Mind, Body, Home: Transform Your Life One Room at a Time (6 page)

to filter into our life, body, and spaces. Think of a prism that refracts
Your Home’s Origin 21

light in a myriad of different shapes, direction, textures, and colors. The same is true with energy and the energy soup in which we live.

The ultimate source of all energy has been given many names, such

as God, Universal Energy, Source, Divine Love, Universal Love, among

others. Like a crystal prism, this energy flows and refracts through everything—galaxies, Earth, humans, food, plants, electronics, and even a manufactured vinyl chair from the 1970s. Everything—from a child to

a curtain rod—is a derivative or projection of the prism of energy. In other words, everything is energy and is a derivative of primary source of energy. The Sun is our primary source of energy in the Milky Way

galaxy and has even been considered a God, or deity, in its own right.

For without the Sun, there would be no life on Earth. But even that

which we consider
our
Sun is an offshoot of universal energy, sometimes referred to as the Central Sun.

From a scientific perspective, chi or energy is electromagnetic en-

ergy. Electromagnetic energy waves are emitted from the core of the

Earth, through the layers, up to the surface, and into our atmosphere.

This energy is actually a byproduct of the Sun. Planet Earth receives

the Sun’s energy, keeping what it needs to maintain its equilibrium and reflecting back that which it doesn’t need via the atmosphere. We humans are the beneficiaries of this amazing process.

Since Earth acts as our host through gravity, she is our benefactor

of energy from the sun. It is this strong magnetic pull through elec-

tromagnetic energy that keeps us grounded, literally and energetically, to Planet Earth. This energy is referred to as
chi
in Chinese Metaphysics and
prana
in Vedic studies. Earth maintains the thermostat so that we can exist and live under habitable conditions. When thought of in

these terms it seems absurd that we would want to live any other way

than in harmony with Mother Earth, let alone jeopardize Earth’s built-

in HVAC system.

Yin and Yang

If chi were to be subdivided into two major categories, it would be
Yin
and
Yang
. Yin energy is thought of as feminine energy, while Yang energy
22 Your Home’s Origin

is considered masculine energy. Yin and yang energy can be seen in a

myriad of forms and visibly depicted in the Earth’s natural terrain. The most obvious example would be mountains and valleys. Valleys represent and emit yin energy, whereas mountains vibrate yang energy.

Areas with water have more yin energy, while volcanic areas and those

related to fire, such as deserts, would be yang energy.

The Earth’s natural terrain is the most direct point through which

the earth’s energy makes contact with our atmosphere and therefore

an important consideration in enhancing energy in our living spaces.

In Sedona, Arizona, known for the high energy of its red rocks, you

can experience first-hand the vibrations of yin and yang energy emitted from the Earth. Located throughout Sedona are energy vortexes. Each

vortex is associated with a yin or yang energy, or a balance of yin yang, depending on the land formation. For example, the mountain peaks

emit yang energy, while the valleys and water areas emit yin energy.

Land formations with both peaks and valleys emit a yin yang balance.

Energy

Yin

Yang

(feminine)

(masculine)

Yin

Yang

Feminine

Masculine

Night

Day

Cold

Warm

Dark

Light

Passive

Active

Moon

Sun

Still

Moving

Earth

Sky

Your Home’s Origin 23

Once you sit down and tune into your body, you can feel the en-

ergies. The yang energy vortex is energizing, while the yin energy is

relaxing. These particular land formations are enhanced by the iron

oxide mineral composition that helps to channel the Earth’s energy

even more so. These energy vortices provide us with an exaggerated ex-

ample of how Earth emits electromagnetic energy into the atmosphere

across the globe and into our homes.

Yin and yang energy shows up everywhere in our life and in our

homes. We are consciously or unconsciously striving to strike a balance between yin and yang energy. This is the foundation of most relationships. Regardless of gender, almost all relationships are seeking wholeness—a balance of yin and yang energy. Within our own body, we are

striving to balance our right (masculine) side with our left (feminine) side. Yin and yang can also be seen within our brain as we use our right brain (feminine) for intuitive functions and our left brain (masculine) for analytical functions.

So is the case with our homes as well. Those rooms with a balance

of yin and yang energy will feel the best. They will also be the rooms that most people gravitate toward in your home. The most prevalent

way yin and yang energy is expressed in our living spaces is through

lighting. Rooms with little or no natural light are more yin in nature

and rooms with bright sunlight beaming through the windows have

more yang energy.

Lighting can be drastically altered from the inside or outside of a

space. Trees and shrubs can be trimmed if a house is too shaded. On

the other hand, if a home gets too much Southern exposure, planting

a tree for shade is a great remedy. From the inside, window treatments

can be used. For rooms that are too yin and need more light, then try

using light, opaque window coverings, or none at all if privacy is not an issue. Adding heavier window treatments can help bring more yin into

a space if needed. Artificial lighting can also be used to enhance the yang energy if a room doesn’t get enough natural yang energy.

While lighting is the predominant indicator of yin and yang energy

in a space, every aspect of a home’s décor has a yin or yang quality.

Colors, types of furniture, window treatments, flooring, ceiling height,
24 Your Home’s Origin

and even the shapes of décor items affect the yin and yang balance of a room. The chart below gives examples.

YIN Energy in Interiors

YANG Energy in Interiors

Black, brown, gray, dark, and

Bright, white, light colors, and

monochromatic colors

multi-colored patterns

Heavy curtains and drapery

Light or sheer window coverings

Large, heavy furniture

Open space, light furniture

Rectangular, square, and flowing Circles, triangles, and vertical lines shapes

Hanging items drawing energy

Linear items drawing the energy up

from the ceiling down

from the ground

Carpets, rugs

Hardwoods, tile, and laminate

flooring

Low ceilings

High ceilings

Collections, knicknacks

Minimal, contemporary

Neighborhoods

Now that you have a basic understanding of how chi weaves its way

through the Earth and into your home, let’s consider the first step in

selecting a home. Although not common in our modern world, feng

shui principles can be used in selecting the regions or cities we choose to live. The energy of spaces starts with the land and threads its way up into our individual spaces and lives. This can be seen on even a much

larger level with cities. I recently visited Vancouver, which sits in an auspicious location with a yin yang balance of water and mountains. It is no wonder it is an abundant and thriving city. In cities or regions not blessed with Earth’s auspicious feng shui, you often see oppression.

Not every spot of land on Earth is meant for inhabiting. This is

clearly the case with deserts and mountaintops, but also on certain lots in suburbs and neighborhoods. Just because a builder puts up a house

on a lot doesn’t mean it’s suitable for living in or that it will be a supportive environment for a prosperous and happy life.

Your Home’s Origin 25

For most of us, our home site selection usually starts with deciding

what neighborhood we want to live in. Again,
location, location, location
is the mantra in not only selecting a home, but a neighborhood too.

This was a hard lesson I learned a few years ago. I was wooed by a gor-

geous new-construction home. It was on the very edge of a great neigh-

borhood, but what a difference a few streets over can make. Because of

its less-than-desirable location, we were able to afford it. We thought the beauty of the house would be enough to override the neighborhood. Unfortunately, we were wrong.

For the first year, we enjoyed our beautiful new home. As we en-

tered the second year, the modern aesthetics started to wear off as the undesirable qualities of the neighborhood became more and more apparent. Although it was a seemingly quiet, residential street, it had lots of traffic due to being on the bus line. The street was long and straight with no breaks, which allowed cars to speed up and down the street. I

witnessed several animals being hit by cars, which was heartbreaking.

Running along the back of our home was a train track and a less

than desirable street beyond there. Due to its accessibility, the street experienced a high-rate of break-ins. Needless to say, the street had

bad feng shui. In fact, it had everything you should avoid in selecting a neighborhood, which is why I am sharing this story. When we realized

we couldn’t take it any longer we put our home on the market. We

joked that we needed a neighborhood stager rather than a home stager.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a neighborhood:

Route in and out

As you drive the route in and out of your neighborhood or potential

neighborhood, notice what types of homes, businesses, and services

you pass. Avoid homes or streets where you have to pass a large cem-

etery, junkyard, cellphone tower, or a service business that is inherently toxic, dead, or has a high concentration of yin energy. Also avoid living in spaces with a view of such sites. Do you pass by uplifting homes,

businesses, or parks, or do you pass by abandoned buildings, suffering

businesses, or any sites that seem oppressive to you?

26 Your Home’s Origin

In my previous home, the quickest way in and out of the neigh-

borhood meant that I had to pass through a run-down part of town

in order to quickly get to the interstate. The longer route took me

through a more desirable area, but there was a particular hairpin intersection that I always dreaded. Either route was unpleasant and depleted my energy.

Our subconscious mind is constantly picking up on our environ-

ment and taking notes. If you pass a cemetery every day to and from

work, it will bring your energy down whether you are aware of it or

not. Compare this with passing through a beautiful and abundant park-

like setting or thriving businesses. Not only does your visual surrounding affect your mood, but your overall energy as well.

Rhythm of a Block

Have you ever lived in a house or multi-story unit with a great view

until a new structure was built next door or across from you? Suddenly

the whole feel of your home is changed, perhaps even wiping out your

ocean view. In urban neighborhoods, it is common for cheaper homes

that are either dilapidated or in disrepair to be torn down and replaced by newer and bigger homes. This is referred to as
infill housing
. If there are no building restrictions in the neighborhood, then builders will usually build as large a house as they can fit on the lot, regardless of the size of the other homes on the block. This creates incongruence in the

rhythm of the block. The disparity of home sizes also creates inauspicious chi for the smaller homes nearby and the large home as well.

Subdivisions that have been well-planned will have slightly curved

streets, sidewalks, and homes that are similar in size with a varying degree of styles and shapes of homes. In subdivisions where all the homes look exactly the same, the block lacks a rhythm. Think of music with

one note. In urban areas with mixed-use spaces, be mindful of large

buildings nearby. It is best not to live in a building that is dwarfed by another building. This can lead to feelings of inferiority, being blocked or stunted in your endeavors. Likewise, living in a home that towers over

others can lead to feelings of superiority or arrogance.

Your Home’s Origin 27

Other Homes

It is important to take note of the homes around your home site. Are

the yards taken care of ? If pets are in sight, do they look cared for? Are neighbors walking the neighborhood with ease or are they hurried? Is

there a park nearby and, if so, is it well taken care of and used appropriately? Whether you are renting or buying, these are all questions to consider before moving into a neighborhood.

Notice the number of
For Sale
signs and even research the amount of turnover on the street. Is there an inordinate amount of foreclosures on the street or in the immediate area? Have homes been on the market for

a longer-than-average amount of time? While a neighborhood may look

pretty, if there is a lot of turnover or difficulty in selling homes, then that is a possible sign of a deeper, energetic problem going on with the land.