joe-and-crew-2.jpg  Feng shui – literally translated as wind and water, is an ancient Chinese scientific practice based on configuring a room to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it.”

That’s how one definition online puts it, anyway.

I have no idea if feng shui is “scientific” or not, but I’m a big believer in giving myself any edge I can get.

When I made my office here in the Texas Hill Country where I sit today, I added many little mystical things, from a cleaning device my Zero Limits coauthor Dr. Hew Len gave me, to specially engraved metal plates called yantras, to blessed malas from friends such as Debbie Ford, to a machine from India that softly chants mystical prayers in the background, to a little device called a “ghost buster” for removing negative energy, to pictures of the Hindu wealth goddess called Lakshmi, to the elephant protector Ganesh, and more.

I can’t tell you if any of it helps me in a measurable way, but I can assure you none of it hurts me.

I say if it makes you feel better, then add the candle or blessed rock or magic symbol and let the placebo effect do its magic.

Besides, what if it actually works?

So I’m pretty open minded about feng shui and any other science or magic that may help me achieve my goals.

But when my friend Victoria Schaefer said she wanted to film a television episode for Feng Shui Your Way about feng shui-ing an office in my office, I felt fear.

She said they wanted to film in a “celebrity” home.

I guess she couldn’t find a celebrity, so she asked me.

But I wasn’t very eager to say yes.

I imagined her feng shui expert, Leigh Kubin, wanting me to tear down a wall or put up huge mirrors or just moving my stuff out of reach.

No way.

This office is my scared place.

And it’s my stuff.

But Victoria assured me the tips I would hear would be subtle yet powerful.

And I needed to do it because my office is my sacred space.

Besides, it was free.

I finally agreed, thinking I would just put everything in my office back the way it was after they left.

They filmed the show yesterday. It took several hours, mostly because of technical set-up with lighting and such. The actual feng shui consultation was quick and easy.

I learned my “fame” corner is straight ahead from the door, where I currently have a guitar hanging.

I learned my “relationships” corner is where I needed a world map, to symbolize the people I want to reach.

I learned my intentions were dated and already achieved, and needed to be updated, put in written form, and placed in my “prosperity” corner.

I learned I needed new drapes over the windows, and a runner (small rug) in the door, all to keep me “out of the mouth of chi”.

We did all of that.

And more.

The difference was dramatic.

Not only is the office lighter, less cluttered, and more appealing to the eye, but it feels more calm yet powerful.

The entire office transformation was filmed, of course. You’ll be able to see the entire show, for free, in a few weeks.

joe-and-crew-wide.jpg

But let’s make this apply to you right now. Here’s something to get you thinking about feng shui-ing your own office:

Go to the entrance of your office and stand looking in, as if you are about to walk into the room. From there note the following:

* Straight ahead of you, across the room from where you are standing, is your “fame” corner. You’ll want fire, candles, lights and maybe animals there. Don’t put a mirror there.

* Straight ahead of you and to your right, in that far right corner, is your “romance and love” corner. You’ll want pink or red things there, as well as crystals. Don’t put a cactus there.

* Straight ahead of you but on your left, in that far left corner, is your “prosperity” area. You’ll want wood, plants, treasures there. Don’t put bills there.

* As you still stand in your doorway, the corner to your immediate left is your “wisdom” area. Books, spiritual stuff, go there. Don’t put alcohol there.

* On your right, in that right corner, is your “helpful people and travel” area.  Silver boxes, electronics, angel symbols, go there. Don’t put toiletries there.

* In the very center of the room is your “health” area. Pottery, comforts, yellow things go there. Don’t put wood there.

I’m not making any of this up, and there’s far more to it.

Watch the TV show when it airs — don’t worry, I’ll remind you 🙂  — (see the PS below).

If you want to feel better as you work, and possibly increase your ability to achieve your goals more easily, consider feng shui-ing your office.

What could it hurt?

Ao Akua,

Joe
www.mrfire.com

PS — Feng Shui Your Way can be viewed at www.onnetworks.com/videos/feng-shui-your-way/calling-all-helpful-people That is one of the episodes. You can click through the site to see more episodes and information about OnNetworks. If you Google Feng Shui Your Way you can find the most recent mentions of it in the national business publications. The “celebrity homes” episode I’m in should air in two weeks or less. Stay tuned.

22 Comments

  1. Lydia-Reply
    October 7, 2007 at 10:15 am

    Feng Shui is working for me.Since placing a glass star in the fame section of my living room, I have received many contacts. This is a great change from a few weeks ago. I will change my office today! Thank you for all you have done to help and encourage. It is greatly appreciated.
    Lydia

  2. Mary-Reply
    October 7, 2007 at 10:59 am

    :grin::grin::grin:
    I really, really, really enjoy you and all that you share! I will do some re-arranging. You are the Chihuly of your own kingdom. It’s fun, playing with energy.
    Much good fortune, Mary

  3. Beth-Reply
    October 7, 2007 at 11:10 am

    Great article! I’ve always liked the idea of Feng-Shui, yet never understood how to pull it off as an apartment dweller. My office space is within my living room, and I’ve actually got 2 different doors on either side of me. I’ve no idea which one to ‘measure’ from! 😳

    P.S. – Would love to hear more that ‘ghostbuster’ device sometime!

  4. Mare Pollnow-Reply
    October 7, 2007 at 11:21 am

    😆 Joe,
    Aren’t all your Saints confused?? Between the Hindu chants, and the malas. LOL I, myself love Ganesh, and Shiva. I carry them with me everywhere. Thanks for the cool post.
    Marie-Samadhi

  5. October 7, 2007 at 11:45 am

    Yep, I didn’t give feng shui much attention until it was featured in the Secret. So It’s pretty interesting that you’re getting it, too! This sounds lively!

  6. October 7, 2007 at 1:25 pm

    Hello Joe,

    And I have to say THANK YOU! for this blog….

    In my humble opinion, I would have to say that Feng Shui is just as important to ones life as what you vibrate…. IN FACT…. It seriously affects WHAT you vibrate….

    At the risk of sounding like a nut job…..It can make you or break you….!!!:shock:

    I am working on a project, based on my life experience and a great part of it actually deals with FENG SHUI. In using my diaries, to make certain connections, I discovered that where I lived (and I have lived in the U.S., Spain and Norway), How my house or apartment was positioned, How my front door was positioned, How the house was laid out…and what conditions I lived in(house cluttered or neat), had an MAJOR impact on my accomplishments, or lack thereof at the time….

    The last two years of my life have ESPECIALLY been affected by this..

    Even though I could crank out 30 pages about this in one sitting, I am going to leave it there but.

    In short…. Its like the LOA, its ALWAYS working… Either for you or against you….

    I would love to share some of my experiences with it you if you are interested in the story…. Send me an email and I will gladly share it with you….And the rest of your readers..

    Love, Light and MANY MANY Blessings and much continued success….(See you in Maui!:smile:

    Aymee

    I know I have rambled on… However, my point is that

  7. October 7, 2007 at 2:37 pm

    hey joe, how about a poll or an article about ho’oponopono results…? i’m really curious about results or happiness or god surprises that people who are not your direct friends are getting. i don’t think you’re not sincere in what you’re doing.
    but having a real feedback would be useful. for you also.
    thank you.

  8. October 7, 2007 at 2:57 pm

    Joe,
    I had a 6th Generation Feng Shui Master (George Yao) visit my office a few months ago. The changes were very dramatic.

    He prescribed several superstitious cures, such as sculptures (fortune frogs, lions, dragons, etc), plants(zamia) , amethyst geode crystals, etc. What can I say? Well, since I’ve followed his recommendations, it seems like all my negotiations go my way, and I’ve succeeded beyond my (normal & high) expectations….

    Some were big changes: such as getting rid of photos of fall scenes (shows dying leaves & trees) dying my leather chairs red for more “fire”, but the change has been most evident.

    If anyone is wondering: “Is Feng Shui worth it?” I say Heck YES!

    David Rachford, CPA

  9. October 7, 2007 at 3:03 pm

    Feng Shui your office and change your life! Realize that you probably spend a lot of time in your office, so making changes can affect you powerfully.

    A few additional comments:
    Blue is good in an office as it is calming yet encourages thinking.
    Get rid of clutter and organize the rest! This is key, as clutter causes stress and/or stagnation.
    Put flowers on your desk in far right corner or far right corner of room to find love or strengthen a relationship.
    To manifest change in your life, place an object that represents change you would like to see. For example, if you are looking for love, put a pair of candles in far right corner and feel what it’s like to fall in love.
    Author of award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet.

  10. October 7, 2007 at 3:52 pm

    My Feng Shui guru is Kelly Talbot – http://www.kellytalbot.com She comes over and “tweaks” my house – usually nothing drastic. But serious results. DK-M

  11. Gladys-Reply
    October 7, 2007 at 5:14 pm

    Hi Joe, is nice to read what you write, thanks so much. I have been using Feng Shui
    since two years and I believe it really works, I have used in my husband office in Venezuela, we used: Aquarius, plants, Chinese letters, etc., since that every thing in the business is better. I use it in my house in Atlanta and I think is very helpful. So thanks for share this with us,
    Sincerely,
    Gladys.

  12. October 7, 2007 at 11:57 pm

    Nice one Mr. Joe,
    Since you’re into the energy of spaces, you should take a look at Vashtu Sashtra. Its older than Feng Shui and works wonders.

  13. October 8, 2007 at 1:49 am

    Hi Joe
    As a Feng Shui consultant it is so very inspiring to read this story. So simple, so effectful and so very powerful.
    I believe that we affect our space as well as our space affects us – we are the creators and have the power to choose the light, and we also have the ability to manifest Gods light in our surroundings and make them support us in creating a positive attitude and everything we really want in life.
    To me Feng shui is about healing ourselves through creating a positive environment, and I am so very sure that it works, and that one day soon, science will prove what happens, when we shift the energy using the Feng Shui wisdom. Just think about quantum physics and that matter and energy is the same.
    have a wonder ful day 😆
    Love and light, Joy, Denmark

  14. Mysti-Reply
    October 8, 2007 at 7:51 am

    Hi Joe,

    I love and appreciate the time you put into sharing your life with us. I felt the dramatic effects of Feng shui before I ever knew what it was so that’s why I know it works. I had job burnout bad. My desk was always cluttered and I always felt disorganized. I finally gave up and decided I need a career and life change. So I gave my employer my notice because I decided to move out of state. At the start of my last week there, I took everything off my desk and every picture and miscellaneous momento off the wall my desk faced. Half way through that week I realized that my thoughts were much more clear and organized. I was truly amazed and figured out that it had to do with all that clutter. It was another 5 years before I was to hear of the magic Feng Shui. Thanks for sharing the office tips. I can’t wait to see the video.

  15. Eugene-Reply
    October 8, 2007 at 2:33 pm

    “configuring a room to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it.” “…my office is my sacred space…” Did you ever notice that there is only one Spirit that calls Himself Holy? And no other spirit ever dares to impersonate Him, even though many will impersonate Jesus or claim that they are God Himself? So if the spirits that you are paying attention to are not holy, what are they, and what is their goal for you? Why have anything to do with unholy spirits, especially when the Holy one wants to give you far more, and it’s ALL good? Would you like to fill a glass with pure water, add even a drop of sewage or poison, and drink it?

  16. October 8, 2007 at 6:50 pm

    Great article Joe! I’ve always felt that everything in one’s environment contributes to the ideas and beliefs that form in your mind. I’m a very visual person so my focus
    at home, office and my business (www.toucanframe.com) has been toward keeping success reminders everywhere. Thank you for expanding my thinking. I’m going to
    use what I have now, plus more rearranged in a more Feng Shui way.

  17. October 17, 2007 at 4:23 pm

    Has anyone been Fizomed? I have found a great alternative that I personally believe reflects the true roots of feng shui. It’s called Fizom (www.Fizom.com). The founder used to design sets, lighting, and clothing for theater and film in NYC and mixed that with her intense feng shui, and vasdu (indian version of Feng shui) training – to create what she calls Fizom. Which is probably best explained as a modern american feng shui that really supports your inner world with your outer world. I’ve had my home and office Fizomed many times and it has resulted in near $100,000 in new business and just a better life style and greater focus. I recommend all go check her out. http://www.Fizom.com She promises to help you write the “script” of what you want in your life and then together you will design the setting to support it.

  18. Adam-Reply
    December 11, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    So, can you tell me or direct me to someone who can tell me…

    If I fall into the Kan trigram, is there a specific trigram(s) that are more beneficial for me to seek out in a relationship to help ensure a better long term relationship?

  19. January 28, 2008 at 9:58 am

    hi i.m an architect & like know more than now about feng shui
    so if i can Cooperator with you,re pleas
    thanks alot

  20. Darquise-Reply
    February 4, 2008 at 10:09 am

    😥 I love feng shui…and Joe…just wish I could meet you both and have you in my house together ….you would make a great change in my life at this presious time in my life…I am celebrating 25 years of mariage and it seems that there is something missing in my life …could Feng Shui or Joe do anything for me?

  21. February 8, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    I just started Feng Shui-ing myself. Getting ready to move and am going to start fresh…can’t wait to see if it makes any difference or not!

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