Feng Shui - A Primer and a Practical Start - Part 2

The following is part two of my Q & A session with New York and Paris based Feng Shui and Yoga Consultant, Jade Dressler.

Michelle Barge, beYOU.tv:
That’s so deep and profound, Jade (re: the Ba-Gua). How does color and placement play a role?

Jade Dressler:
Think about what happens when you enter a park, a beach or take a hike in nature. The shapes and colors immediately have a tonic effect on the nerves. Like when tasting the most delicious food, the senses kick in via color, shapes and placement or the relationship between these to immediately override the divisive tendencies of the mind and the discord of the body.

Because our nerve cells look exactly like tree limbs, our bodies are made primarily of ocean water and the smell and taste of plants is the most primal sense we are programmed to respond to, we work essentially with these natural elements in creating a harmonious environment. This is not to say that the geometric patterns of our cities, our furniture and our walls cannot evoke harmony. Think of crystals and you get a sense of the sharp and direct energetic quality of stone, glass and metal, and sheer power that these forms and materials represent.

When you place the perfect elements on the map of a space according to the Bagua, it’s kind of like winning at Monopoly or the scene in the movie The Fifth Element, where Uma unlocks the mystery with the right keys!

MB:
How would you suggest getting started? Buy a Ba-Gua?!

JD:
Save your money! The first thing to do is cultivate your intuition! Feng Shui is an art and a science and the best tool is awareness. Teach yourself to really look and feel beyond the intellect at yourself and others. Notice how you feel in spaces, what you put on your body, how you walk, how others walk, how colors make you feel. Getting a heightened sense of your own sensory abilities and appreciating your new awareness is first. It is also fun and the universe is absolutely hysterical when you begin to open up what is smiling just beyond shapes, forms, images and relationships. That is so key; there are no judgments here, just more awareness to enjoy.

Then if you like, buy some books, get a bagua, etc. There are many schools of Feng Shui and hence, sometimes conflicting advice. That’s why I think it’s most important to cultivate your own awareness first.

The Chinese say that one who cultivates their own energy or power is ultimately much stronger than someone born with a certain amount of energy or power. Give a man a fish or teach him how to fish is another way to put it.

MB:
We always hear about corners in Feng Shui: the money corner, fame and family corner. Can you go into this a bit?

JD:
The corners or “gates” are the specific areas defined by the Bagua. There are many levels to the “names” of these areas or gates. If we correlate them to charkas we have the opportunity for real insight and can go deeper. For example: The money corner is really the second chakra, related to survival, hopes, dreams, fears, sexuality, etc. Fame is the seventh chakra or The “Guru” chakra, relating to self-recognition and deep insight as to our identity. The family corner relates to the fifth chakra relating to our creativity, one’s voice, mother, children, projects and female energy. Can you see how we are not just decorating ala Feng Shui, but also really looking at ourselves in creating our environment?

MB:

Yes, I can definitely see that. Finally - let’s see if we can use my tiny Manhattan studio as a test case for Feng Shui. I do every thing in less than 400 square feet so there’s limitations on how divided my corners are. I could be eating in my family corner, sleeping in my fame corner and showering in my wealth corner. How do you work with this kind of scenario?

JD:
What a little dynamo power cell you have there! With this case I would not be so fixated to the meanings of the “corners’ or gates and make that a priority. Since the energy does not have a lot of room to move, the access and pathways between the furnishings is really more important. How easily can people and energy feel empowered in this jewel of a space? The position of the bed, desk and stove are actually very important as well and there are always “cures” if their actual and unmovable position is less than desirable. I always liken it to our imperfect and beautiful bodies. We work with what is, what we have. Nature does this whether it is a stream around a rock or a tree root through stone. It all begins with the person who has created the space in their imagination as a reflection of their own beauty. Recognition is first. Awareness is next. Creating a supportive, beautiful space for oneself, family, guests and by extension the world, is next.

Good Luck and all and have fun.

MB:
Wow, Jade! Thank you for your time. Great insight and knowledge here.

Written by: Michelle Barge