Intention in Feng Shui

You hear this all the time: “Set your intention.” Yoga teachers say it before class, meditation teachers suggest it before meditating, and yes, it’s a big deal in BTB Feng Shui as well.

Why?

First, let’s define “intention.” Webster’s says, “an aim” or “a plan.” That’s sort of a lame explanation if you ask me, so I’ll give it a shot.

An intention is where you focus on what you want, even for an instant, knowing that you are moving in that direction.

How’s that?

Therefore, when you dedicate your yoga practice to “gratitude,” you’re stating to yourself that, even if you feel like hell that day, you would like to get more in a place of gratitude.

In meditation, one of my favorite intentions is to state, “My intention is to connect with the Divine.” I’ve found this to be powerful, because in the end, that’s what this whole spiritual gig is all about.

Which brings me to Feng Shui. Professor Lin Yun, who brought Feng Shui to the west in the 1970s, taught the power of intention in a space. He really brought home that many cures in Feng Shui are anchored in intention.

For example, say you have the classic Feng Shui no-no where you walk in the front door of your home and you can see straight through to the back yard because of a large window or a glass door. This represents an energy leak, because all the good that is coming in can escape straight out the back, quickly.  (i.e. Money can seem to be spent quickly, occupants experience lethargy more often, opportunities come and go too quickly)  Therefore, we would put a cure in place in this situation. (No need to knock down walls and reconstruct the whole house, please!)

In this situation, I would suggest the client hang a round-faceted crystal from the ceiling somewhere between the front door and the back, WITH THE INTENTION of dispersing the energy, slowing it down, so it can be better contained and managed. If my clients don’t like crystals, fine, then I suggest maybe a rug, and under that rug, I have them write on a piece of red paper “CURE” or something of the sort. And, ladies and gentlemen, this does the trick!

So, why o why o why do intentions work?

Well, our will is powerful!!! When we set an intention, we are making a wish, or stating a prayer, and then letting the Universe do it’s thing as a result. We are aligning with an outcome, trusting that it will unfold perfectly.

Why red, you ask? In Feng Shui, we work with the elements of Nature and Chinese medicine: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire. And we love to use Fire when setting intentions, because think of it, the tiniest spark can set an entire forest to flame. Red is the symbolic color for fire, which is why red is considered a lucky color in Feng Shui — it’s THE intention-setting color. Interestingly, in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and other religions and practices, one often lights a candle when saying a prayer or going into meditation. It’s no accident these rituals show up across cultures!

For a fun exercise, try setting an intention every morning for 9 days, either writing it on a red piece of paper and putting it under your bed, or lighting a candle for 9 days straight.

Then get back to me! I’d love to hear about your experiences!