Taoist Influence in Feng Shui

Taoist Influence in Feng Shui

Taoist Influence in Feng Shui

When asked, most people associate Feng Shui with the words “balance and harmony”. But few realize that these concepts stem from the philosophical or religious tradition of Taoism.

Taoism tries to create harmony with the natural world. The common translation is “the way” or “the path”, but literally the Tao means “nature”, as in “the nature of all things”.

Feng Shui was developed by ancient people who were influenced by the concepts of Taoism.

Some of the concepts of Taoism are:

♦ Observe Nature – Much can be learned from the patterns of the universe and human behaviour by observing the natural world

♦ Dynamic Balance – There is an inherent dynamic balance in nature. Man has the responsibility to harmonize and maintain this balance. The tai chi or yin / yang symbol represents this natural balance.

♦ Continuous cycles – change is inherent; nothing remains static – and changes follow a natural sequence of cycles such as seasons, day / night, birth / death, etc. This is also indicated in the yin / yang symbol

♦ Harmonious action and non-action (Wu-wei) – A give and take of nature happens spontaneously. Wu-wei is “doing without doing” or “doing effortlessly”. Allow the natural course of nature undisturbed.

♦ No Resistance – Since there is no resistance in nature