The Feng Shui Guy Blog

An Offer – Fall 2008

At the end of September I met with several friends and colleagues who shared the stories of pain, frustration, and anxiety that we had all observed from the recent local, national and international developments in the news. There appeared to be much external, material evidence to fuel emotional or mental anguish. Everywhere we turned, there were additional circumstances that could affirm a sense of lack or limitation. Many of our friends, family and loved ones felt the effects of these last few weeks and months financially, emotionally and physically.

Remote Feng Shui/Life Coaching:

I have clients who live in different parts of the country (and the world) and some of them aren’t always able to make it to my workshops or retreats so I have been working with clients using the phone and internet. We look at drawings, blueprints, and photographs and through discussing the layout I am able to consult with people virtually.

I truly believe that what goes around comes around. I know that there are many people out there in need of support during this time. To that end I am opening up my services virtually to those people who would like a little additional support.

Through the end of the year I am offering my remote services (either feng shui or coaching) completely PAY WHAT YOU WISH. Subject to availability. You will secure your spot by paying a $9 deposit. Email me for details.

all joy,
Ariel Joseph
the feng shui guy

Not Having Enough…

I hope that this blog entry finds you at the sweet spot of summer. It has been an incredibly challenging couple of months for many people (and for some of you, it still may be.) Many people I know have been making uncomfortable sacrifices, taking on extra jobs and “batten down the hatches” to prepare for the worst that this economic storm has to offer…

The recurring theme here seems to be an underlying sense of not having enough. Not having enough time, not having enough energy and not having enough help.

Underneath everything, there seem to be feelings of fear, concern and helplessness.

One question is what, if anything, can you do?

I believe that crisis presents opportunity. They aren’t always fun to go through, but a crisis really is the time of transformation between an old way of doing things and a new way of approaching our lives. When things are working, we tend to relax and feel safe and life is grand. Sometimes when one area becomes stressed, the reverse becomes true. A challenge in one area (health, wealth, career or love) can tend to spill into other areas and affect the overall quality of our lives.

And yet some of the people I have been working with have shared a different story. I know actors who are still booking work within a national recession and a looming “strike” within our industry. I know a yoga teacher who is traveling around the country teaching workshops and retreats who is experiencing no observable downturn in business. I know of several people in both fitness and the healing arts who are still booked solid. I know people who are in sales who are experiencing incredible record growth months. This is in all parts of the country, big cities and smaller more rural areas.

My question has been what is the common thread amongst those who are succeeding during this time?

the three things that I have come up with are:

1. EACH OF THEM DO A REGULAR PRACTICE WHICH GIVES THEM ACCESS TO MORE LIFE ENERGY (Prana, Chi) This can be feng shui, exercise, mantra meditation, spending time in nature, cooking healthy live foods, sending and receiving love, spending times focusing on positive thoughts and prayer.
2. EACH OF THEM ARE FOCUSED MORE ON WHAT THEY WANT THAN ON WHAT THEY DON’T WANT. It is essential to know what you want and have clear intentions. It is also essential that as things externally don’t look the way you wish them to be that you focus more of your attention on the parts that are working than the areas that aren’t. It doesn’t mean ignore the areas that are not how you wish them to be, but rather take in what isn’t working for you, take action on those things and then begin to shift your focus back onto what is already abundant, healthy and flowing in your life.
3. EACH OF THEM ARE DOING WORK ON THE INVISIBLE PARTS OF THEIR LIFE (prayer, faith) and STILL TAKING ACTION. My dear friend is a writer who loves the phrase “WHEN YOU PRAY, MOVE YOUR FEET” -West African Proverb

It doesn’t really matter what you pray to. You can pray to your family, to your higher self, to God, or to a field of energy. You can pray to your body, to your unborn child or to your soulmate. You can pray to a cup of coffee, your surfboard, your car or to things both known and unknown. Your prayer can be silent, or aloud. In words or emotions. The most important thing is to ask clearly and then be quiet enough to receive your answer.

feng shui tips

See if you can look around your home and address three things:

1. See if you can notice anything that is draining your energy. These can include windows, stairs, drains or garbage cans. It can include neighbors, electronic devices or your home may be on a slope. Address these items immediately. If you don’t know how to do this, buy a book on feng shui, listen to some of the podcasts on my site (they’re free!) or if you are still lost, contact me for a consultation.
2. Remove clutter. Fix the broken items. Clean your space. You will have more access to life energy if you aren’t surrounded by things that are not serving you.
3. Place items that represent your clear intentions around your living environment. These can be images that you hide, a vision board or symbols of the things you are intending to create more of. This will help you focus more on what you do want than focusing on the things you don’t want.

Our home is our foundation. It is the sanctuary which allows us to rest and rejuvenate before we emerge and face the world. If our home is in chaos, disorder or we generally don’t like it, how can that not affect the outside parts of our life?

Rather than making your home the last thing that gets your attention, consider making it the first priority and enact the changes you wish to see in the world.

Have a blessed rest of your summer,
Ariel

Making Space

You can’t welcome something new into your life unless you put down what you are holding.

What does that mean?

It means that if you are all clogged up, how can you allow for something new to come into your life? If your closets are overflowing, if you have stuff spilling out from under the bed, or if you have storage units filled to the brim, how can you appreciate if something you have been asking for were to show up at your door?

If your body were full from, say, three full plates of Turkey and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, are you more likely or less likely to want to sit down and eat another meal?

All of this stuff in our home is insulation. It is there for a purpose, to protect us. But what happens if you decide you want to open yourself to something new? What then?

You can call an organizer. You can have a friend come and help you bring some loads to goodwill. Or you can muster up your strength and courage and do it yourself by:

1. Really focusing on the things you want to bring into your life.
2. As you clean out and let go, know that you are making room for these things.
3. Invite them in and you will be amazed by what how things shift.

But it all starts with you wanting to make some space…

Daily Inspiration

People everywhere are looking for daily inspiration. They seek it in horoscopes, tarot cards and spiritual newsletters. They seek it in the sunrise, their yoga classes and their daily conversation around the water cooler. People seek meaning and purpose for their lives and sometimes all it takes are a few words to set the tone for the entire day.

The first place we start our day and the place we end our days are in our beds. There is a feng shui principle which states: “that which is closest to us has the most impact on us.” It’s the principle of relativity. We spend 8 hours (at least) per day in and around our bed. So take a look around at your bed. What do you see? Look under it, in nearby drawers and at the images you see on the walls. Does it tell you a story? Does it tell you a story that you feel inspired by? Does it make you feel rested? Energized? Or scattered? Distracted?

Once we leave our living space we move to our work space (wherever that may be) and we are again influenced by everything from the lighting to the place we sit and the things and people we are surrounded by. Every environment is affects our experience. So look around and take note. See what might be longing to shift for you as the year comes to a close.

Since the principle is that which is closest to us has the most impact on us, the most potent environment (and that which is indeed closest to us) is the jungle of our thoughts.

Our days begin and end with thoughts. Reflections on the day or projections for tomorrow. Sometimes in this jungle we need a point of focus. A place from which we attract our thoughts words and actions for the day.

We know that the words we think, the words we repeat to ourselves and the words we share with others affect us all in a multitude of ways. Mantra is the art of repeating a word or sound with the purpose of transforming our minds, our hearts and the energy both around us and within us.

What is your mantra for the holidays? Perhaps a mantra for the holidays can be simply: “thank you for…”

Say thank you for anything and everything. Say thank you for things you are able to give and things you are able to receive. Say thank you for the blessings of today and the blessings that are coming. Say thank you for the things that are working well so that you can remember what they are. Say thank you for the things that are difficult and challenging and irritate you to your core, because they show you your edge of growth. They bring forth your willpower. They allow you to chow your true character and the depth of your strength and courage.

The first prayer/blessing I was ever taught as a child was:

Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the birds that sing
Thank you God for everything
A -men.

May you have a wonderous, joyous and prosperous holiday season and New Year.

All joy,
Ariel

Feng Shui On the Go

The Map

If you travel a lot, you may want to bring your feng shui with you on the road. You can use your ba’gua map to place items in your suitcase. If you don’t have a ba’gua map, email me and I will send you one.

“Shwayify” Your Suitcase

So take a look at your map, then at your suitcase. The opening of the suitcase is the way you “enter the space.”

Now you overlay the map over your bag whether it is square or rectangle. You can approximate the areas and as you place your items into your bag, you can place them with intentions that they are honoring the areas of your home.

See how it influences how and what you pack and also where you place things in your bag. It’s not for everyone, but it can help ground you into your feng shui. As we say, the way you do anything is the way you do everything.

“Shwayify” Your Space

So…you’ve packed your suitcase… what do you do when you get to the hotel or someone’s home?

Some people move the furniture around. With or without the permission of the hotel or their relatives. (Keep in mind: they may or may not be appreciative of your feng shui talents.)

So what else can you do?

Altars

You can create an altar. It can be simple. A stone. A candle. A bell. An image.

An altar is a place of worship. It’s personal. Unique. And it’s a place that represents your connection to the divine. Maybe you keep the items in a little pouch. It’s just for you.

You can set up your altar anywhere in your space. Many people put it in the benefactors area because it relates

to the spirit realm.

Some people do their meditation in front of an altar. Or they do some sort of ritual or ceremony like light incense or a candle. You can use your altar to pray for a loved one or to ask for guidance or to making an offering to whatever you believe in. Or the altar can just represent the five elements that you use to feng shui your home. When you travel, setting up an altar of some kind can bring those feng shui energies with you.

So what do you put on your altar? A candle? A bell? A photo? Again, entirely up to you.

Cleansing the Energy

What else can you do in your hotel room or guest bedroom? You can bless the space. You can burn sage or incense. You can do a salt or an orange peel cure. You can get your hands on some holy water. Or light candles in each corner of the room.

Feng Shui Yourself

You can also feng shui your self. You can carry a protective piece of jewelry or good luck stone. You can carry your mala beads. Or you can put a blessing into your purse or wallet. Or wear a particular color.

What You Can Do When it Looks Like You Can’t Do Anything

Let’s say you cannot move an item, light anything that leaves a smell or that you decide to embark on a last minute adventure where you can’t bring stuff with you…what then?

You can say a blessing aloud or in your head. You can do a mudra (blessing) with your hands. You can sing to clear the air. You can clap to break up the energy.

There are many rituals or blessings you can bring with you on the road. Begin to gather some information about one that you like and create a folder or an emergency feng shui card for your wallet or purse. Call the list: Things you can do when you think you can’t do something. Having these tools available to you can be helpful in an uncomfortable situation.

The most powerful blessing of all is to align your external actions with a clear and definite mind. Therefore a last thing you can do is to sit down and get quiet. See if you can bring yourself into a space where you are breathing and aware of your breath. See if you can close your eyes to quiet the mind down. And then see if you can see the room in your minds eye. And then, with eyes closed. Begin to feng shui the room. Add color, artwork, cures. Add an element. Rearrange furniture. Add light. Hang crystals. Plug in a fountain. Imagine the room as you would have it be. When you see it very clearly, say a little blessing in your head. As simple as thank you. Thank you (to whatever you believe in ) for

energetically helping you to feng shui your space for as long as you’ll stay there.

When you decide to open your eyes, the room will take on a different quality energetically. And as far as you are concerned, the room is feng shuied.

There is always always always something you can do to take your feng shui with you. Even and especially, on the road.