Tips from a Local Feng Shui Practitioner

At The Pinnacle, we do our best to ensure a stress-free move for our Future Residents. When it comes to selling a house, finding a new one, and downsizing and rearranging a lifetime’s collection of belongings, we can find ourselves needing to take deep breaths. From the practical to the exotic, most of us can use all the tips we can get.

 

In addition to Moving Station’s Moving Made Easy, the first-class moving program made available for Future Residents, and Jay Pfannstiel, your very own apartment personalization coordinator, we have been collecting tips from experts across the industry. From organizing specialists, to real estate agents, to Feng Shui practitioners, we’ve done our research in hope of making your move as seamless as possible.

 

 

Amy Bourland of Feng Shui Places in Austin, Texas was kind enough to sit down with us and share  a little of her expertise in one of the oldest philosophies, and one of the latest crazes, Feng Shui.

 

Q: Tell us, Amy, about some of the principles upon which Feng Shui is based?

A: There are different schools of Feng Shui. I personally practice Black Sect Feng Shui (one of the Buddhist schools) which is a popular version in the west and more common in United States than other types. Black Sect Feng Shui involves some basic theories:

• The theory of chi: Everything has chi, or energy—people, objects, places. The chi has to be cultivated and adjusted through Feng Shui to produce a positive influence. These tangible and simple adjustments, or shifts in energy, are called cures. One example is hanging a wind chime above the heads of two people to symbolize ringing new energy into the relationship. It is a symbolic shift of energy. Collectively, making small changes is known as the Method of Minor Additions.  Natural energies such as light, sound, or touch—things that appeal to the five senses—can be used to guide the flow of chi and achieve balance.
•  The theory of multiple cause and effect: This theory is based on the idea that there are many elements that create and lead to each situation in life.
• The theory of relative positioning: When it comes to orienting and analyzing an environment, this theory teaches that the interaction between places and objects in an environment is what’s most important. It also teaches that the closer a place or object is to a person, the more influence that place or object has on the person. Therefore, for most of us, the object of the utmost importance is the bed because we spend a lot of time there and are very close to it. Emanating out from that is the bedroom, the house, the lot, the neighborhood, the city, and so on, all the way out to the universe.

 

 

Q: What are some of the basic tips of Feng Shui?

A: One of my favorites—a ritual gesture that strengthens your intentions—is the Three Secrets Reinforcement. The three steps are to visualize your goal nine times, then perform a mudra (a spiritual hand gesture) nine times, and finally, say a mantra of your choosing nine times. Repeating these steps is a sacred way of putting what you want out into the universe. By cementing a cure, or putting it in motion in the universe, you can go from 25 percent effectiveness to 125 percent effectiveness.

 

 

Q: Can you offer some Feng Shui tips for staging a home for sale?

A: It’s slightly different when you are selling a house. In Feng Shui, you are always trying to create a haven or sanctuary where you live. When moving though, you are trying to create the right energy, but it is a little false because the real intent is to sell. You are actually wanting to move away from that place rather than take refuge there. Anyhow, it still helps to create a feeling of harmony. Feng Shui goes beyond regular staging because you are affecting the five senses. Having the five elements (earth, metal, fire, wood and water) in each room adds warmth and instantly balances things. Harmonizing yin and yang (dark and light) is also important to make a house feel good. It’s especially important at the entrance of a house. And one of the real perks of using Feng Shui to stage a home is that it is cost efficient; beyond consultation, you don’t have to spend a lot of money.

 

 

Q: Are there any specific elements of Feng Shui that could be useful in downsizing from a large space to a smaller space?

A: Yes. As far as downsizing goes, think of it as an opportunity to create a really special, personalized space. Don’t keep anything you don’t love—no matter who gave it to you. Take those favorite special items and arrange them in special places in your new home. There are also tricks to optimize space. One way to make a small space feel bigger is to paint the ceiling lighter than the walls. This draws the eye upward and creates a feeling of openness. Another technique is to use mirrors, especially across from windows so that the view is reflected. This expands space by creating double views. Lastly, de-clutter. The balance between “things” and space is key.

 

To visit Amy’s website and get more ideas, go to http://www.fengshuiplaces.com.

 

 

Other helpful articles on the topic are listed here. Have fun reading!

 

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/f/feng_shui/index.html

 

http://gettingtoless.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/feng-shui-works-what-ive-learned-getting-my-home-ready-to-sell/

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Feng-Shui-Tips-to-De-Clutter-and-Downsize&id=3195195

 

For more information on The Pinnacle or EdenHill, visit http://www.edenhill.org/contactus.

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