many others are interested in, or open to the concept of Feng Shui (and judging by all of the comments on Shell's blog If you don't know the Secret read this, I would estimate that we have a lot of open minded members here on Active Rain!). It makes total sense that the Laws of Attraction that are part of "The Secret" would also apply to Feng Shui!
VAL
Hi Ladies!
Val, Thanks for your post and kind words. The more books you buy on the subject, the more confused you will become! Since I haven't found a fellow consultant on AR, I thought maybe I'd clear up some misconceptions and answer any questions I could relating to it. It sounds a hole lot harder then it is :)
Sheron, I am still waiting for your Part Two. I feel like your fish out of water! I signed onto AR in early October but was so busy I forgot about it. I wrote my blog to try and take some of the confusion and misconceptions (some of the same ones that home stagers face: ie: it is too expensive) and to give people a different way of looking at things. But this site is addictive and fun and I'm learning so much from everyone and thought your post was delightful :) And there are Feng Shui pictures, I didn't think of it till you mentioned it! FS literally translates to "Wind and Water" so I have 1/2 of it right!!
When I can I am going to post my first EVER home staging, Feng Shui disaster. I wonder how everyone would have handled this client.....please let me know!
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for your question. I think you believe you are not affected by the stacks of paperwork because you are used to them. Until you clean (and clear) out, you won't be able to make a comparison to how much better you really WILL feel. A simple definition for clutter is if you don't need it, use it or LOVE it, get rid of it. And if it's affecting your assistant, it's likely affecting her work as well. There is only one book I recommend to people (This man has made a fortune off me :) but it's called Feng Shui Made Easy by William Spear. He is the ONLY one who incorporates Western knowledge so you don't hear about all the negativity associated with Feng Shui. If there's a problem, there's a simple and inexpensive solution. Otherwise you're likely to be told you'll need renovations (and how practical is that??).
For consultants in your area you could try the www.InternationalFengShuiGuild.org or www.fengshuidirectory.com (This is my first time doing links, I hope it gets you there or you can type it in. With that being said, they don't have to have Certification to join these sites. I would look for someone who is Certified, someone who incorporates Western methods as well as Black Sect, someone who has been practicing a long time and most importantly, someone you resonate with. Just as a comparison, they should NOT be charging you a fortune. All areas are different I believe based on how many consultants are around so it's not a bad idea to talk to a few people (and see if they will spend some time talking to you). Feng Shui was meant to inspire and transform and somehow became a "business" to some.
If you have any questions, I'm here! And thanks again.
Carole,
You make a very good point - I AM used to the stacks. It's a comfort to me to have it - how weird is that?! But, last night, as I read your post, I looked around at my desk and wondered if I really COULD de-clutter some things. I still don't consider it clutter - it's just file folders, work to do and things to read. Of course, there's a lot of it. I dusted off my file sorters and dug in. In about 30 minutes I had made a tremendous amount of headway and YES it DOES feel better.
Thanks so much for posting the links to search for someone and also, WHAT to look for. What I am most interested in is the furniture arrangement and also the entrance to my office within our building. I have studied that bagua several times in relation to layout of my office and I am pretty sure that I don't have the optimal set up.
I am going to get the book you suggested. I guess I haven't heard any of the negativity associated with feng shui, but then again, I'm a really positive person, so I probably just ignored it. :)
Again, many thanks! And, have I said yet how much I LOVE Active Rain?! WOW!! So many people so willing to share with one another - it's very refreshing!!
Hi George! You can read "Feng Shui Made Easy" by William Spear, it's the best book out there that won't confuse you (too much). And be sure to keep up with Sheron's blogs for the lighter side of Feng Shui....when's that next one that you promised coming out? We ALL need a good laugh and you have a wonderful way with words!
Hi Carole!
I am just fascinated by this link between Feng Shui and The Secret. I have always found Feng Shui very intriguing but have found the details overwhelming when trying to figure out how to incorporate it.
I too will bookmark this, so I can keep up with the great advice (books, websites, etc) and learn how I can make both the Secret and Feng Shui tools for creating my best life!
Thanks so much! I'm so glad you're here!
Carole,
Thanks for this post. I am relatively new to The Secret and have been trying to find my way with it. I have always found Feng Shui interesting, but have learned very little about it. I have even tried learning by watching Trading Spaces episodes with Vern in them. I am going to look for the book you recommended and look through the sites you suggested. With the secrets in my back pocket, I can only succeed.
Thanks again!
Michelle Skinner, e-Pro Realtor
Jupiter, FL
Carole---thank you so much for this post. It truly has opened my eyes up and made me realize I should give Feng Shui a shot. I need to surround myself with good energy to help me stay focused and better my life. I definitely plan on doing further research on this and will let you know how it works out for me.
--Thomas Affee, senior mortgage consultant
Very interesting - do tell more! I've known bits and pieces about Feng Shui and do believe in the principles behind it.
Outstanding post..keep them coming!
Beth
Thanks for all the nice comments. I'd love to give you all a class (an EASY one!) but AR isn't the place for it. I'm going to try getting out my newsletter again so if you'd like to be added, let me know!
Happy Shuiing :)
Hi Carol,
Great post..keep them coming,
Cheers, have a great day!
Fred Carver www.fredcarver.com
Lizette, thank you, it was an amazing trip! You are already a believer in The Secret, you use it and have seen how it works! I'm sorry you just found this group but I'm glad you're here!
Shane, cleaning up and clearing out what you can is the first step and will already make a tremendous difference! Try it, you will feel and notice such a difference you will continue with it. Thank you for your comment.
Carole,
Before I left my last job, I attended a sales seminar and The Secret was show to a group of about 75. The response from the group was a mixture of praise and outrage. Very controversial. There are many misconceptions regarding the message of The Secret.
Although for my self, there is No Secret. My parents have long instilled in me that the idea that positive thinking results in positive results. An idea I am trying to pass on to my children. If you believe good things will happen, then good things come your way.
Great Post. And thank you for the reading recommendations. I am on my way to the bookstore now.
Carole,
This is a great post! I love the correlation between staging, feng shui, & the secret, it all fits!
Penny White
(burn sage while reading my post ;) ) This morning was a great example of what happens with the energy that's out there...I don't what comes first the chicken or the egg, however, I was asked if I could do a general staging presentaiton to a group of realtors where I have my license hung as well.
This is the first time I ever designed a power point presentaiton, or even did any kind of presentation! So I was pretty nervous, but pleased with how everything was coming together. In the back of my mind though I felt like somehow this wasn't going to come to pass, but I kept moving forward with my preparations.
I emailed my broker the day before to confirm that my part was going to be a part of this weeks sales meeting. She said "yes" it's a go, but added a notation in her email to the marketing coordinator to add it to the program if they had not already been printed. I noticed the email wasn't "cc-ed" to this person though. So it did seem like my broker had forgotten, but now it was on the books.
I showed up early before the meeting to check-in and saw the marketing co. setting up for the sales mtg. I asked her if she wanted my power point CD and she wasn't aware that I was scheduled to have a part in the mtg. But I kept moving forward-and checked in with my broker, who again confirmed that I was to be a part of the mtg. However, I did mention that if she needed to reschedule, that would be no problem. Nope - let's do it today, was her response.
So, there I sit waiting for my time slot to come. Well, when it came, they couldn't get the power point to run...which was a necessary piece of my presentation. After many attempts to get it projected, I suggested we reschedule.
I have to say I was disappointed, because of all the work and energy I put into the preparation, along with the excitement of officially getting out there in this kind of forum.
So is it that I, perhaps, sent out those negative energies, or was this already heading down that path and I picked up on it?
On a more positive note - Carole your contribution, knowledge and posts are very much appreciated, valued and enjoyed! Thank-you!
Also, I feel all will work out for the best in regard to my staging presentation. : )
Susan, I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you expected and I've certainly had it happen to me. I was told that I "get in my own way" quite often because I, too, got nervous for many years regarding speaking. I made myself do it to stretch myself and my first ones weren't exactly "hits." I try not to rely so much on what I have prepared because sometimes some electrical problem comes along and you're unprepared for another way to tell them what you are trying to get across.
Have a back up next time, just in case. I bring pictures. And just rry and "let go" and it's amazing, the words start to come and things just start to flow. Please let me know how it works out for you.
I love reading these posts and like your practical approach. I think I will put more money in Mr. Spear's pocket and buy the book you recommended!
Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging
Kim, It's a good investment and pretty simple to understand which is why I like the book so much. Let me know if you get it and make some changes, I know they will help you.
Christine, I'm glad more people understand it now with The Secret and the relationship between the two. I'm not sure what they thought Feng Shui was but it's practical sense to me.