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INTERIOR ALIGNMENT E-NEWSLETTERGifting and Sharing Fall 2004 The following articles and tips are from Certified Interior Alignment Practitioners. Daily Rituals that Balance and Revitalizeby
Deb
Swingholm, MTIA
The
beauty of feng shui and space clearing practices is that they can be used every
day to freshen and revitalize one’s living spaces, creating an atmosphere of
harmony and a feeling of inner calm. In
Thailand, where I’ve lived for two years, people use simple, daily rituals to
create exactly this sense of balance and revitalization. Now,
I’m not a morning person, but when I do manage to get up early I am rewarded
with a glimpse of Thai tradition. Starting
at sunrise, orange-robed monks make their rounds, collecting offerings of rice
into their large metal bowls. The
smell of jasmine fills the air. And,
in the coolness of morning, people begin to sweep the steps and walkways of
their homes and businesses. All
over the city, bamboo brooms make a gentle scraping sound on the sidewalks.
Long, deliberate strokes create a clear, even rhythm.
Some see this as a “sweeping meditation” that helps clear the mind
and calm the spirit. When
the sweeping is finished and the area is clean of dust and leaves, they sprinkle
water, light incense and put out offerings of food or flowers to honor Buddha,
the ancestors and the nature spirits.
With
these simple actions bad luck is swept away while good fortune and blessings are
coaxed in. The home is renewed and
cleansed. The prosperity of the
business is ensured. These
daily rituals are incorporated into the fabric of Thai life in a way that is as
commonplace as savoring a morning cup of coffee, or reading one’s email. And,
though we may not sweep our sidewalk each morning, I think it’s important for
each of us to find ways to bring the sacred into every day life.
Simple, heartfelt practices can help harmonize our environment, calm our
minds, and set the tone for the day. What
would you invent? Maybe
watering your garden could become a focusing “meditation”.
Perhaps you would light a candle, taking a quiet moment each day to still
the mind. One
friend of mine begins her morning by tending to her many birdfeeders.
She then enjoys a cup of tea while reviewing her “to do” list and
watching her feathered guests arrive for their breakfast.
I invite you to be creative and invent daily rituals that you find enjoyable and centering. Whatever you do, let it fill you with peace and create balance - both inner and outer! Working with the Five Elements of Feng Shui Since
the Five Chinese Elements represent the 5 basic ways energy moves we can
increase the type of energy we would like to carry within us with Inner Feng
Shui. Let’s start with Water
energy as it basic to our health. We
need “jing” which is water, in order to function. Feng
Shui for Relaxation The nature of water
Ch’i is spiritual, mystical, meditative, flowing in a path of least
resistance. It is found in
fountains, ponds, streams, waterfalls, glass, reflective surfaces, and artwork
depicting these. Its shape is
asymmetrical, free flowing and not perfectly balanced.
Its color is black and deep tones like midnight blue.
When there is too much water in a space it lacks structure and direction.
When there is not enough water there is anxiety, stress, aggressiveness,
and lack of connection to spirit. In our body, lack of water
manifests as stress and anxiousness. To
bring ourselves back into balance we can capture the qualities of water by
slowing down, “Being” (“doing nothing”), and meditating, relaxing and
drinking lots of water. Take
a soaking bath or enjoy the luxury of regular massage.
By bringing the passive energy of water into our lives we can balance
ourselves. Result? Better focus and
centering to meet our daily challenges. Taking
“time out” is just as important as “getting the job done” when it comes
to enriching the quality of life. Visit www.spaceharmony.com
for more about Feng Shui.
Fall 2004 Clutter Found Guilty of Home Invasion and Choking Ch’i of occupants! Culprit Clutter has been discovered in many homes and offices where occupants have been deprived of vital Ch’i due to its presence. Clutter
has been officially cited as person non
gratis in places where Feng Shui and Space Clearing are practiced. Yes.
The first rule of Feng Shui and Space Clearing is Clear the
Clutter. To create
harmony and balance we have to recognize that clutter is at the root of
discord and imbalance in our spaces.
Clutter
n. 1. ANYTHING yes, ANYTHING that does
not serve you, 2. blockage, restricts
flow of energy, 3. chaos, 4. can
be material, physical, spiritual, or psychological. Disorganization Broken
things Things
we don’t like (Close your eyes and imagine that you are surrounded by
things that you love.
How does it feel? Can
you take it all in?) If
we don’t love it or use it then it is clutter. 2.
Don’t hurry. It is a
process that reflects in us too, so we are getting used to the
changes as well. 3.
Stay the course. 4.
Practice doing things in small time frames to keep it down to size.
Even 10 minutes
at a time will make a difference. 5.
This is a basic key to bringing wealth into your life.
Suze Orman
includes this practice in her wealth regimen.
Holding on to stuff is poverty consciousness.
There is a fear of not having enough. 6.
If you just can’t do it on your own get help from a professional
organizer or a
trusted friend. 7.
As you look at your stuff ask yourself,
“Do I love it?”, “Do I need it?” Namaste,
B. J. |
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For more information about Interior Alignment, please contact a member of the Foundation Council website by Inner Harmony |