Vastu - Indian Feng Shui, 5p

Vastu – Indian Feng Shui Collected from: various researches and studies.

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“Vastu is the result of thousands of years of research and development, observing that one thing makes you ill and another does not.”- Laurie Baker, British architect.

Why is it that we can’t wait to escape some places while others seduce us to stay? Vastu Shastra, India’s counterpart to Feng Shui, has the answer. Vastu believes that when we mould our environment in alignment with universal energies it moulds us into blissful beings. Conversely, residents risk disease, debt and disharmony if surrounded by sick elements. Vastu holds the key to opening a building’s positive energy

and locking out negative energy. This ancient science promotes a positive living environment by giving easy and effective tips for site selection, room orientation, décor, landscaping and rituals to attract peace and prosperity into a building. Based firmly in science rather than superstition, Vastu assesses five main factors when designing a property. It considers the sun’s influence, the earth’s magnetic field, wind force, gravitational pull and celestial forces. A Vastu architect or sthapati combines a synergy of engineering, mathematics, art, astrology and astronomy to create a perfectly balanced building. The building is also designed with awareness of the nine directions and the five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. This energised form then becomes a conduit for surrounding forces allowing inhabitants to thrive in the aura of its divine protection just as a baby is nourished in a healthy womb. Vastu’s sacred effect is apparent in buildings following its guidelines such as the Vatican, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Taj Mahal and Tirupati, the world’s richest temple. The Perfect Plot



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The ideal land according to Vastu has the following features:

• Landscape - Rich soil free from chemicals, pests and hard rock such as granite.

• Slope - Land is elevated in the south and west with a decline in the north or east.

• Land Shape - Rectangular or square with 90-degree angles, preferably no cut corners.

• Projection - If there is a projection in the land it should be in the north or east.

• Water - Best in the north, east or north-east (ruled by the water element.)

• Orientation - Facing north, east or north-east is considered best.

• Main road - Ideal in the north, east or north-east.

• Tall elements - Taller buildings or walls on surrounding properties and the land itself can be in the south or west.

• Door - A main entrance in the north or east is recommended.

• Neighboring buildings - Prefer a place with considerate neighbours.

• Avoid a building near a cemetery, church, police station or power tower.

Room Plan Well-designed rooms evoke the mood for which they are created. Vastu bedrooms feel relaxing, kitchens fire creativity, dining rooms feed the appetite, living rooms are social, studies centre the mind and receptions are warm and

welcoming. Rooms are designated according to their direction and the respective demigod influencing it. Suggestions for the best floor plan are as follows:

• A sloping roof rather than flat for better drainage and energy flow.

• A level extension can be in the north or east.

• Stairs in the south-west. • Vertical extension in the south

or west



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• More windows in the north and east than in other directions.

• The entrance can be uncluttered, bright and clean with soft plants.

• The living room can have electronic equipment in the south-east, heavy furniture in the south-west and pleasant pictures or windows in the north and east.

• A shrine in the north-east of a room or house attracts auspicious blessings.

• Bright colours and pictures of enticing food or flowers in the dining room will promote digestion.

• The main bedroom can be upstairs or in the south-west. Bed heads may face any direction except north as this draws circulation to the head and disturbs sleep. Lying near electrical outlets or an open window can disturb your energy.

• The kitchen is the stomach of the home hence it’s best situated in the south-east which governs fire. The sink can go in the north-east, the cooker in the south-east and storage in the south-west.

• In the bathroom, keeping the toilet seat down and the door closed will protect the house from negative energy (and

foul odours!) The shower and bath are best in the north-east, the sink and cupboard in the west and electrical appliances in the south-east.

• Keeping the garden path clear and free from old material ensures the resident’s receptiveness to growth and abundance. Beneficial plants in Vastu include banana, bael, coconut, culinary herbs, fig, frangipani, gardenia, holy basil, jasmine, mango and neem.

Décor An ambience in tune with natural laws is influenced by many factors including people, structure, space, smells, sounds, colours and textures. Sensual input influences our physical and mental reality in an immediate and unconscious way. Interior decorating reflects the unique essence of its inhabitants. While avoiding energy blocking clutter, flavour surroundings with things that feed your senses. This should include luxurious textures, harmonious colours and inspiring artwork. Art depicting sad, dark or violent scenes are said to attract misfortune. Prefer beautiful and inspiring pieces. A simple rule for furniture placement is to put heavy items in the south-west (governed by the earth element) and electrical



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equipment in the south-east (ruled by fire.) Using certain colours enhances the room’s energy. According to Vastu reds and oranges promote appetite in the kitchen and dining area, blue enhances water in the bathroom, yellow boosts concentration in the study, earthy colours calm in the living room, white enlightens one in the meditation area and pastels sedate in a bedroom or treatment room. Happy House Karma We all yearn for a secure and nurturing sanctuary, as poet Rumi said, “all language is a longing for home.” Vastu’s guidelines for one’s living space and lifestyle emphasise that how we live in a home is just as important as the home we live in. Inhabitants with good qualities such as kindness, honesty and generosity emanate pure energy wherever they are. Whereas a destructive person radiates havoc even in a perfectly designed home. Hence our external environment is always secondary to our internal state. As Mother Teresa advised “we must make our homes centers of compassion.” May true wisdom help us to become one with our environment rather than at odds with it. Element balancing chart

The following will harmonise your environmental elements. Ether- Play uplifting music, sing, avoid disturbing noises, keep some clear space. Air- Burn scents, allow ventilation, use a negative ioniser, keep indoor plants Fire- Let the morning sun in, install a fireplace, introduce some bright colours Water- Place a fountain in the north-east of a room, address rising damp or plumbing problems. Earth- Check building’s foundations are firm, use earthy materials such as wood and stone, decorate with earth tones in the south-west. Breathing building The spirit of a site is embodied by a human form called the Vastu Purusha which offers a mandala for the building’s blueprint. Within this model, each direction is associated with a Hindu god, planet and attribute. Armed with a compass it is then easy to determine the ideal area for each room, fittings and furnishings. Since the building is considered a living organism Vastu advises that the best building materials are organic, durable and sustainable such as recycled timber, rammed earth or stone. Ceremonies for the foundation laying and house warming performed by a vedic priest are observed to assure the



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building’s residents a fortunate future. Vastu Spas A Spa with a serene and soothing ambience enhances the therapeutic effect immeasurably. If you have a Spa business, Vastu can be used to optimise the healing energy, staff harmony and business success. Try the following tips and the results will speak for themselves. - Do a daily space cleansing ritual by offering incense, a flame, water, fruit and a flower in the north-east corner. - Keep the entrance well lit, clear and decorated with flowering plants. - The waiting room can have comfortable chairs, relaxing music, light reading, purified water and be close to a bathroom. - The consulting room is ideally located in the west or north-west of the building. - The consultant can face west with the patient facing east. - Keep the clinic clean, well-ventilated, mood lit and with a subtle natural scent. - A fountain in the north-east corner will enhance prosperity. - Avoid harsh lighting, chemical cleaners and sharp edges projecting towards the client. - A treatment table should not have the client’s head pointing north. South is ideal.

- Display a therapist’s qualifications on the east wall. - Therapeutic goods can be kept in the northern region of the centre. - Store money in the north wall, governed by Kubera, the god of wealth. - Clinics on noisy roads or by roundabouts tend to have a frenetic energy. - Spas at dead ends may suffer from stagnant energy and a slow income.

Vastu - Indian Feng Shui, 5p

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