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Feng Shui and The Bagua of the eight aspirations – also called the Bagua Map!

Posted on July 18, 2011 by admin

The Bagua (bagua map) is used in Feng Shui as a tool to map a home or business. Different sections are known to correspond with different aspects in peoples life. Each one of the sections relates to every aspect of life and is divided into categories such as Name, Fame, Fortune, Relationships and Marriage, Spirituality and Creativity, Career Advancements, and Power, Health and Wealth.

Ba Gua, bā guà; literally translated means “eight symbols”.  These are eight diagrams used in Taoism to represent the principles of reality.  They are seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts. Each consists of three lines, each line either unbroken or broken respectively representing Yin and Yang.  They are often referred to as “trigrams” in English due to their three line structure.


The map is intended to be used over the land, a home, office or desk to find areas lacking good chi, and to show where there are negative or positive zones that may need to be adjusted to enhance the environment.

 When placing the bagua grid over the entire floor plan of a home or business it shows the locations of bathrooms, closets, laundry and kitchen. In general: If these rooms would fall into the wealth area it would be considered that money coming into these particular zone will vanish quickly.  Although the explanation in itself is correct, it is over-simplified and abused by many “Feng Shui Consultants”.  The correct placing of the bagua grid is the first step to an accurate Feng Shui Consultation while many more calculations and aspects have to be considered for a complete Feng Shui Reading.

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Design and Feng Shui – The Space Dimension

Posted on July 11, 2011 by admin

One of the key elements in feng shui is the understanding of the concept of space. Through the use of formulas, directions and charts, we can identify which areas of the home are suitable for each of us. However, to maximize the potential of these areas, we need to be able to create a ‘space’ which evokes a positive emotional response. How we feel, how we act and even how we live is directly attributed to what we see and experience in our environment.

THE OPEN PLAN

Through the Space Dimension of feng shui, we look into ways of creating spaces that help promote a sense of freedom and harmony. One of the key elements in the space dimension technique is the open space plan concept. Through an open plan concept, we are able to locate different areas (living, dining, entertainment or reading) of the home within a single space, thereby allowing each area to stand independently from one another, yet be held together by the overall space.

This enables the room to ‘grow’ exponentially, giving an illusion of a space that is larger than it actually is. This allows us to breathe more easily and to experience the true concept of abundance and growth. It helps promote family values and allows each individual family member to do their own thing yet be interconnected to one another, making any everyday task a social family event.

Another major advantage of an open plan is the ability for the energies of the home to flow from one corner to another freely and unobstructed.

USING CEILING HEIGHT

If we are limited by the footprint we are given, another method is to play with the vertical element of the space. By designing your living area to accommodate for a double height volume, it allows you to experience an explosion of space through its volumetric effect. This design method captivates the concept of a fluid energy flow, to resonate throughout the house, and spatial freedom.

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10 Tips for Spiritual Growth

Posted on July 7, 2011 by admin

Spiritual growth is the process of inner awakening, and becoming conscious our inner being. It means the rising of the consciousness beyond the ordinary existence, and awakening to some Universal truths. It means going beyond the mind and the ego and realizing who you really are.

You can walk on the path of spiritual growth, and at the same time live the same kind of life as everyone else. You do not have to live a secluded life in some far away place. You can raise a family, work or run a business, and yet at the same time engage in practices that lead to inner growth.

A balanced life requires that we take care not only of the necessities of the body, feelings and mind, but also of the spirit, and this is the role of spiritual growth.

10 tips for spiritual growth:

1. Read spiritual and uplifting books. Think about what you read, and find out how you can use the information in your life.

2. Meditate for at least 15 minutes every day. If you do not know how to meditate, it is easy to find books, websites or teachers who can teach you meditation.

3. Learn to make your mind quiet through concentration exercises and meditation.

4. Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can really accept this idea, it will change your attitude towards many things in your life.

5. Look often into yourself and into your mind, and try to find out what is it that makes you feel conscious and alive.

6. Think positive. If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately switch to thinking positively. Be in control of what enters your mind. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative.

7. Develop the happiness habit, by always looking at the bright side of life and endeavoring to be happy. Happiness comes from within. Do not let your outer circumstances decide your happiness for you.

8. Exercise often your will power and decision making ability. This strengthens you and gives you control over your mind.

9. Thank the Universe for everything that you get.

10. Develop tolerance, patience, tact and consideration for others

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Aromatherapy for beginners

Posted on June 30, 2011 by admin

Aromatherapy is the practice of using naturally distilled essences of plants to promote the health and well-being of your body, mind, and emotion spirit. These essences, called aromatherapy oils, can restore balance and harmony to your body and to your life. Aromatherapy oils smell wonderful and they are also beneficial in many ways. Aromatherapy products benefits include.

  • Relaxation and stress relief
  • Mood enhancement, balance and well-being
  • Relief of minor discomforts
  • Boosting the immune, respiratory and circulatory systems

Aromatherapy oils are a natural compliment & alternative to other health treatment options. Aromatherapy oils may not cure major illnesses however; aromatherapy oils can be very effective at alleviating many of the discomforts associated with them.

Aromatherapy oils are used to:

  • Heal wounds
  • Energize
  • Improve skin tone
  • Relax muscles
  • Regulate hormones
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Relieve menstrual cramps
  • Improve sleep
  • Stimulate the immune system
  • Kill fungal & bacterial infections
  • Decrease sinus & lung congestion
  • Aid digestion
  • Relieve tension headaches
  • Aid blood circulation

Aromatherapy oils are absorbed into the body through inhalation and by skin absorption. When aromatherapy oils are inhaled, the aromatherapy essential oils activate the nerve cells in the nasal cavity, which send impulses that stimulate the brain and produce positive feelings and emotions. At the same time, the aromatherapy oils are drawn into the lungs and then quickly absorbed into the bloodstream providing physical therapeutic benefits. Moreover, when aromatherapy oils are applied to skin, aromatherapy oils penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream.

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The Symbol of the Tree of Life

Posted on June 29, 2011 by admin

The Tree of Life is a universal symbol found in many spiritual traditions. It symbolizes many things, including wisdom, protection, strength, bounty, beauty, and redemption. This tree is symbolic of the Creator as it sustains creation with its abundant fruit, protection and regeneration. The Tree also represents humans as we too develop roots, strengthen our trunk and branch out to a wider vision of life as we grow. The tree provides provide shelter. Tall and strong, it has deep roots. It reaches skyward. It loses its leaves and grows new ones, bears fruit, gives shelter. With nurture and care, it lives for generations.

An important symbol in cultures and faiths around the world, The Tree of Life links the heavens, the earth, and all that is hidden and growing below. A tree also bears seeds or fruits, which contain the essence of the tree, and this continuous regeneration is a potent symbol of immortality.

The tree is seen as a powerful symbol of growth, as the tree is the only living thing that continues to grow throughout its lifetime. The tree is also a symbol for the true self and serves as a positive, healthy model for the unfolding development of both psyche and spirit. As we grow and develop, a larger and more mature personality emerges and begins to flower and fruit, providing its gifts and bounties to the wider world.

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Feng Shui Tips: Remove any “sha” in the internal environment

Posted on June 27, 2011 by admin

This is the most basic, but yet one of the most important tips.

Feng Shui is about creating supportive and enjoyable environments. The term “sha” means any negative influence to any of the five senses or your feelings. If you feel unease about something in your home, then you need to remove it. Further if it creates a negative reaction to any of the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell, then you need to remove these things from your environment.

For example, we once did a Feng Shui reading on a house. The smells were so bad due to cat urine that if they did nothing else in the house, but open the windows and air the place out (and probably change the carpet), they would have improved the Feng Shui one hundred percent.

Take a look at all the areas of your house and examine them with a critical eye to the five senses. Is there anything that is creating a negative experience in each of the rooms? If so, rectify this problem.

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Tips and advice for meditation

Posted on June 23, 2011 by admin

Meditation relaxes the body and the mind, and brings inner harmony into one’s mind and world. It is a state of concentrated attention, with the attention turned inwards, away from the external world.

  1. It is important to meditate every day.
  2. Keep up a positive attitude.
  3. Do not meditate when you are tired.
  4. Meditate in a place where you can be alone and undisturbed.
  5. Sit in a comfortable position with your spine erect. You can sit on the floor, on a cushion or on a chair.
  6. Relax your body.
  7. Take a few slow deep breaths.
  8. To relax even more, for a few moments focus on a pleasant memory, or a mental image of a place that makes you feel calm.
  9. Think for a few moments about the benefits of meditation, how it will strengthen your focus, calm down your mind, ease stress and tension, etc.
  10. Before you start to meditate, tell yourself that all thoughts, ideas and plans will have now to wait until you finish, and that nothing is going to distract your mind.
  11. Start meditating calmly, yet with focused attention. The more focused the attention is, the easier it is to ignore thoughts and other distractions.
  12. Strive to stay calm, both mentally and physically, and do not tense your body.
  13. Patience, perseverance and self discipline should be always cultivated.
  14. 10 minutes of meditation are quite enough for a beginner.
  15. Start with a simple meditation technique. Here are two examples:

-      Focus your attention on your incoming and outgoing breath. For a few minutes, focus your attention on your breath. Breathe normally, while focusing on the act of breathing in and breathing out. Be careful not to strain your breath and your body.

-      Focusing on an inspiring quote. Choose an inspiring quote from any spiritual teacher, and repeat it in your mind, trying to find its deep meaning, beyond the written words.

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The Symbol of Yin Yang

Posted on June 22, 2011 by admin

In Chinese culture, Yin and Yang represent the two opposite principles in nature. Yin characterizes the feminine or negative nature of things and yang stands for the masculine or positive side. Yin and yang are in pairs, such as the moon and the sun, female and male, dark and bright, cold and hot, passive and active, etc. But yin and yang are not static or just two separated things. The nature of yinyang lies in interchange and interplay of the two components. The alternation of day and night is such an example.

The principles of yinyang are important in traditional Chinese medicine and fengshui today. Yin and yang are opposite in nature, but they are part of nature, they rely on each other, and they can’t exist without each other. The balance of yin and yang is important. If yin is stronger, yang will be weaker, and vice versa. Yin and yang can interchange under certain conditions so they are usually not yin and yang alone. In other words, yin can contain certain part of yang and yang can have some component of yin. It is believed that yinyang exists in everything.

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Learn the colors of Feng Shui

Posted on June 20, 2011 by admin

I’m sure you have your favourite colours. However, with the art of feng shui, the use of colour takes on an importance beyond whether we like it or not.

Learn how through feng shui, colour plays a role in your home’s tranquility.

There are five elements that are essential to feng shui: fire, wood, metal, earth and wind. Each element is associated with a colour or a group of similar colours that represent its energy. You’ll be surprised to see where you favorite colour turns up.

Earth

In feng shui theory, the earth represents stability in your life. It helps you to stay rooted and grounded in your relationships. The colours associated with the earth element are beige and a light shade of yellow. Light colours like these on walls will lighten up a space and make you feel as if anything is possible.

Fire

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this element? Maybe it’s the heat or a passionate feeling. Both words are used to describe the feng shui fire element. As you might imagine, colours associated with the fire element are red, orange, bright yellow, pink and purple. If you think that pink doesn’t seem to fit, you haven’t seen the “hot” variation. All of these colours will make your heart race and feed your energetic attitude.

Wood

In feng shui, the wood element is an ancient symbol of prosperity. Trees are made of wood and they contain lush green leaves and provide an abundance of oxygen for the people of the world. In keeping with these “life givers” the colours for this element are green and brown. So, it’s not a coincidence that money is green!

Metal

If you’ve ever looked at metal you see how it has definite lines and shapes. In feng shui, metal brings clarity to your life. The colours gray and white represent these qualities.

Water

Water is an element that represents abundance and a refreshing spirit. When you bathe in water it makes you feel clean. Using the colours of blue and black in your home promotes that purity.

Don’t be afraid to add colour in your home or office. How and where you use each colour is governed by the feng shui energy map of your living area. You may have never thought that red could be an energizing force in your home but according to feng shui principles, it can. Colour isn’t just for the walls but also the artwork, furniture and accents. It inspires your dreams, opens your hearts and brings new life into your home.

Once you begin really considering feng shui, and it’s relationship with colour and your surroundings, you will really begin to find more fulfillment in your life.

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5 most popular destinations in Asia

Posted on June 17, 2011 by admin

Here are the most popular Asian travel destinations, based on what people are actually searching for on the internet.

1. Manila

Although the Philippines isn’t necessarily as high on the travel radar as some Asian cities, it’s not hard to see why the capital of Manila comes in at the top of the list. English is commonly spoken, making it easy for those of us who don’t speak multiple languages to get by, and the country is famous for its beaches and its bargains (two things travelers typically love).

2. Delhi

India has long been a budget traveler’s dream, not to mention something of a rite of passage for independent travelers. The capital city is enormous and crammed with historic and cultural attractions, but even if you can’t take the pace and crowds of Delhi for too long it serves as an ideal entry point from which to explore more of the country.

3. Bangkok

Thailand is a haven for backpackers and budget travelers, and one of the main reasons is that it’s an incredibly budget-friendly destination. The capital city of Bangkok is not only the main international gateway for Thailand, it also happens to be home to one of the main airport hubs in Southeast Asia. In other words, you’ll often find spectacular deals flying to Bangkok that you may not find to other nearby cities.

4. Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh, otherwise known as Saigon, is the main entry point for Vietnam. Intrepid travelers appreciate not only the country’s excellent bargains, but also the fact that it’s even more off the proverbial beaten track than Thailand. Vietnam doesn’t yet have the same tourist infrastructure as Thailand, but it’s also far less challenging to visit than some other nearby Southeast Asian countries.

5. Hong Kong

Most of China is still considered a good travel deal, but Hong Kong has long been the exception to that rule. Even after control of the city was handed back to the Chinese in 1997, Hong Kong remains a more expensive destination than most others in China. There are bargains to be had, however, with great street food available for cheap right next to upscale restaurants, and market shopping options to go with any budget.

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