Chi

When studying Feng Shui in order to apply it to your living space, you will run across the term "Chi" many times.

Chi is the word that represents universal energy. What this means is that the ancient Chinese believed that everything around you – land, trees, buildings – has a particular energy.

Referring to the energy which encompasses everything around you – anything outdoors, indoors and even your own body – is part of this universal energy called Chi.

You will also discover that Chi has two sides, like yin and yang, meaning that there is a good and bad chi. In addition it exists in a number of different shapes based on the five elements found in nature – fire, wood, earth, water and metal. To extrapolate further, Chi can be broken down even beyond the five elements to the corresponding colors that embody them.

Feng Shui has several goals but the main one involves guiding or channeling the Chi in the space where you work or live.

You want good Chi in your living and work space because it feeds your spirit and maintains a positive energy flow.

This positive Chi that makes your environment alive with effervescence is called Sheng Chi. Where there is positive, there is also negative. This negative energy is called Si Chi and Sha Chi which literally translates to low and depressing and sharp and attacking.

SHENG CHI IN DETAIL

"Sheng" literally means a rising movement of energy. Therefore, Sheng Chi is a vibrant energy that is uplifting. This positive energy or life force is important and advantageous to your well being and overall health.

Sheng Chi can encompass many forms, most derived from nature or clean and simple indoor environment. If you remember, Chi is the universal energy that is found in all things around you. Well, there is nothing more powerful energy-wise than thriving parts of nature like a grove of trees or the beach.

Light is revered in Feng Shui, so it stands to reason that light, especially natural light, is a great purveyor of Sheng Chi. In addition, clean air with no pollutants contributes to this positive energy. These elements in particular translate rather easily into a home or work area. Little clutter with lots of healthy air and natural light translates into a harmonious flow of energy.

SI CHI AND SHA CHI = BAD CHI

Where there is good, there is always bad. Si Chi is a depressing, festering type of energy. It feels stifling and foggy, almost as if someone was dying a slow death. If you were in this type of environment for very long, you would start becoming ill. Sha Chi is a harmful, violent, assaulting type of energy.

Si Chi exists both outdoors and indoors. If you have ever felt any bad vibes when visiting certain places like reputed haunted houses or places where death and destruction occurred like mass murders or battlefields, these feelings are bad energy also known as Si Chi.

Sha Chi refers more to the architectural elements or decorative elements in or outside the home that exude violent nature. Certain structures outside that have sharp corners or points that seem to point to your home or work space are considered to be Sha Chi. The sharpness almost seems to be a type of assault. In terms of energy, sharp wall angles harbor a damaging negative energy as does a home or office built at the end of a T-junction road.

The whole purpose of understanding the good and bad Chi is so that you can use the practices of Feng Shui to combat the negative, destructive energy and turn it into a cleansing, well-balanced positive energy. Having good Chi is one of the main purposes of employing Feng Shui in living spaces as well as life itself.