Category Archives: Spiritual Growth

Are You Interested In Feng Shui?

By Kevin Lloyd

In the 1980s, many people’s lives were filled with things-cars, home, vacations, stressful jobs. Then in the 1990s, something wonderful happened to many of those same people. By middle of the decade, the insatiable desire for more and more stuff began to subside. People signed up for yoga classes, books on spirituality became best-sellers, and many former yuppies realized they needed more meaning in their lives. People began to analyze everything and try to improve their lifestyles by adding a better balance.

Not surprisingly, feng shui became extremely popular around the same time. Feng shui addresses the relationship between a person and his or her environment, emphasizing harmony. This ancient Chinese philosophy is said to have been around for three thousand years. Now, the masses are more than ready for it, and it has become a commonly used term.

Crucial to feng shui is the concept of ch’i. Ch’i., in Chinese culture, is an energy that’s in everything you find in an environment. If you have good feng shui, your environment is kind of like a spring breeze–everything flows nicely. But sometimes ch’i gets stuck or depleted. Ch’i also enters and leaves through doors and windows (opened or closed). So in a room with awkward corners or furniture blocking your path, the ch’i is not good because there’s no flow.

If you want to dabble in feng shui on a budget, here are a few low-cost ideas to get you started:

– Add mirrors. Mirrors are used widely in feng shui, and if used properly, they can help your environment immensely. Mirrors should be usable by the tallest member of the family and reflect at least six inches of clear space around your head.

– Clear it out. Is there a chair that people always seem to trip over? Are there corners that are so blocked off that they are rarely vacuumed and have layers of dust weighing them down? Move things around so the air (and people) can circulate effortlessly.

– Remove clutter. Clutter makes ch’i stagnate, so haul off your piles of junk by recycling or donating items, and your reward will be even greater.

– Get even. Don’t use one candlestick or three–two or any other even number will feel better and more balanced.

– Pitch it. If it makes you sad, get rid of it. (You know, like that vase your cheating ex-boyfriend gave you or that bedspread you hate but bought because it was on sale.)

For more Apartment searching and living tips visit Memphis Apartments at http://www.MemphisApartmentstv.com and Nashville Apartments at http://www.NashvilleApartmentstv.com.

About the Author: Kevin Lloyd writes Apartment searching and living tips about Memphis Apartments
Memphis Apartments at http://www.MemphisApartmentstv.com and Nashville Apartments
at http://www.NashvilleApartmentstv.com

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Why Feng Shui Works

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By Candace Czarny

The basic principle behind Feng Shui informs us if you change your environment to reflect your aspiration for something, you can improve you chances of obtaining it. As a result, Feng Shui techniques can be implemented to try to attract love, push your earning power to the next level or to gain success in your chose field. Several different theories try to explain why, and how, Feng Shui works. Whether you believe one or all of these theories are or not valid, their sum total strongly indicates that if you employ Feng Shui in an attempt to get love or money, you just might be taking the first stride towards achieving success.

Feng Shui might well work because it alters your self expectations. If you hang an object on the wall that is said to help you find love, you will expect to meet that special someone. Believing this may make you open to conversations with new people or more optimistic about your chances of hooking up with a stranger. Such factors increase the likelihood you will fall in love after you initiate Feng Shui practices. The rationale behind Feng Shui helping you find love may not be so much spiritual as it is psychological; nevertheless, it is hard to contest the fact that Feng Shui is accountable for your new romance.

Feng Shui can be a great technique for another reason – it continually reminds you of where you really desire to go. This may motivate you to take steps to implement your dreams. When you plant a representation of what you want in plain view of yourself and others, you are making it impossible to forget your objectives. As a daily reminder of what you desire to achieve, it can help you stay motivated as you struggle to accomplish that specific goal.

Simply by definitively admitting and pronouncing your desire to reach a set goal, many psychological experts believe you are more likely to achieve it than someone who conceals and does not express it. This, alone, could explain why Feng Shui is successful. By the time that you have learned the correct Feng Shui approach to your situation, purchased the necessary objects to utilize that particular technique and completed the process so that your environment reflects your stated objective, you will have clarified to yourself that you are committed to seeing your desire fulfilled. Following this procedure, therefore, can help you realize your dreams.

There is always, of course, another possible explanation. Perhaps claims made by Feng Shui maintaining that decorating a room in a specific manner to allow positive energy to flow freely throughout the environment, are actually true. Whatever you believe the reason Feng Shui works expectation theory keeping you motivated or spiritual involvement, one thing is certain: you have nothing to lose by investigating whether Feng Shui works for you.

About the Author: Candace Czarny,ASID,CFM,LEED AP, “Award Winning” Interior Designer, Feng Shui Expert & author. www.ArtOfPlacement.com is continually ranked “Top 10” in Google and Yahoo. Clients testify of dramatic results!

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Feng Shui & Symbology

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By Juliana Abram

Symbology is very special to my heart. In fact, one of the more precious gifts I received is from my husband. It is a piece of artwork depicting in white jade, the Chinese dragon and phoenix. This hangs proudly in my office and for me, represents what I try to achieve daily for myself and others – the balancing of yin and yang.

The Orient has always had a particular penchant for looking at objects and interpreting their hidden meaning. This is revealed by the prolific use of symbols and that these symbols are like a secondary language, rich in nuances that penetrate all communication.

Not all Westerners are aware that in Chinese, each written character represents an entire word which is in deep contrast to our alphabetical text – where a sequence of individual letters signifies a word. This means that more or less every word in the Chinese language is represented by a different symbol so it is not unrealistic to consider that whenever pen is put to paper or in carvings it can also have some mysterious, abstract or obscure meaning.

Symbols are generally categorised as either auspicious or inauspicious and can be viewed as conveying the unseen messages of good or bad luck. All Oriental artworks are viewed as symbols, and their characteristic themes – water, clouds, flowers, trees, animals, rocks even colours – portend not only themselves, but also something beyond themselves – there is meaning far beyond the visual experience. There is virtually nothing in all of nature or any artefact that is not seen as being imbued with particular significance.

I simply love the meaning of things!!! On my first journey to Singapore back in 1986 I purchased a silk painting and it’s always been dear to my heart and this painting still hangs in a special place within my home. I was told that this beautiful piece of art depicts the story of the Eight Fairies or as I first came to know them – the Eight Good People of the world. Now these Fairies or immortals are on a special journey travelling the world dispensing good fortune to everyone they meet and each one of these ‘good people’ has a special object that they always carry with them. These items still carry auspicious meanings as they have done over the ages and generally, they can be hung anywhere in the home. They have also come to play a symbolic part in Feng Shui.

There is much controversy as to exactly when the eight immortals came to be however most stories and artworks can be dated back to the Song, Yuan and Han dynasties. I have listed the items carried by the ‘eight immortals’ and I hope that you will be able to put at least one of them to good use for yourself in your own home or place of business.

The gourd:- This wonderful object can be placed around the knob of your bedroom door as it symbolises good health and longevity. It is one of the items carried by Li Tie-guai, one of the most recognisable of the eight immortals as he is lame. One of several legends has it that he would frequently leave his body to wander the land and heavens. On one particular day whilst his spirit was wandering around the mountains his body was found lifeless and he was subsequently pronounced dead. In keeping with the custom of the time he was cremated so, upon his souls return he could not find his own body and therefore he had no option but to take refuge in the first available body. This happened to be the body of a crippled beggar and so it was that Li Tie-guai continued his existence supporting himself on a crutch or staff and is therefore always depicted as a lame beggar. The gourd is said to contain the holy nectar of the Gods, therefore, it is a popular accessory of many Buddhist Deities. In art a gourd decorated with arabesques and roses signifies the wish that ‘spring may last for ten thousand generations’. In other words – this is a wish that your family lasts forever.

The Fan:- Fans first appeared in China during the 10th Century AD and these beautifully painted fans have been a specialty of the great Chinese artist ever since. One of the eight immortals, Zhong Li Quan, who is said to have lived during the Chou Dynasty around 112-249BC, is the chubby chief of the immortals and recognisable by the Fan which he uses to revive the dead. Many other Gods also use the fan to drive away evil and as a result, from a Feng Shui perspective it has been said that fans have the power to deflect negative ‘chi’ or energy that has been directed your way by a hostile source.

Lotus: As the symbol of purity modesty and love, the lotus enjoys a unique importance in Chinese folklore and it seems that this is largely due to the influence of Buddhism. The lotus comes out of the morass and yet is not itself tainted. It is inwardly empty, outwardly upright. It has no branches and smells sweet. There are two Chinese words for lotus: lian and he. Lian is to love, bind, connect uninterrupted as in marriage and also means modesty. A lotus bloom with a leaf and a bud means ‘complete union’ whilst a boy with a carp beside a lotus means abundance year in year out. He Xian-gu was the immortal carrying the lotus and was brought into the group by Lu Dong Bin after he rescued her from a demon by using his magic sword.

Castanets:- Cao Guo-jiu is the finest dressed of all the immortals. He is always depicted in court dress and is often seen holding an official sceptre or castanets. So, for those budding thespians ensure you have this deity around you to help you on your way.

Flute:- A patron saint of musicians, this happy immortal is always depicted carrying or playing the flute. It is said that Han Xiang-Zi could make flowers bloom at will and soothe wild animals with his music. He is said to be the great nephew of the statesman and philosopher Han Yu who lived AD 768 – 824. There are many types of Chinese flutes, however; the vertical flute which has only five holes in the upper part and one in the lower section with only one end open is played mainly by women. In Feng Shui a pair of flutes is often used to divert the negative flow of energy.

Sword:- A demon slaying sword is the attribute of Lu Dong-bin (born around AD 755) another of the eight immortals. There are many legends regarding swords and their magical properties. In fact, it is said that an ordinary sword can be turned into one that will repel demons by going through a special ritual and then reforged. In Feng Shui terms there is the sword of coins. Coins are usually associated with prosperity, however, they were also used as protective charms. So it came to be that a cluster of coins were strung with red cording in the shape of swords. These were then worn around the neck to ward off ‘sha chi’ directed your way by a hostile source.

Bamboo cane: Zhang Guo-lao is the immortal that is always shown carrying a long bamboo cane, the so called ‘Fish Drum’. Inside the cane are two rods fitted with hooks, and the whole piece can be used as a means of making various sounds and music. Legend has it that he flourished around the late 7th and early 8th centuries and is always accompanied by a donkey on whose back he would sit backwards and could cover a thousand miles a day.

Basket of flowers: Lan Cai-he is one of the eight immortals and is represented by a basket of fruit or flowers. A decorated basket of flowers represents riches and therefore the motif has been a popular one used during the New Year period.

There are many, many items in varying degrees of styles that can evoke a significant value for another person. So………. why not consider giving a gift for Christmas with substance, one that has an important meaning to someone you care about. Perhaps it will reflect the gift of wealth, good health and happiness or even………..love.

About the Author: Juliana Abram is one of the leading Feng Shui consultants in Australia having been traditionally trained in Hong Kong. Juliana runs her own Feng Shui consultancy ( see http://www.fengshuicentre.com.au ) and her own online Feng Shui store ( see http://www.fengshuishop.com.au ).

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What Is A Feng Shui Life?

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By Charles Chang

Many people have heard of Feng Shui, and have wondered what having a Feng Shui life consists of. Some believe it is but silly superstition or ancient fairy tales. In fact, Feng Shui is the knowledge that comes from studying and understanding how the environment around you impacts you and your daily life.

In the Chinese language, Feng (fung) means “wind” and Shui (schway) means “water”. These two basic elements are considered to be the fundamental elements for life to exist. Feng Shui dates back over 3,000 years, and continues to evaluate how ch’i, Chinese for “energy,” flows in one’s environment and the impact that this flow has on one’s life.

At it’s inception, the art and science of Feng Shui focused on the arrangement of the home for optimum safety, comfort, and security. One’s bedroom would be positioned properly for the deepest and most restful sleep. Doors would be placed in such a way as to provide security from negative energies. Every detail was accounted for, including the stove’s proper placement to ensure that the rice would be cooked properly, each and every time.

As the years have passed, Feng Shui masters have developed more sophisticated ways of evaluating the impact of our increasingly complex environments on ch’i. These methods include the measurement of magnetic flow based on compass direction, and the natural real world effects of color, shape, and the conglomeration of elements in a person’s living space.

The common misconception many people have is that a Feng Shui life brings with it wealth and almost magical tidings. For better or for worse, this could not be further from the truth. A Feng Shui life is really about creating an environment for opportunities. It allows you to make good use of the understanding of nature and life together. This understanding can effectively help you make the most of the opportunities that come before you, and hopefully open you to more of those opportunities.

The modern Feng Shui life must continue to evolve in order to address contemporary problems. Environmental factors such as the effect of electromagnetic radiation, indoor plumbing, and other innovations have the potential to clutter the environment and can have a hand in obstructing ch’i flow and disturbing the delicate balance of life.

Many people who work to live a Feng Shui life stress the importance of embracing other life-enhancing factors as well. Since Feng Shui is a holistic lifestyle, it is reasonable that consideration must also be given to the quality of food that we eat, the quality of cosmetics or personal hygiene products that we put into our bodies, and the choices we make concerning products that may or may not use toxic elements so that we may continue to support the environment.

With our world constantly moving and changing, you can never have the best of circumstances all the time. With day there must be night, and times of good luck must come with times of bad, this is one of the primary principles of Yin and Yang. A Feng Shui life can help to manipulate the influences in your life and make it easier for you to be able to meet and handle these changes. It can allow you to make wise and effective decisions which, in turn, can help you achieve wealth and success.

A Feng Shui Life is certainly not some fairy tale or superstition. In fact, Feng Shui is a profound life tool that can be used by anyone to make life better and more harmonious.

About the Author: Charles Chang has been working with Feng Shui for many years. He enjoys helping others achieve positive energy flow through his website at http://www.feng-shui-pro.com .

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What You Should Know About Your Pets And Feng Shui

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By Cucan Pemo

So, you’ve decided to look into this Feng Shui thing and you’ve started to make some changes around your home. You’ve rearranged a few things here, put out a few good luck charms there and you’ve adjusted your color scheme accordingly.

You’ve bought into the power of positive thinking bit and you’ve been slowly replacing items that put you in a negative frame of mind. Everything is coming together for the perfect Feng Shui home, expect for one thing. Fluffy and Fido keep treating your new furniture design like it’s a jungle gym and you’re getting orange cat fur and brown dog fur mixed in with your green and blue Feng Shui furniture.

What to do? Well, there is only so much you can do with the pet dog and cat. Here are a few pointers to help you with pets and Feng Shui in your home.

– Your pet is good Feng Shui. Really, they are! Pets are full of life, vitality and wonderment. Even if you have a big, lazy fat cat, their quiet confidence and approach to the world fills your home with positive energy and not just cat hair. If you thought you had to take Fluffy and Fido to the pound to generate that perfect Feng Shui home, think again. You might want to go to the pound for a second cat, but not to give one up.

– Cleanliness is next to Feng Shuiness – Yes, it’s true, you’ll be happier and in a better state of mind in a clean home. And nothing is better for your pets than a well taken care of carpet, water dish and cat box. If it takes a build up of cat hair to get you to drag out the vac, then consider your pets a positive influence on your Feng Shui.

– In proper Feng Shui, people and animals must be kept separate. What that means is that if you have a dog, you should make sure he or she gets the proper training to obey commands. If you have a cat, keep them off the furniture, unless it’s a piece of furniture that is specifically made for the cat or dog. Make sure you discipline them when they do something wrong and love them when they are good. This will boost your Feng Shui.

– Keep the pets out of the bedroom. Feng Shui is all about love and, as we all know, for couples, most lovemaking happens in the bedroom. Have this as a human-only space. Don’t allow the cat or dog into the room at all if you can and don’t let the pets sleep on the bed at night since it tends to separate the two people sleeping in it.

– Pets shouldn’t be the entire focus of the home. Most people love their pets as much as they love their children, but they should have a space and a place all their own. If you invite company over and the smell of the cat box is the first thing they notice, it will bring in feelings of pity and sadness into the home and that’s not going to help your Feng Shui. Neither will having guests scared to death by a big, scary dog every time they come over. Pets should know their place and not rule over the home.

– Don’t let a pet compromise your health. If you’re allergic to cats, even just a little, it’s probably time to give Fluffy to a relative. You won’t ever feel optimal if you keep pets that are making you sick around the home. Proper Feng Shui requires a clear, positive state of mind and that can be hard to keep when you’re constantly reaching for the Kleenex.

– Don’t let too much pet luck ruin you. Yes, pets, overall, are good Feng Shui due to their energy and love, but if you’re leaving the house every day covered in pet hair and you aren’t confident about your appearance, then you might want to cut down on the number of pets you own. It’s all about frame of mind. If your depressed about your appearance due to the pets, change the pet situation.

Your pet’s connection to your Feng Shui might be bigger than you think. If you were to sit and write down every aspect your pet makes to your life, the list would be much longer than you probably think.

If you think having a pet is affecting you love life, then you need to decide if having the pet is more important than finding a lover and stick with that decision. Don’t let it nag at you and bring down your level of positive chi. Having a pet can be a wonderful experience, but it only helps your Feng Shui as long as you want it to.

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The 7 Schools Of Feng Shui

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By Ron King

Everyone has heard of Feng Shui, but what exactly is it? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese belief that involves the study of both the natural and the created environments. To achieve a balance between the 2 affects the energy of a room.

7 Schools Of Feng Shui

There are many different versions of Feng Shui, each influenced by culture, geography, and religion. There are 7 predominant types or schools of Feng Shui:

1. The Compass School uses the 8 trigrams of the I-Ching. They are known collectively as Pa Kua, which is based on the 8 main directions of a compass. Each direction is associated with a specific chi. For example, southern is vibrant energy.

2. The Form School, based on the landscape’s shape, uses 4 symbolic animals to identify the landscape. Easy to use, the Form School (along with the Compass School) increases chi both in and out of the home.

3. The Black Hat Sect uses a fixed entry point to determine the area. Although similar to the Compass School philosophy, it has differences. The Black Hat Sect also consists of psychology, Buddhism and basic design principles.

4. 8 Mansion School, also known as the 8 House Feng Shui, is based on the individual number of the person living in the home. That number is used to bring harmony and balance to the home. People who use this system have both lucky and unlucky numbers, with the west numbers being 2, 6, 7, and 8 and the east numbers being 1, 3, 4, and 9.

5. The 9 Star Key School uses stars to help identify lucky and unlucky days. This school of thought uses complicated math formulas to pinpoint when a person will get married and the astrological sign of the future marriage partners. It will also tell the practitioner how to live based on his house.

6. The most common form of Feng Shui, based on astrology and numerology, is the Flying Star Philosophy. Difficult to understand and learn, it is also based on mathematical principals and is used to determine a person’s fate.

7. Four Pillars, the final school of thought, is not very common. Based on astrology tied to the person’s date of birth right down to the minutes, this form of Feng Shui is also used to determine a person’s fate.

5 Elements Of Feng Shui

After determining which school of thought is best for an individual, it is important to understand the 5 elements of Feng Shui. They are: Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, and Wood. Balance and harmony can be created in a home through the use of these elements. If used incorrectly, however, the energy can be lessened or even destroyed.

Each of the 5 elements is also associated with a direction:

Earth — Southwest

Fire — South

Water — North

Metal — West

Wood — East

Beauty And Balance

In a Feng Shui home, all rooms should achieve a balance of these elements, although some items may weigh heavier than others. A chair might score 3 times more than a throw pillow, for example, because of the size difference.

Properly applied, Feng Shui brings both beauty and balance to the home or office.

About the Author: Visit http://www.fengshui4u.info to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at http://www.ronxking.com Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

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Feng Shui To You!

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By Kerry A. Francis

What is Feng Shui? Feng Shui ( which is pronounced properly “FEIING SWEE” in the Cantonese Chinese dialect” is a way and means of creating harmony between humans and their environment to enhance well being. An ancient Chinese theory of design and placement, Feng Shui grew from observations that people are affected – both positively as well as negatively by their surroundings. You may well have noticed that some places seem always to impart luck on their environments whereas some people seem to always have happiness and health imparted by their surroundings.

In your home and environs, good Feng Shui helps create harmonious family relationships, fosters good health, revives energy and enthusiasm and even encourages fertility and good sex drive. In business it encourages prosperity and success. By changing your surroundings Feng Shui allows you to change your life for the better.

Because there are so many elements contributing to your environments, applying Feng Shui may initially seem to be a complex matter. However there are some basic, time honored remedies which will not involve anything more than simple efforts and little expense.

In some cases Feng Shui can be as simple as moving furniture around, changing the colors of your d

Strengthening the Connection With Reiki and Meditation

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By Ryan J Bell

People who are just beginning to learn how to use Reiki to heal themselves and others can gain practical momentum through meditation. Regardless of whether you’re earning your first degree or have already become a Master after graduating from a third degree course, meditating pushes you to the next plateau. In fact, many practitioners who have faithfully adhered to the practice’s underlying principles claim they began to see a new level of progress only after meditating regularly.

Below, we’ll explore the ways in which finding quiet and solitude on a regular basis can strengthen the connection you feel with the Reiki energy. I’ll explain the fundamentals of meditation and how you train yourself to schedule time for it. I’ll also describe a 3-week program that you can use to contemplate your goals and seek answers.

What Does It Mean To Meditate?

Many people confuse prayer with meditation. It’s worth clarifying the difference. Prayer is speaking with God. To meditate is to embark on something entirely different. It is the act of quieting your mind and listening to what God has to tell you. Many Reiki practitioners prefer to begin each day by meditating on how they should use the universal energy into which they tap.

But, it’s a mistake to think that meditating must be done according to a schedule. In truth, many of the most revelatory moments are experienced during spontaneous meditation. A lot of Reiki devotees find themselves tapping into hidden stores of spirituality even while doing mundane things like driving, washing the dishes, or exercising. The key is to appreciate the meaning behind meditation and how it fortifies your connection with the Reiki energy.

Finding The Time

There will always be reasons to procrastinate meditating. Our lives are busier than ever and time is a valuable commodity. It’s too easy to keep telling yourself that you’ll meditate later in the day after you’ve accomplished everything on your “to do” list. But, that seldom happens. Other things will continue getting in the way.

This is one of the reasons why many Reiki Masters devote time during the early morning to their meditation. They realize that spending time alone and communing with God is critical to being able to focus on their spiritual growth. In doing so, they gain a better understanding about the healing nature of Reiki and the relationship they share with the universe.

A 3-Week Program To Strengthen The Connection

To be sure, there are many approaches to developing the habit of meditation. The program that follows is used by many practitioners because it helps them build the habit while strengthening their focus and spiritual empowerment. It is a 3-week process through which you can open your mind to your connection with the universe’s healing energy.

Week 1 – During the first week, you’ll concentrate on the Usui symbol of power. Each day will start with a specific question. Find a quiet, secluded place and meditate on the symbol for 20 minutes. Keep a small legal pad nearby to write down any notes that form in your mind during your session. They can include words or symbols. It is not important that you understand your notes; rather, it is important that you record them.

Week 2 – The second week will focus on the mental and emotional symbols of Usui. Each day will begin with another question. As before, meditate on the symbols for 20 minutes in a secluded area where you will not be disturbed. Keep your legal pad nearby and record any thoughts or images that appear in your mind.

Week 3 – The last week focuses on the distant healing symbol of Usui. You’ll spend the entire week meditating on this symbol for 20 minutes each day. Write down any notes on your legal pad.

Ideally, the above program should be used by students and practitioners who have passed the second degree of training. Those who have become Reiki Masters can add to the program by including additional symbols. Remember, the first step is building the habit. Only then can you truly connect with the universe and explore that connection with the Reiki energy.

About the Author: This article was provided by Programs of Light, a provider of reiki training courses and animal reiki programs. Check them out online at http://www.ProgramsOfLight.com

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Exploring Mindfulness And Meditation

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By Roy Thomsitt

In our every day lives, we are all guilty of neglecting our minds, allowing our brains to be lulled into a lazy, neglected, and unaware state. It is as if we are allowing ourselves to be sculpted by bland and repetitive consumerism, our individuality being chiselled away by a tedium we cannot even be bothered to challenge with any will.

Life need not be like that. We are each blessed with a powerful mind; but normally people have forgotten or, most likely, never even knew how, to use it. It is such a waste of our own greatest resource.

One way to start to extricate ourselves from the mindless quicksand is to gently exercise our minds, using mindfulness and meditation as a way of bringing ourselves more emphatically into the real world, and start the process of exercising control over our minds and our lives.

Creating a mindfulness meditation is a gentle but powerful exercise. But how do you go about it?

A Simple Mindfulness Meditation Exercise

As with any meditation session, you need to get into a relaxed and comfortable position, eyes closed, and then commence with deep nasal breathing, focusing your thoughts on the breathing to ease yourself into a meditative state.

Once you feel that you are calmed by your breathing and that your breath is under your rhythmic control, then you can move on to focusing on your own body, a part at a time. I was first taught this at yoga class, where we were taught to concentrate first of all on the left foot, focusing on it from a position above ourselves. Then move up the body slowly, left ankle, knee, thigh and so on. When reaching your head, you then do the same in reverse on the other side of the body: right shoulder, right elbow, right hand and so on.

Once you have completed your tour of your own body, as if you were someone else examining it, then it is time to open your eyes and increase your mindfulness of your surroundings.

To do this, focus on any object in the room; it does not have to be anything special: a cup on the coffee table, a vase, a plastic flower, anything. Try to maintain that focus for half a minute, and then move on to any other object. You can repeat this several times, always maintaining a focus on your own body and your own breathing, creating a triple harmony with each object on which you focus.

By using this simple mindfulness meditation you are increasing awareness both of yourself and your surroundings, in a very gentle and easy way. It can serve as a prelude to some mental task, as well as being part of an ongoing mindfulness campaign to strengthen and expand the use of your own mind.

For example, most days I write, but sometimes I just do not seem able to concentrate on what I am supposed to be writing about. I find this type of exercise, even just for 10 minutes, will snap me out of that inexplicable malaise, and I can get right on and write what I should have written earlier.

About the Author: This meditation and mindfulness article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website.

Good Feng Shui Begets Better Feng Shui

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By Amy U. Goodmann

Some people seem to have everything going in their way. It can be said that they have the “Midas touch”. Everything they handle or are involved with – every relationship, every business venture or relationship seems to turn to gold. Yet is a positive image, or does luck seem to follow these privileged people around. Is it the chicken or the egg?

If the mind did not matter then why is the head attached to the body? In the practice and customs of Feng Shui “Mindset draws Chi”. Overall it can be more than said and emphasized that having a positive mindset and along with that the real intention and intentions to follow through with your actions and endeavors is the greatest magnet for success and popularity overall. You can count on it.

Having a positive outlook and the intention to create the life and career that you want and desire, to attract love into your life, will definitely work towards improving your career, will draw more wealth and riches for you and towards you, and toward the direction of yourself, your family and close friends. On top of that wealth, riches and even power is like a snowball rolling down the hill, getting bigger and bigger as well as gaining more and more speed as well as momentum. Good Feng Shui ponders even better and greater levels of Feng Shui.

It can be said that Feng Shui is much like liquid water. It’s all about starting motion, direction, movement and direct ion in the correct chosen manner and paths. Once you “prime the pump” of a well, water will flow incessantly and almost without much efforts on your part and parts. Before most drivers start their automobile most kick or punch the pedal to the metal a few times and in essence prime the gas pump of their car , so that they can depend that their vehicle will power up in a flash., predictably , and in a most powerful manner.

If you have ever used a pump handle to draw water, you will know that it works in the same way. Some of the time you actually have to pour water down the pump itself. In essence you are making an initial investment of precious water to get more and greater amounts of water down the line, in the future.

In the same way and manner your thoughts and intentions can be seen as an analogy to pushing downwards hard on the gas pedal , or pouring water into a pump.

It can be said that you are setting the stage for your Feng Shui to cry out and seek the vital kinds of energy you wish and desire for your eventual path down the road of your personal success – be it wealth, love, riches, friends or simple contentment in life. It’s all about focus – in the correct direction, directions and proper path. Focus and applications of your tools and powers that you intrinsically have or have come to possess.

Onwards to a live of your wildest dreams and ambitions. Feng Shui!

About the Author: Substantial Incomes & Wealth A million $ not enough you need 10 to 20 Million DOLLARS current economic financial times Alberta Canada Real Estate Development Investments Diamonds Raw Invest