Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui
Vastu Shastra refers to the age-old Indian tradition of undertaking auspicious events and tasks based on the basic directions – North, South, East and West or while constructing a house. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of living in harmony with the environment. It uses “chi” (energy) to determine the positive and negative aspects of a home, office, building or factory environment.
Basic Philosophy
Vastu Shastra is based on the basic concepts of the sun’s energy, which is maximum in the East and certain auspicious areas/directions related to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Feng Shui is based on the theory that there is an invisible energy that flows through the universe, through our body, the food we eat, our home and workplace and the environment around us. It is known as “prana” in India; “Chi” in China and “ki” in Japan.
According to a map or “Bagua”, living space is divided into nine areas — career, knowledge, health, wealth, fame, relationships, children, travel and good luck. Energising of these respective areas can enhance these qualities or areas of life.
How it works
It mainly works through colour schemes, placement of furniture, lighting, plants and reflective objects such as sculptures, paintings and art. To produce proper impact, they should be so arranged that they are harmonious with the forces of Nature or cosmic energy. Hence, one can improve one’s health, wealth, relationship, knowledge, career, etc.
Vastu and Feng Shui Measures for Treatment of Allergy
The Health sector or the eastern portion of the house should be organised in such a way that all people, especially those suffering from allergy can live a long and healthy life. These measures are as follows:
□ This room should be well-illuminated to allow increased amount of light, which enables increased flow of “chi” into this part of the house.
□ Potted plants encourage good health and should form an integral part of the room.
□ Photographs of family members and objects given by relatives, friends and well-wishers should be kept in the health sector.
□ An aquarium or pictures depicting rivers, streams, waterfalls or lakes help in the well-being of occupants of the house.
□ Keeping metallic wind chimes with hollow rods at the entrance or in the eastern portion help in the flow of beneficial “chi” and remove all negative influences, especially bad health.
□ Keeping an orange or yellow coloured bulb or candle lighted in this room during night is also useful.
□ Painting the walls of the room with orange or yellow paint can keep all the occupants of the house fit and fine.
□ There should be no clutter or useless things in this room, which impede the free flow of energy into this room.
□ The atmosphere can be further energised in this room by regular burning of incense or performing havan or kirtan regularly.
Measures pertaining to the bedroom and other areas of the house
□ The bedroom should be ideally located in the Southwest portion of the house known as the sector for marriage and romantic happiness.
□ If it is not possible to allocate the bedroom in this sector, the bed should be so aligned that the head points preferably towards the South-west or South. This allows the “chi” energy to flow into the body while sleeping.
□ The head or the feet should not point towards the door while sleeping since these are known as “coffin positions.”
□ If there is an attached toilet or bathroom in the bedroom, the occupants should not face the entrance to this room because they will breathe in negative “chi” throughout the night.
□ If the long side of the bed is against the same wall as the entrance, one should not sleep with his back to the wall.
□ The bed should not be lying under an exposed beam on the ceiling. In case there is no alternative, the bed should be placed in such a way that the beam runs parallel to the bed and not across it. As a remedy, two bamboo flutes can be hung from the beam, tied with red thread or ribbon.
□ The bedroom should receive sufficient light during the forenoon while the curtains may be drawn in the afternoon and night.
□ The dressing table should face South-west but never the foot end of the bed.
□ Never keep anything related to the office or do office-work in the bedroom.
□ Keep metallic wind chimes with hollow rods in the bedroom, which help in the flow of beneficial “chi” flowing through the home whenever they move. Alternately, hanging a crystal can provide positive energy and avoid nightmares.
□ Coloured lights based on the beneficial colours mentioned in the article on Colour Therapy and painting of the bedroom walls create a relaxed atmosphere in the room and prevent unnecessary health problems while in the bedroom. Burning a small blue or violet candle in the bedroom every evening is also useful.
□ All electrical appliances in the bedroom should be unplugged or switched off at night or persons should sleep at least 4 feet away from these appliances. This is to avoid man-made electromagnetic fields or radiations.
□ Keeping hibiscus in the bedroom promotes sexual compatibility and is a stress-buster. Jasmine is considered to be an aphrodisiac and anti-depressant. Tulsi plant helps in keeping away evil thoughts and arresting the negative energy of any visitor entering into the house.
□ The bathroom and toilet should not be in the northern side of the house. If present, avoid using it or keep the lid down and door closed. A large mirror may also be placed outside its door to symbolically make it disappear.