Perhaps the single most important concept in Feng Shui is that of 'Chi' or Life Force. This life force or vital energy is at the very heart of the universe itself and is the driving force behind it. In traditional Feng Shui we are contacting or utilising this Chi to gain greater strength and harmony in our endeavours, particularly in those man made structures which we all live and work within.

Another of the fundamentals of Feng Shui is the effects that magnetism has on the human body. Hence the development by the Chinese of the magnetic compass and its use in determining the influences of magnetism in our lives.

Just as in the practice of Acupuncture, where we work to attain balance and harmony in the free flow of Chi through our physical bodies, so in Feng Shui we work to attain the same balance and harmony in the free flow of Chi through our homes, work spaces and our surrounding environment. And just as the practitioner of Acupuncture will work to find and set free any blockages or 'stagnant' channels in our bodies, so too in Feng Shui we work to set free any blockages or 'stagnant' channels within our surrounding environment.

Naturally, it is best to ensure there are no such blockages by always constructing buildings which will be in harmony with the surrounding environment from the day they are designed. However, as this is not always possible, we need to 'remedy' our environments from time to time, just like an Acupuncturist remedies our bodies. This then is the work of the traditional Feng Shui Master.

It is also important to remind ourselves that although Feng Shui is the Chinese name for this ancient and venerated art, the same basic concepts have been practised by most cultures throughout Mans long history. Even here in remote pre-European Aotearoa the Maori too practised a form of Feng Shui. Of course they didn't call it that but much of Maori lore and tradition had to do with ensuring that the balance between man and nature was kept. Ancient Angkor in Cambodia is another example, as is the Acropolis in Greece and the superb landscape gardens of Capability Brown in the English country side. For a more modern example there are the wonderful creations of Frank Lloyd Wright the American architect. These works all demonstrate human societys long association with the concept of man living in harmony with his environment.

PLACING FENG SHUI IN THE ORDER OF THINGS

Wealth, Health and Prosperity, these are the three fundamentals promised by Feng Shui. But, lets take a closer look at these expectations. Can one really expect to gain greater Wealth, Health and Prosperity just from the way we build our houses, style and plan the architecture, arrange the furniture and position of a few flutes on the wall or hang a crystal so that it shine rainbows into a room? No? Surely not!

To be realistic about this, Chinese philosophy relates Feng Shui as being ONE factor among THREE that effect the harmonising of a persons life with their environment. Traditionally Chinese philosophers have divided the potential of a human life into a matrix of possibilities. Feng Shui is simply one of these.

The First and possibly the most important of these factors is 'Destiny'. It is generally referred to as Tien Chai or one's Heaven's Luck as it is defined through one's Astrological birth chart. This outlines the general "direction" and what tendencies, weaknesses and strengths the personality is likely to experience through the present life. One's life is not totally controlled by the astrological influences which are after all simply an expression of the Karmic inheritance. Tendencies can be worked on and overcome with determination and self will, therefore, weaknesses may be minimised through effort. However, it must be born in mind that there are limitations which have been placed on you by this Karmic inheritance as expressed through the horoscope. For example, you may well attain a comfortable living through hard work and wise decisions but you won't attain great wealth if your Karmic inheritance does not permit.

The Second factor is Ren Chai or 'Man's Luck'. Again the philosophers council us to remember that the so called lucky breaks one gets in life can almost always be attributed to hard work, persistence and a positive state of mind. 'Luck' results from our maximising the other four factors. To gain 'Good Luck' one maximises our ability to work hard, perservere and be positive. Consequently when 'Bad Luck' overtakes us we must examine the same principles. Then we have 'Charity' or the Good Works we attempt through our lives. This is very much a case of "Do good - get good, Do bad - get bad." and works along much the same lines as the principle of Cause and Effect. Finally within the framework of our Ren Chai or Man's Luck we have the importance of plain old fashioned 'Hard Work'.

The Third factor is our Ti Chai or our Earth Luck, usually referred to in English as Feng Shui. By living with and harmonising our environment, we are working at improving our relationships, our health and our wealth potential. Even the most promising Tien Chai and the best Ren Chai won't reach their full capacity without this last and very important ingredient. 'Destiny' requires serious effort to reach its full potential!

It should be remembered at this point that any reputable FENG SHUI ASSESSMENT will involve an assessment of the following four aspects, namely: GEOGRAPHIC ORIENTATION, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE TIME/SPACE DIMENSION and THE PEOPLE.Anything less can only provide a PARTIAL ASSESSMENT!