(228) Sound is a great way to improve feng shui

By Janet Shin

Feng shui teaches us that everything surrounding us ― including people ― emits a certain energy and that energy has various impacts on our body and emotions. People may expect room and furniture positioning, lighting, color and bagua (or “palgwe” in Korean) to tell the eight trigrams for divination to implement feng shui in their living space. Sound actually plays a very significant role and it has either positive or negative influences, like other installations.

Good sound creates energy and clears the space so that you can uplift your life. On the other hand, you should also take into account the opposite effect of sound. We call it noise when it is not pleasant to hear. It can be just a loud sound as well as those generated by electronic devices, such as vacuums, copy machines, vehicles, radios or televisions and even by strong wind. Noise is a nuisance of modern life. Being exposed to it constantly is hazardous to both our physical and mental health.

It is said that sound is something generated by air movement, according to feng shui. There are natural and artificial sounds. The former is from water, wind and other living creatures such as birds. The latter is created by machines and cars, and is usually unpleasant and disharmonious with nature. Traditionally, it is not correct feng shui to be located in a place where a violent wind is blowing. This usually rises severely in a valley and between skyscrapers in cities. Occupants in a low-rise building standing between two high-rise buildings may experience this misfortune. It is needless to say that either working or living in an environment with continuous noise disturbs our harmonious life by dispersing energy.

People working in a noisy environment can become easily fatigued. The issue of noise between floors in apartment houses has been getting serious and even triggered murders. When people exercise, they usually go walking along the river or strolling in the park. They try not to cross streets facing harmful energy from speeding cars. The higher the speed, the more detrimental the energy is.

In my experience, I sensed both the killer energy of speeding cars on roadways and that of old machines. I used to exercise by running on a treadmill when it was not feasible to go outside. One day, it started to squeak. It didn’t sound loud at first. But I came to sense it wasn’t enjoyable to work on the treadmill anymore and decided to stop using it. When I was forced to stand and walk on roadways with the poisonous energy of passing cars, I became dreadfully tired at the end of the day.

A good woodwind is made of trees raised in an environment where they grew listening to peaceful and clear sounds. Trees from polluted cities can’t produce such beautiful sounds.

The fundamental teaching of feng shui is how to control the wind and to acquire the water. The wind creates energy while the water brings wealth to people. Both wind and water are closely related to sound. Sound vibrations determine the quality of feng shui.

Most of our living environments are filled with a mixture of amicable and hostile sounds. Clear and pleasant sounds uplift energy flow to improve feng shui in your house. Raspy, thick and fuzzy noises elevate people’s depression and stress. We must discern their influence and modify or eliminate the negative ones for our well-being.

For example, the entrance door is considered to be the most important place where we welcome new and vital energy, so it is highly recommended to hang a wind-bell with pure sound along with a sufficient lighting installation. Ring a bell at remote corners of your house to expel stagnant energy and activate animated energy.

There are various wind-bells, made of ceramic, metal, crystal or wood. Metallic goods fit well at west, wooden ones at east, ceramic at northeast and southwest and crystal at south.

If you find peace by hearing the gentle sound of running water, you may put a small fountain near the window.

Those positive feng shui cures will motivate visits of welcome guests, the hearing of good news and fulfillment of what you desire.

Information: Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teaching about the “Four Pillars of Destiny”? For further information, visit Janet’s website at www.fourpillarskorea.com, contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@hotmail.com.

The writer is the author of “Life’s Secrets.”