Where Energy Flows

As Interior Alignment™ professionals, we become observant of symbolism and metaphors in a home. I recently met with a Feng Shui and Space Clearing client, we have been working together for a few years. My client is ready for a lifestyle change as she moves into retirement in a few short years.  She knows that her home can support her plans for after retirement.

As we sit in her home, I look around and see that nothing has changed in the last 3 years. The same photos are up, the furniture is in the same places and nothing new really has been added to her home. We begin by talking about what is going on currently in her life.

My client states that everything is status quo, not much has changed. She is in the same job position, no change in salary and no change in her social life. I share with her my observations that her home has not changed since she employed the feng shui suggestions from our last consultation 3  years before.  She had not noticed this at all. 

So, we talked about how our homes and work spaces are a reflection of our lives. Our homes are metaphors for our life. As she looks toward a transition from her current job into semi retirement (really isn’t going to retire but begin to work on her art and music which she loves). We talk about how her home will begin to reflect this slow change from her corporate employment to self employment in the art and music world. Even just talking about this change I could feel her energy rise and her home’s energy rise in anticipation of a new support role.

You can begin to use the skill of observation by taking stock of your home and how it reflects your current life. What role does your home play in supporting your goals and dreams? As we partner with our homes to live our best life, we become more aware and conscious of the connections we have with our home and in our life.

© Yvette Neshi Lokotz, 2008. All Rights Reserved

When I began learning energy healing systems many years ago, I remember long, enthusiastic, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations I had with friends about which modality was deeper: was Reiki ‘deeper’ than Therapeutic Touch because the hands were on the body? Or was Therapeutic Touch more profound because the practitioner was sensing subtle energy fields around people?  Oddly enough, I remember hearing people’s opinions that massage was not as deep as Reiki. You can’t get much more ‘hands on’ than massage.  Hmmm… 

Our understanding of Energy is what has really deepened over the years: There is only one source of energy which operates exactly the same whether the modality is TT, Reiki or another. (I mention these two because these are the ones I’ve studied in depth.)

I see some of the same discussions happening around Feng Shui and Space Clearing today: that one type of feng shui (or the original or ‘real’ feng shui) is better than another, or that a particular space clearing ceremony is preferable over another, or is only effective so long as it is done with specific space clearing tools.

As an Interior Alignment™ feng shui and space clearing teacher, my main concern is the information being put out is fear-inducing and/or doubt producing. I’m talking about the schools who publicly ‘evaluate’ other schools. Imagine how a person would feel after reading or hearing an established teacher and/or school dismissing other schools…what if they are talking about your school?! I went through that stage myself when I first began practicing Interior Alignment™.

For a short time I honestly thought I had made a dreadful mistake in the school I chose, but when I was able to be objective, I saw the comparisons with the Energy Healing modality discussions and I also remembered the generosity of spirit that attracted me to Interior Alignment™.

What I learned from my teacher Denise Linn and Interior Alignment™ is that the depth, intensity or profoundness of the method depends on how focused the practitioner is and whether they understand Intention: energy flows where intention goes. Having compassion and integrity are also important.

The tools and techniques are not the most important thing. A $20 Bell is as effective as a $200 Bell if it is loved and treated with respect and as a sacred object. In fact, space clearing can be done with no tools at all: as with Energy Healing it is done through holding the Intent and being sufficiently focused.

So it is really what resonates within the practitioner, what interests and excites us, what feels like a natural fit, or makes us feel like we are ‘called’. On the other end, of the client, there is usually a vibrational match: the client will feel drawn to a particular modality, or a particular practitioner.  

A point a yoga teacher made has stuck with me: she said half an hour of a lower vibration emotion such as anger or fear can do more harm than eating white bread and sugar for a week. So rather than engaging in the discussions about what is best, authentic or deeper – which almost inevitably will lead to experiencing lower vibrational emotions – I simply know that if one school resonates with a person, it is the right school for them.

© Deborah Redfern, 2008. All rights reserved.

Interior Alignment™ is a blending of many belief systems that provides a depth and wealth of knowledge.  As practitioners and teachers of Interior Alignment™ we are also trained to create Altars that bridge the seen and unseen worlds in which we work. I am asked quite often about front door altars. I thought I would share one of my favorites kind of altars, Kuan/Kwan Yin for the front door.

Front door altars from a Feng Shui perspective assists Chi to floor through the door as the altar invites Chi in and from a Space Clearing perspective, the front door altar can provide protection from unwanted energies coming to your home.  So Front door altars provide both a welcome and protection at the same time.

I recently found a book by Daniela Schenker called Kuan Yin, Assessing the Power of the Divine Feminine.  Ms. Schenker goes into great depth about Kuan Yin. I appreciated this depth and sharing as I have a fondness and connection to Kuan/Kwan Yin. I have to say that this book also held another surprise gift. The forward was written by my teacher, Denise Linn. I had no idea that Denise had written this forward where she called for Kuan Yin to come and help with the birthing of her friend’s baby.

Kuan/Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva known for her deep compassion for all sentient beings as she heard the cries of the world.  Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have attained the wisdom of Buddhas but have postponed their final “liberation” or ascension. Instead they provide compassionate support to sentient beings in this world until the sentient being can achieve their own ascension.  She is also known as the protector of women and children. What I did not know was that is 33 images of Kuan/Kwan Yin for contemplation.  So there are 33 different images of Kuan/Kwan Yin to select from for your front door altar. 

The front door altar would be considered a guardian altar as it will face the front door but not directly
across the front door. The best placement is off to one side across the front door. The image you choose of Kuan Yin will protect the entryway of your home.  She will welcome visitors at the same time she will conteract any lower vibrational energies such as negative thoughts from entering your home. As you select items to add to the altar be aware of the significance of the items and your intention for the altar. You may want to add a special candle, flowers, or incense.  A special addition would be peacock feathers. The peacock is known to be Kuan/Kwan Yin’s guardian and will protect us from accidents, other disasters and can absorb negative energies.

Possible images of Kuan/Kwan Yin for the front door altar are with her using a protective mudra which is arms lifted to her chest height and the palms of her hands are parallel and facing each other; or a fearlessness mudra which is the right hand is raised and the open plam faces forward. Images using these mudras are the Four-Armed Kuan/Kwan Yin and the Kuan/Kwan Yin with a Halo of Fire (Kuan/Kwan Yin of Complete Light).

May Kuan/Kwan Yin bless your home.

© Yvette Neshi Lokotz, 2008. All rights reserved. 

In Nature, nothing exists without its opposite. We would not know what light was, if we didn’t have dark to compare it with. We couldn’t appreciate the sun without periods of rain. This law of opposites is the essence of Yin and Yang: opposites that complement each other and bring a greater sense of harmony.

Extremes are not comfortable Feng Shui. Like the children’s book the Three Little Bears, we like our chairs to be not too soft and not too hard, but just right. Feng Shui looks for the balance, neither too Yin not too Yang. Yin is characterised by environments that are dark, small, ornate, quiet, curved, rounded, floral and feminine. Yang is defined by light, large airy spaces, plain, noisy or lively, straight or angular lines and masculine.

The Victorian Era was predominantly Yin. When I think of the Victorian style, what comes to mind are very quiet, dimly lit rooms with dark floral wallpaper, heavy drapery, ornately carved legs on furniture and tables draped to the floor with heavy cloths. The Energy feeling I get is grounded, cozy but claustrophobic.

In contrast, modern homes are often very Yang with large rooms, high ceilings, lots of angles and large expanses of glass and wooden floors. With the cavernous ceilings, sound echoes throughout.  The feeling I get is expansive but also exposed. It can be difficult to create a cozy retreat.

We can usually sense when a room or a home is slightly out of balance without being able to precisely put our finger on the problem. One thing to look for is the contract and extremes between Yin and Yang and when you find it, balance it some energy of the opposite.

Some examples:

• balance very bright overhead lights with lamps and task lighting so you can change the level of brightness and create mood areas.
• brighten up any dark areas, even if they are not functional, with a lamp or pot light.
• paint different rooms in the house a different colour. Warm up cool wall colours with warm accessories and vice versa.
• use and combine different textures and patterns can be combined. For every busy, vibrant pattern, add a subdued one. For each smooth texture, add a touch of roughness.
• look for contrast in shapes, e.g., put apples or oranges in a square dish instead of a round one.

Every little change you make towards balancing extremes affects your life in a positive way. You will feel more comfort and harmony in your home, and that is the art of living well with feng shui.

© Deborah Redfern, 2008. All rights reserved. 

Staying in a hotel when on vacation or business trip can be uncomfortable from a feng shui and space clearing perspective.  I just returned from a trip to New Mexico.  I traveled with my friend and fellow teacher, Deb Swingholm. 

Deb and I shared a room while attending a shamanic course in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  When we entered our shared room we both had the same feeling, “get a different room”.   Deb did inquire but there was not another space as nice! We knew that we had to do some Feng Shui and Space Clearing in order to feel comfortable in the room.

As we went out to our rented car, I turned to Deb and said, “we are moving the bed from the extra room into the larger space”.  The extra room was next to the bathroom and felt isolated.  So, that is exactly what we did.  We dismantled the single bed and it moved between the fire place and a large walk in closet which was in the main room.  We also moved the small club chairs.  One chair was moved to a corner we had designated for reading and the other chair next to the fire place.  The second bed was in an windowed alcove that opened into the main room.

After we finished moving the furniture around, I placed one of my shawls over the full length mirror that hung on the walk in closet door.  We stood back and assessed our work by tuning into the energy of the room.  The room felt so much better as the Energy flowed with balance and harmony.  We used the room off the bathroom as a dressing room and storage for luggage.  This worked out so well as the extra room also had a door that we could close.  I also placed a sheet over the bureau mirror at night which comes from my Native American culture.  This transformed the main room as the room felt like a safe haven in the evening.

When we were finished arranging furniture, we set up a small altar.  Deb and I set our intention for the space and began a space clearing Ceremony.  We used our Drums and a [tag[bell[/tag] to space clear the rooms.  This is the first time Deb and I have worked together as a space clearing team.  I have to admit it was so much fun.

The bell is one of Deb’s primary space clearing tools and watching them work together was magical.  We transformed a space that began as a confined with stale energy to one of beauty and easy to take full deep breaths in.  And, we did all of this in less than an hour. 

We all know that keeping a sense of humor is vital. Well, Deb and I wondered what it would have been like to video tape this feng shui and space clearing to show on YouTube. We would have entitled the video, “What do Two Feng Shui Teachers Do on Vacation?!”

On the last morning that we stayed at the Inn, we had breakfast with a few of the other course attendees.  I asked them how they liked their rooms.  Their response was their room was fine and loved the view of the mountains. Deb and I told them that we were Interior Alignment™ Master Teachers and that we incorporated feng shui into our room by changing the furniture around and doing a space clearing ceremony. Their reply was, “I wish you could have done my room too I could have slept better!”

I believe the important thing to remember is that if you have a basic feng shui knowledge you can create a comfortable place for your soul and physical body anywhere you go.  If you add a space clearing ceremony to that same space, you create an intentional sacred space. 

All Rights Reserved. Copyright, Neshi Lokotz, April 2008.

The name of this poem is Flow, author unknown, and it speaks eloquently about the important movement of water in our lives. Water is the element in feng shui that teaches us about our life’s path journey or Career. The color representing water, deep water, is black and the very dark navy blues. Round free form shapes and curving lines symbolize water in our environments, as well as, of course, the actual element of water. When we have strong water in our personality, we have the ability to adapt well, and to flow around rather than trying to push through obstacles in our way. We can change our minds easily and literally go with the flow!

Be as water is

Flow around the edges of those within your path

        Without friction

Surround within your ever moving

       depths those who come to rest there.

Enfold them

          while never for a moment hold on.

Accept whatever distance others

        are moved within your flow

Be with them gently

As far as they will allow your strength to take them

And fill with your own being

The remaining space when they are left behind.

When dropping down life’s rapids

                  Froth and bubble if you must

Knowing that one of you now many

              Will just as many times be one again.

And when you have gone as far as you can go

                    Quietly await

                                your next beginning…

This time of year is always so refreshing and vibrant.  Just feeling the change in the breeze and warmer days brings on the desires to play hooky.
 
I wrote an article for my blog, Two-Feathers, about the Spring Equinox and I mentioned that at the equinoxes there is a balancing of energies at the exact time of the equinox.  From a Feng Shui perspective this shift or change in the seasons at the time of the Equinox is when male and female energies are balance for a short time.  We can feel that change and the balance.  Change is the male energies as the wind blows faster at this time of year ushering in the warmer weather.  Balance is the female energy which is reached for a short time. 

As we move around the Medicine Wheel to the Spring Equinox we are at the north-east winds.  This is a cross wind which comes in stronger and faster moving.  We also notice that the snow melts and we have spring showers (female water element).  Depending on which version of the Medicine Wheel you use, we are either moving from a female energy in the north into a male energy of the east or moving from a male energy of mental thoughts into a female energy of birth.  No matter which culture or belief system you are comfortable with, we have the gift of feeling balance during the equinox.

The Spring Equinox is also known as the Awakening Time.  As we come out of a time of death into a time of rebirth.  In nature we begin to see the sprouting of the new grass and spring flowers, all of which were gathering energies during the time of germination.  As the gathering of energy of the North winds gives way to the energy of the East-Winds, the time of rebirth, the Awakening, we can begin to see the sprouting of new projects that began as mere thoughts that came from our intuition while we spent time in the energies of the North.

I remember as a child attending special gatherings to honor the Spirit each season.  My grandfather was a member of the Dream Drum religion.  We would make the trip with him for these gatherings.  I liked the spring gathering the best as there was a sense of openness, freedom in the drumming, singing and dance.  The adults spoke Potawatomi most often and since I didn’t speak the language fluently, I had the gift of setting aside the world of adults.  I was able to take in the feeling of the ceremonies without the encumbrance of labels.   As I reflect on these childhood memories of the Spring Equinox Drum Dance, I remember the feeling of the beat of the drum, the heart beat of mother earth, as the vibrations became more and more expansive ushering in the Spirit of the East.

Many blessing to you on this Spring Equinox.
 
All Rights Reserved. Yvette Neshi Lokotz, March 2008.