Feng-Shui, they say, has the power to destroy poverty, restore health, improve relationships, and also to overcome obstacles to progress in one's life. I got acquainted with Feng-Shui for the very first time via a newspaper article way back in the year 1996. Prior to this I had never heard of Feng-Shui.

Two large Chinese characters, one representing wind, the other representing water were superimposed on the topmost part of a picture which showed Boy George performing. The picture appeared in the "lifestyles" section of a local newspaper. The caption right on top referred to Boy George involving himself in Feng-Shui. The article contained a brief explanation of Feng-Shui followed by the names of some famous figures who were reported to follow it's principles.

When I had finished reading the article, I said to myself, "right ... this is exactly what I have been waiting for" ... "here is my free lunch."

I wasted no time in procuring books on Feng-Shui and almost immediately started applying the principles contained within.

Let me now attempt to give you a very brief explanation of what I gathered after learning and applying the principles of Feng-Shui for over a period of one year.

Feng-Shui means wind and water. It is a set of beliefs which is supposed to provide solutions to shortcomings in prosperity, health, relationships, and career. Feng-Shui is built around the belief in the existence of a kind of energy called "Chi." According to Feng-Shui, certain areas in one's residence or workplace represent certain aspects of the occupants' lives. For instance the corner which is diagonally to the left of a room or office in relation to the entrance, is the area which represents wealth. All you have to do in order to enhance your prosperity is to cause the chi energy to flow to this area.

Conversely, there is also a form of energy called "Sha." Sha is emitted by sharp and pointed objects. Dilapidated buildings, and objects placed in an unorderly fashion also emit Sha energy. Sha energy does just the opposite of what Chi does.

In addition, the arranging of furniture, the directions faced, the positions of the doors and windows, the colors of the walls all have some significance and involvement. Going into detail is definitely beyond the scope of this article.

Feng shui masters use various methods to attract chi to the required areas in order to infuse luck to whatever that particular area represents.

The recommended methods include installing bright lights, placing a fish tank, and placing devices which produce pleasant sounds, like wind chimes.

On the other hand, Sha could be blocked using curtains or reflected using mirrors.

I believe I assumed right when I figured out the best way to harness the power of Feng Shui was to enhance the flow of Chi to the required areas whilst blocking Sha to those particular areas. Since I had several books,

I had a task of picking up points from all these books, and categorizing the the tasks and the sequence in which they had to be performed.

I had to assume a mathematical method to do so. It was not the least easy. However, the rewards that were in store were far too attractive to let go. At least that's what I thought!

I started off by enhancing the wealth-area in my office by placing a bright incandescent lamp on a stool right there.

This was followed up by placing speakers on a higher level and continuously playing Chinese instrumental music which contained sounds similar to wind chimes.

I did install wind chimes too, in the prescribed areas. I re-arranged the furniture, paying attention to the directions that I was required to face. There were recommendations on where to install the fax machine and the telephone, and on which part of the table important documents be placed.

The effect of the surrounding buildings also had to be taken care of. Pasting reflecting paper on the window panes to reflect harmful Sha, painting the interior walls with colors typical of the requirements, like warding off the ill effects caused by some of the surrounding buildings ... well this is just a very brief description of what I did!

Boy! was it not fun? I did this all by myself ... gradually ... over a period of nearly fifteen months.

Whilst being involved in Feng-Shui, I also learnt that in countries like Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, Feng-Shui is much sought after and is a requirement for any business as much as a bank account is! I also learnt that Feng-Shui masters charge up to US$100.00 per square foot when assigned the task of doing a Feng-Shui assessment for a business.

ow! Now I know what you are waiting for! You readers want to know the results ... right? You want to know if I became prosperous beyond my wildest dreams ... right? Well, you have a right to know. After all you have read up to this point, have you not?

Well, to be downright honest, what Feng-Shui did for me was this.

After fifteen months of hard work, and wasting time, all what Feng-Shui did for me was, it confirmed my greatest fear, "there ain't no free lunch."

... concluded

IMPORTANT FOOTNOTES:

CHI

The word Chi is written as "Ki" by the Japanese, whereas the Chinese write it as "Qi" when English script is used for that purpose.

REIKI

Chi has multiple functions. You encounter Chi not only in Feng Shui, but also in Martial Arts, and in a form of natural healing called REIKI, which originated in Japan.

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