Feng Shui and Religion: Can You Have Both?

- By guest contributor Kathy Keh.

This past month, a customer came into my shop wondering whether or not using feng shui would conflict with her religious beliefs and prayer. It was a true gift that she approached me with her question, because it prompted me to get clear on what I personally thought about this subject. Since April is a very spiritual month in which many celebrate Easter and Passover, I thought I would take the opportunity to share my perspective, and I hope that it clarifies questions that some of you may have as well.

Many people think that they shouldn't use feng shui because it conflicts with their existing religious beliefs. However, feng shui is not a religion. Other people think that feng shui is about black magic, driving evil spirits the home and a host of other fear based-beliefs, and it is my fervent personal and professional opinion that it is absolutely not about any of this either. In fact, feng shui has nothing to do with religion unless religion is something that is important to you---and in that case, it is included as an element of your feng shui.

Feng shui originated in China over 5,000 years ago, and it is a massive body of knowledge centered around the study of energy. Many of us were taught that energy is something that can be reduced down to one simple formula: E = MC2 (energy equals mass multiplied by the velocity of light). This formula for energy has imparted little, if any true relevance for most of us in our day-to-day lives.

The Chinese, on the other hand, have expanded upon that simple formula and turned it into a 5,000 year-long study about the amazing and powerful aspects of energy, how it affects us and, most importantly, how we can use it to our benefit. They call this feng shui.

There are no geographical, cultural or religious boundaries for using feng shui. Because energy is universal, feng shui is rendered neutral; it supports everyone, each with their own unique set of life goals and aspirations.

That being said, feng shui does require two things of us:

1) That we understand how different types of energy affect us so we can surround ourselves with energy that boosts us up physically and emotionally

2) That we train ourselves to be very positive thinkers.

In doing these two things, we work toward the ultimate goal of fang shui, which is to significantly increase our chances of being successful in all areas of our life---something that is unique to each of us, and which may or may not include spiritual aspirations.

This brings me to the crux of why I am writing this article. My customer's dilemma stemmed from whether or not to use fang shui; that in some way this would "go against God's will" and diminish the dialogue that she had with God through prayer.

In my opinion there is no conflict between feng shui and our spiritual practices. In fact, I believe that there is a strong synergy between feng shui and spirituality, and prayer is probably one of the most powerful forms of thinking positively. By putting positive intentions for ourselves and others out into the universe for God to hear, we activate all the laws of quantum physics, which state that where we purposely focus our thoughts, we energetically set into motion a whole slew of actions and events that help us to manifest our deepest, fondest desires. Many say that God's love is the force that connects us all to each other; interestingly enough, in feng shui they say that "chi" or healthy, uplifting and joyous energy is what connects us all. Both statements ring true for me.

- Kathy Keh is the owner of Feng Shui Sarasota, located at 2135 Siesta Drive.