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Who’s Got Your Back?

In feng shui, there is an important concept called Command Position. I like to compare this position to where the Godfather would choose to sit in a restaurant. This position is located in the back of the room, up against a solid wall, able to see the rest of the room without being in the path of the door. The Godfather also generally has two bodyguards who stand on either side as guardians.

History

Historically this is represented in the school of forms as a safe place to build a graveyard, a city or building to protect it from the elements of nature or marauding enemies. In our contemporary lives, we use it to feel more empowered in how we place our furniture.

This position is can also referred to as armchair position. Imagine sitting in a large armchair. There is a solid backing, two arms on either side to protect you and then openness up front to allow entryway.

Application

Ideally, this position is used to place the furniture we spend the most amount of time (beds, desks, couches) to create auspiciousness and reduce the fight or flight reflexes that get triggered by having your back exposed to a room.

This concept and can also relate to other aspects of our lives.

Offices/Cubicles

See if you rearrange your workspace so that you are in command position with a solid wall behind you and out of the path of the door.

If there is no way to place your furniture into command position (like in a cubicle) this is sometimes why you might see someone create “simulated command position” by placing a mirror or reflected surface in front of you so that you can “see behind you.” In black hat feng shui one might also place a shawl with a powerful fire element color on the back of their chair (Reds, Oranges, Deep Pinks) or earth element color (Gold, Brown, Khaki.) If there is a window behind us, we might put up a solid curtain, set of blinds or hand a crystal from the window to protect us.

We also place guardians up behind us on the wall (bookshelves, diplomas or a photos of a mountain range or other protectors) as a symbolic way of representing someone or something “having our back.”

Weddings

When we stand up and take our vows at a wedding, there is a similar process.

Behind us stands a priest, or rabbi or justice of the peace. This person stands as the mountain (of faith) at our backs. Behind us on either side we start with a maid of honor and a best man who spearhead the row of groomsmen and bridesmaids who stand guard on the day of our ceremony and into the lives ahead. The audience (family and friends) flank an aisle that represents the river flowing to our feet. The most auspicious place to stand is at the center of this configuration.

Sports Teams

The coach is the leader within the organization and therefore represents the power of the team. It starts with the top and works its way down from there. Therefore the coach must be protected from the elements (media/fans/other teams) by the strength of the stadium or building and those who have the coaches back (The General Manager/Team Owners.) When the organization is in harmony and everyone is on the same page, this message (power) can transfer to players and can be a great source of strength for everyone to benefit from.

Start to think about who has your back in your own life. Perhaps there are one or two people who you know that you can always go to in times of need. They may still be alive or perhaps they are on the other side watching over you. These people are your energetic guardians. Your faith and belief in the source of all things in your life is the mountain at your back. And the rest of the people stand like banks of a river creating a clear path for you to explore as you navigate through life.