Feng Shui, not a religion, & Space Clearing in Bali

I have been working on a consultation report for a Muslim client. One of the things I love most about the work I do is the diversity in clients I work with. Feng Shui is sometimes mistakenly called a religion or spiritual belief because it has roots in Taosim and Confucsianism. Feng Shui is not a religion, but simply a way of working to optimize the energy that exists in the spaces we occupy, much in the same that acupuncturists and energy healers work with the energy in our bodies. And Feng Shui can be used in conjunction with any religion or spiritual belief.

I am learning more about cultures and spiritual beliefs different from my own then I did in my college Cultural Geography course (my favorite class, in fact!). It's exciting for me to expand my knowledge and understanding of others as a side benefit of what I do.

But I digress. While researching ways to incorporate my client's spiritual beliefs, I came across this article about Space Clearing in Bali on the day of Nyepi, the Balinese New Year. It's an interesting read,and what I like most about it is that it is a day of total silence. EVERYTHING stops. The airport closes, visitors are asked not to leave hotel grounds. No communication, no transportation.

How utterly appealing that sounds to me. To have a day of quiet and contemplation, and be surrounded by quiet.

May you find your own quiet spaces in this busy life.

Space Clearing in Bali.

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The month of Love....

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, thoughts of love and relationship are on the minds of many. I'm teaching a class this week on finding and enhancing relationships with Feng Shui.

But today, I'd like to look at this topic in a different way. I'd to invite you, this year, starting this moment, to begin to fall in love with..........(drumroll please!).....Yourself!


When I began my Feng Shui training in 2007, one of the early classes covered the concept of Inner Feng Shui. I was unprepared for this topic, and it was a moving and enlightening experience to look at personal growth and self love as an aspect of Feng Shui.

Having good Feng Shui is very important, but Chinese culture also considers your Virtue (the good that comes to you from the life you lead) and Knowledge (the luck you create by learning and increasing your knowledge) to also be very important to a abundant and healthy life. Although others may argue to the contrary, I would venture to state that I, at least, believe there can be no greater virtue than truly loving oneself, because that kind of love can only spread and grace others as well.

Self love has been a process for me, and one that became vitally important in my life following the birth of my tiny daughter. I became aware very quickly that, at least for now, I'm possibly the role model in her life who will influence her most strongly. She looks to me for information on many topics, but most importantly on how to treat herself. If I didn't learn to truly love and honor myself, than how could I teach her to love her little self?

And so began in earnest, my quest to truly love and take good care of me. I have faltered at times, and forgotten the importance of this, and at other times I'm just not sure how to do it properly or how to fit it into my busy schedule.

But now that I have a constant reminder of the importance of this, my goal is to love myself with the depth and slow buring fire of a life long love affair, to care gently for myself, push myself forward when needed but always kindly. I invite you to find your own definition of self love and pursue it steadily. And know that there isn't anything more attractive than a confident person who loves her(him)self, so if you're hoping to find that special someone, now is the time to realize how very special you are.

Happy Valentine's Day!