For thousands of years, many cultures have provided modern man with knowledge from the past through written word, symbols and philosophy. Every surviving civilization has incorporated some form of balance between man and nature.

The ancient Chinese created a tool, called a bagua, to locate the most harmonious surroundings to build temples, homes and villages. Using the wisdom of heaven and earth’s combined knowledge, feng shui was born. Translated as wind and water, the energy of wind or the breath of life mixing with the flow of gently flowing water, energy or chi becomes the formula from which all life is formed.

This bagua, or 8-sided grid, when placed over any plot of land, buildings or homes, gives us an insight to past and present situations. This equally shaped mathematical sectioned tool can be applied to modern structures just as in ancient times. By following the easy-to-use instructions for Mapping the Home, you will understand more about yourself. Why? The 8-sided octagon contains eight human aspects needed for survival, plus a center cog of "the wheel" of life called Health, ruled by the element earth, to keep us grounded.

These secret feng shui methods of placement were used mainly by emperors to successfully keep order between the heavens and to govern with powerful results. Using this ancient method of harmony and balance for land shapes, homes, schools, churches and government buildings in today’s culture, we find its accuracy still fascinating.

After 3000 feng shui consultations, I am even more amazed at my clients’ success when following these ancient rules of environmental, physical and spiritual harmony.

There are many schools of feng shui based on the philosophy divination of China’s rulers. The Tao, which translates as the path or way, is both a concept and process. Out of the Tao comes the two forces that govern the universe: yin is feminine and yang is masculine. I have found this to be true when painting as an artist. There is no dark (yin) unless there is light (yang), the balance of these forces brings chi or the breath of life into the image on the canvas and magic occurs.

Chi, or the breath of life’s force or cosmic energy, is thought to blow ions into water, giving life to mountains, plants, humans and animals.

Out of the energies of yin and yang come the five elements of nature. Each element corresponds to a color, a season and a vibration. The I Ching, the book of changes, brings together all of these thoughts and practices. Wisdom, philosophy, the natural elements and color help form the trigrams, or 9 equal sections of the octagon or bagua.

The flow of chi must not be blocked environmentally, spiritually or physically. Clutter in the home, bad thoughts and poor eating habits can lead to bad luck and lost fortunes.

Feng shui can be used by anyone. This art of placement is now available through knowledgeable feng shui consultants, books and workshops. I teach feng shui for homes, businesses, corporations, schools, landscaping and garden designers. Art workshops are a favorite way to introduce feng shui through color and design. Painting with Chi is a popular course I give frequently, teaching students the power of color and the elements.

The two main feng shui schools of thought are compass and form schools.

Black Sect Tantric Buddhism is a hybrid of customs, thoughts and practices that arose from Buddhism from India and through Tibet and finally to China. Along the way religious, philosophical theories, rites and disciplines were combined. Influenced by China’s yin-yang theory and Taoism, the outcome is Black Sect. Its cures are both logical — ru — shr, translated as "within our experience or knowledge" — and illogical — chu —shr, translated as "outside our experience."

Whatever religious preferences you have formed, I find this school of thought can easily be used by western culture incorporating their own ceremonies and bringing peace into their own environment.

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