Who Practices Feng Shui?

You need not be Asian or of Asian descent to practice feng shui. You don’t have to be an interior designer, architect, or landscaper. Nor a philosopher, scientist, or celebrity. In fact, there are no prerequisites to practicing feng shui. Yet, this is not to say that feng shui practitioners don’t share common traits. They do.

Generally feng shui practitioners …

• Have an open mind.
• Are willing to try alternative forms of therapy.
• Believe that the world and its peoples are interconnected.
• Believe in God or a Higher Power.
• Believe harmony and balance are essential to our well-being.
• Believe in a sense of fate or destiny.

Feng shui practitioners are global. They transcend cultural, racial, economic, and political barriers.

Feng Shui’s Beginnings in the East

In medieval China, feng shui was a closely guarded secret. Its masters were restricted to the ruling class of emperors, aristocrats, and the privileged elite. By deliberately excluding commoners from feng shui’s power, they ensured their stately positions. Feng shui mas- ters were greatly rewarded for their expertise, and severely punished, or even killed, if they were known to aid the masses.

Today, feng shui is a way of life in many parts of Asia. In Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, feng shui masters are regularly called upon to bring prosperity, good health, and beneficial relationships to individuals and businesses alike. Meanwhile, feng shui is enjoying a resurgence on mainland China. After being long suppressed by the Communist regime, feng shui—along with many of China’s other traditions—is once again being embraced.

Feng Shui Moves West

As Asians move west, so do their traditions. Oriental medicine (such as acupuncture and herbal remedies), Far Eastern cuisine, and the martial arts have all been accepted in our multicultural societies. Following their influences, feng shui is on the verge of being accepted by mainstream America. As we mentioned, feng shui is cropping up everywhere. Adult education courses, magazines, and websites are helping it to become a household word. Indeed, this cultural exchange of ideas will help facilitate communication and better understanding between two divergent peoples. Perhaps a time will come when feng shui will lose its distinctly cultural identity and become a worldwide tradition.

Would you be surprised to learn that some of the Western world’s largest corporations use feng shui? Here are a few examples of progressive Western feng shui partisans:

• Trump Towers in New York City
• Creative Artists Agency in Beverly Hills, California
• MGM Grand Hotel and Mirage Resorts in Las Vegas, Nevada
• The Deepak Chopra Center in California
• Sydney Harbour Casino and Hotel in Australia

While there are myriad Eastern companies that adhere to feng shui principles, you might be interested to learn that Hong Kong Disneyland, scheduled to open in 2005, is being constructed according to feng shui principles.