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The Law of Relative Replacement

There are many approaches to feng shui: many schools, many philosophies and many cultures.

When you start to realize how much information is out there, it can be a bit overwhelming. There is the study of earth energies, influence of the suns trajectory and the magnetic energy of the north poles. There is a collection of thousands of years of study into the “right way” to lay out your space. There are ba’gua maps and cures and ancient energies called Chi.

Add in some cultural superstitions, some books that share conflicting philosphies and peoples worry about doing it wrong…sometimes this whole feng shui thing can be overwhelming!

One principle to consider in feng shui is the law of relative placement which states: that which is closest to you has the most impact on you.

If you paint a wall red on the other side of the room, or clear out your storage unit, or even fix all of the broken items leading to the front door of your space…will that help you?

Absolutely.

But what is closer to you than your storage unit, your front pathway and the wall across the room? The furniture you are sitting next to. The floor under your feet. Your cellphone/laptop and watch. The clothes on your body. Your energy system. The food you are digesting. Thoughts in your head.

Each of these environments impacts you. Studies show that color on the walls can affect your mood. Neuroscience tells us that the shapes of rooms can affect the way our minds work. The images we look at can influence what we think about: consciously or unconsciously.

And it goes beyond what can be seen with the eye. Electronics can affect our mental states, our physical health and our energy systems. Black mold and dust can be detrimental to our ability to breath which can affect our overall health. And residual chi (or the energy left over in the space from whatever happened before) can affect the new inhabitants and affect their experiences now, today.

So what can we take from all of this? Stay mindful of the environment that immediately surrounds where you spend the most time each day: Beds, desks, couches, and cars. This also goes for the cellphone you hold up to your ear, the clothes you wear (seen and unseen, as well as what you have running inside your head on a regular basis.

Every environment has an impact on your well-being, your longevity and your ability to do what you say you want to do. Start with what is closest to you and work your way outward.

Here are two fun quotes to contemplate:

“When there is harmony in the home,
There will be order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.”
-Chinese Proverb

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.” -Gandhi

Have a wonderful spring,
Ariel Joseph