Chi

Chi

Chi has a lot of meanings: the air we breathe, the earth’s magnetic field, cosmic radiation, sunlight, our spirit or even our luck. This force govern our health, welfare and happiness.

The purpose of Feng Shui is to enhance the positive aspects of Chi and to minimize the negative ones, to identify, control and direct the Chi for the benefice of the human beings.

It is a concept difficult to designating the energy or life principle that animates the world and penetrates all the events and the components visible or invisible and coordinates their activity. Chi is the essence behind all things, is the “substance” or force which contain everything and allows the expression of all that is created and merge the heavenly and earthly energy essences with the human ones.

Fritjof Capra compares the Chinese concept of Chi with the quantum field from modern physics in his book “The Tao of Physics” in this way: “As the quantum field, Chi is a invisible form of matter pervading space which and condensing to form the visible material world. The Chi and the quantum field are at once the essence of material objects and the connection between objects found as waves.”

Chi is structured on several levels. Two of them are the physical Chi, coarser and the metaphysical Chi, a more subtle essence. Chi is permanently moving and is in a constant process of transformation. The movement is quick or slow, on the surface or falling in deep, ascending or descending. It is driven by the wind (Feng) or contained in water (Shui) which flow is controlling. We can not avoid the influence of qi, we need to know how to use and direct it to where we need it.

The concept of Chi is known to other cultures too, but they are using other terms: ki in Japanese, prana for Hindus, pneuma for Greeks, Ankh for the Egyptians, Ruah in Hebrew and last but not least the manifestation of the Holy Spirit to the Christians.

In a house or room Chi must flow freely, must not be blocked or obstructed by any means and this Chi is the object of Feng Shui.