Home Office Design: Feng Shui Tips

featured today on Streeteasy.com

Your home office represents an important area in your home.  In feng shui, this area symbolizes your career, wealth and how you nourish yourself in the world.  Below are some simple ways for you to incorporate a few changes in your home office to support your career and wealth.

Desk location

The first thing to look at is where your desk is located in relation to the room’s door.  I often see clients with their desk facing the wall, leaving their backs to the door.  These are major feng shui no-nos.  Ideally, you should face your desk so you can see the door, while not in line with directly the door.  The most auspicious position is a desk placed diagonally from the door.  The desired orientation, called the “command” position,  is when you are facing the door and the expanse of the room.  It means that you are in command of your life, your career, and can see what the universe has in store for you.  The best opportunities will be available to you and you will be able to see them coming.  This position minimizes stress and allows the best flow of energy while working.

If space is at a premium in your home and you cannot face the door, set up a mirror so that while sitting at your desk you can still easily see the door in the reflection.  Small concave mirrors found in automobile shops are excellent for this job.

Create a separate space

Speaking of space, I understand many of us do not have an entire room for office space in our homes.  If you do not have a dedicated room for your office, do your best to separate your desk within the space it is in.  Some ways you can do this are with a freestanding bookcase or a room divider, or even with a fabric panel or drape.  This is especially important in a bedroom or living room, or you may have difficulty focusing while working, and disengaging when not working.  Visual boundaries are very important in keeping your work and play times balanced.  At the very least, you can get a beautiful piece of fabric or scarf and cover your desk when office hours are closed!

What are you facing?

What are you facing when you are sitting at your desk?  Are you staring a brick wall?  Are you looking out at your view?  In the feng shui world, we encourage you to face into the room with a good view of the door, while not right in line with the door.  As I mentioned earlier, this position puts you in “command” of your life and career.  If this is not possible and you must face a wall, there are a few ways to improve this situation.  You can put a mirror on the wall behind the desk.  Rather than looking a wall that represents a block in your forward movement, the mirror will expand your view and allow you to move ahead in your career.  You could also put an inspirational image, an image with depth, or even a vision board.  A vision board is simply a collage of words and images of where you see yourself in the future.  The idea is, if you can see it, you can have it!  And of course, don’t forget the mirror to see the door.

This also brings up the question of having your desk face a window and outdoor view.  In my experience, although it’s nice to face a view, it’s not the best position for someone who wants to advance his or her career.  Your energy goes out the window and does not stay with your work.  Instead, why not have the window to your side so that it’s available for you to view when you want to take a break.  But it’s not distracting you from achieving your career and wealth goals.

Desk Clutter

I also encourage you to look at your desk clutter.  The purpose is to pinpoint any problem areas you may have regarding career and wealth.  Where does your clutter tend to accumulate on your desk?  While sitting at your desk, look at the furthest left corner, the furthest middle/top, and the furthest right corner of your desk.  Is there a place that you always pile up your paperwork that you plan to get to “one day”?  Is there a stack of magazines you’re hoping to go through?  Is there a specific area you stash all the mail you haven’t opened yet?  Clutter on the top left corner may represent stagnation in your cash flow and money.  The middle top symbolizes how people are viewing you, which is your fame and reputation. Maybe you need more visibility and/or recognition.  The furthest right corner is the relationship area.  This may indicate the need to cultivate new and existing relationships.  It’s time for some lunch with people you haven’t seen in months, to just see how they are doing, and get the energy flowing.  What is the clutter, and what does it symbolize to you in the area of the desk it’s in?

If it’s cluttered everywhere, well you’re in trouble! Just to be clear, clutter is not always negative, as long as it doesn’t hinder your life or cause guilt and distress. But it may be a problem if it does hurt and prevent you from achieving your goals, keeping you “stuck”.   Please do not be too hard on yourself if you do have clutter, take it step by step.  I suggest you start with 9 minutes a day.  Take a timer and just do 9 minutes of clutter clearing, and then feel good about it!

by Anjie Cho

---

Visit the Holistic Spaces Store

Yantras as Feng Shui Adjustments

Almost 9 years ago, I started my spiritual journey.  At that time I started taking yoga and meditation classes.  During one of those classes, I was introduced to the yantra.  Since then, it's been the most personal and meaningful form of meditation practice for me.  

On the right is the first yantra I encountered. This yantra is called the the Chinnamasta yantra.  Chinnamasta is a Hindu goddess who chopped off her head.  I later found out it was quite appropriate to be drawn to this particular yantra, not because I wanted to chop off my head, but because this form of meditation practice truly resonated with me.  The act of cutting off one’s head actually represents cutting off your five senses so as to attune your intuition (your sixth sense) and reaching enlightenment.

While creating a yantra, I can truly sit still and concentrate.  Everything falls away and time disappears.

CHINNAMASTA YANTRA

TARA YANTRA

So, what is a yantra?

Yantra is a Sanskrit word, yam  “means supporting or holding the essence of an object or concept…[and tra means] liberation from bondage.”[1]  Yantra is a tool for centering and meditation.  “As a tool, yantra meditation is used to withdraw consciousness from the outer world, so as to help the student go beyond the normal framework of mind.”[2] 

A yantra is a physical manifestation of a mantra from Vedic tradition. They are a type of prescribed mandala because the colors, shapes, and proportions have been pre-determined.  Each yantra always consists of the same colors, even closely matching the tone and shade of each color is significant.  For Instance, just above is the Tara yantra.  Tara yantras always look the same.  The design around the yantra is my own, but the actual yantra requires no artistic decision-making.In the process of creating a yantra, you start at the center, and then expand to draw a circle.  Then you draw clockwise, from the outside in, until you reach the center again.  You chant the associated mantra as you circumbulate the yantra.  The movement and chanting is a clockwise tightening to build a powerful talisman.

You can see that yantras use a balance of shapes and colors, so they form balanced and harmonious chi.  They have all have the bhupur, the circle, and the shapes and colors of at least a couple different elements.  Also, as I just explained, when a yantra is created it is imbued with the intention and energy of the mantra, and the deity and energy that has been prescribed to it.  The following are three examples.

G A N E S H A    Y A N T R A

My yantra teachers have taught me to always start with Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.  Ganesha is the god that represents the beginning of things.  The associated mantra is:

Om gang ganapataye namaha

The colors and shapes represent the wood production cycle.  We start with the green wood, then red fire, and then the center with the yellow earth.  Because Ganesha is ideal when starting new things, I relate this yantra to the Zhen/New beginnings gua (area of the Bagua, the Feng Shui Map), and the element of wood. 

Ganesha also had his head cut off by his father Shiva, while protecting his mother Parvati.  Similar to Chinnamasta, Ganesha became enlightened when his head was cut off, and he was able to see that he was the same as his mother and father.  Therefore resolving family issues.  Which again brings us back to Zhen. 

As a feng shui adjustment, the Ganesha yantra may be placed in the Zhen area of your home, office or bedroom for assistance in starting new endeavors or family issues. 

The Venus yantra was the first yantra that I painted.  The associated mantra is:

Om Shum Shukraya Namah

In Hindu, the planet Venus is feminine, having to do with relationships, love and higher love.  Venus is considered a beneficent planet and associated with the reproductive organs.  The cascading squares looks like they’re sinking, falling, it’s very womb-like.  The pale yin colors, delicate pink lotus petals and square earth shapes suggest the Kun/Relationships gua and the element of earth. The pale blue of wood and the gold and silver colors of metal offer the two elements that deplete earth.  So this yantra may harmonize an excess of earth.

V E N U S    Y A N T R A

As a feng shui adjustment, the Venus yantra may be placed in the your bedroom, since that’s the room that’s closest to you, to assist with relationships as well as self-love and self-nourishment.

M A R S    Y A N T R A

The Mars yantra depicts deep reds and pinks, with many triangles.  The associated mantra is:

Om Bhaum Bhaumaye Namah Om

Mars is a planet that is associated with masculinity, anger and war.  It’s also a planet related to instability such as of fire.  The reds and triangles are also related to fire energy and the Li/Recognition gua of the bagua.  The central upward pointed triangle represents growth, as do the more dominant red interior triangles. This suggests that an excess of fire may be transformed into a more positive and productive direction.

As a Feng Shui adjustment, the Mars yantra may be place in the Li area of your home, bedroom or office for assistance with passion.  This yantra may adjust lack of passion and fame by adding fire.  But it can also balance excessive fire, because the upward pointing triangle suggests growth in a positive direction

[1] http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm 
[2] http://www.sanatansociety.org/yoga_and_meditation/yantra_meditation.htm

note:  the images I've shared here are all yantras that I've made myself.  

by Anjie Cho

---

Visit the Holistic Spaces Store

Feature: Mavis Gewant and Yantras

Based in High Falls, NY, Mavis Gewant is celebrated as a sacred artist, mother, educator and doula.  Mavis studied the ancient techniques of yantra and silk deity painting with the late Tantric Master Shri Harish Johari, serving as his personal assistant for over twenty years. Mavis is one of the few persons in the U.S. with over two decades training in this Sacred Art who was requested to teach this knowledge by her teacher.

Having a deep commitment to supporting women during the most sacred time of their lives, becoming a mother, Mavis is a childbirth educator and doula and founder of Gentle Care Doula Service. Believing that pregnancy, birth and motherhood are a holy experience, she helps women to connect to their divine energy through sacred art and knowledge.

I had the honor of meeting Mavis during a yantra workshop a few years ago.  Yantra practice is my absolute favorite and most meaningful form of meditation.  Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with Mavis about her work, specifically with yantras.  

AC:  How would you describe a yantra to someone who wasn’t previously familiar with them?

MG:  A yantra is a geometric pattern of energy specific to deities and planets. It has been said that they are physical form of a deity, where mantra is the sound form. Yantras give a structure or pattern to energy. They are composed of geometric forms like squares and circles.  Since all cultures have these kinds of shapes, they resonate in our DNA when we see them.  Yantras are archetypal and universal.

“I think yantras are a personal prescription for healing. Whether with a deity or a planet, it is an energetic entity you are working with to heal.“

I understand yantras are prescribed, and that the proportions, colors, and symbols are important.

Yes, absolutely.  Gold is connected to the sun and representative of knowledge. Silver is related to the moon and life-giving energy. Green is cool and about balance and knowledge. Red is hot, fire and magnetic and stimulating the adrenals. Orange is magnetic, cheering, and warm. Yellow is hot, positive magnetic, and stimulating nerves and knowledge. Blue is cold, anesthetic.  Sky blue is calming to the nerves. 

Goddess yantras typically have pink or red petals. Many of the colors have to do with the color of the associated deity such as with Ganesha yantra.  For Ganesha, there's a light orange upward pointing triangle, which is related to his skin color.  The colors correlation is more obvious with planet deities.  The sun yantra colors are vibrant yellows and oranges.

What's the difference between a mandala and yantra?

Yantra is a form of mandala. Both are created within circles, and circles are about creation. When you start a yantra, you have first draw a circle. To make the square, you must again, first make a circle.

Is it better if you make your own yantra, can someone make one for you?  Or can you use a printed yantra?

It's always best if you draw your own yantra. Then you have that connection with the art and the associated deity or planet.  You have spent the time, and when you're away from it you can still invoke it within yourself.  It's also good if someone makes it for you, if they had the intention of creating it for your use. When I make them I really focus on the people I'm making them for.  It is also good to give yantras away and not always best to hold onto them. I did 40 Sri yantras, then went to India and released them into the Ganges River.  

by Anjie Cho

Mavis’ next workshop will take place June 22 at Sivananda in New York City. She teaches Sacred Painting Workshops worldwide, including a yearly retreat in Haridwar, India. It is her humble desire to help others through this transformational art form and she makes her painting a spiritual practice. Her artwork can be seen on her website:www.sacredmotherarts.com

---

Visit the Holistic Spaces Store