Exploring and Feng Shui

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Have you ever been detoured along a regular route only to discover something you never knew about the area? As someone who prefers the road less traveled, I come across many of these places while looking for shortcuts or alternate routes to a destination. Whether I’m on foot, behind the wheel or simply out of curiosity, these excursions nearly always end as learning experiences. I’ve discovered that off the beaten track is where things get interesting. Senses are heightened in new surroundings as we simultaneously take in the sights, smells and feel of a place. We immediately evaluate our presence there, looking for signs or distinguishing landmarks, calculating the flow or absence of traffic, noting wildlife patterns, landforms and sounds. Unfamiliar places hold our attention longer, allowing us time to process new information. And sometimes we’re rewarded with a hidden gem just waiting to be explored.

In the study of feng shui, the most important concept is understanding the yielding and controlling cycles of water, wood, fire, earth and metal and how they are influenced by the passage of time.

These elements exist both for and despite each other and contribute to the balance of nature on earth. But they never remain the same. Water flows, wood reaches, fire flares, earth gathers and metal descends. Their boundaries change constantly and over time, their power and control. The fire element is strongest at midday in summer, but wanes in deepest winter when water calms its energy. In feng shui we discourage living or working on dead-end streets because energy has no outlet, limiting opportunities. But on a journey they too have a purpose. A temporary end to exploration is a pause not a finish and a reminder to stop and reflect before rerouting.

I suspect that the places we stumble upon via shortcuts, detours or last minute change of plans teach us something we were meant to learn. More often than not, looming deadlines and consecutive appointments keep us tethered to a predictable route – the one that’s so familiar we really don’t even see it anymore. We know what we know and simply don’t have time for something new because we might have to change something about our routine. But that’s precisely where growth and change come from. 

If you’ve been feeling stagnant or in need of a little diversity, consider visiting a new place or taking a new route to an old one. Children do this all the time, for they are guided by wonder not mandate. Try this for a few days and let me know what you discover.

Wishing you the joy of discovery and good chi,

Diane Gallin, CFSC

 

wind and water feng shui chop

Wind and Water Feng Shui Consulting

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