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The word common to both terms shen qi and sha qi is “qi.” This word is sometimes written “ch’i” and is pronounced like “chee.” While qi is often described as “energy,” we learn in deeper studies of Chinese metaphysics that qi is beyond the concept of “energy” or we can say that energy is just one type of qi. For the sake of this article, we’ll allow for the word qi to be understood as a type of life force energy which can be subjectively categorized, in order to appreciate its countless manifestations. The term “shen” implies positive, life enhancing energy or influences. The term “sha” implies an influence that could be harmful or undermining. In Feng Shui applications we are often trying to reduce sha qi and utilize shen qi. This can make the difference between being healthy and happy or not. And of course, a lot of these distinctions are common sense. As an example, we can consider a home that gets a nice balance of light, with lush landscape and no surrounding eyesores will provide a feeling of shen qi for the occupants. Clean water can be a source of shen qi. However, dirty stagnant water, like a swamp, can be a source of sha qi. Living too close to a freeway presents potential for sha qi through the proximity to noise and pollution. And still, the concepts of shen and sha qi can be subjective and changing. When an earthquake strikes, we view this as a negative occurrence in direct relation to how much damage or injury it causes to buildings and humans. And yet, an earthquake is just an act of nature. We can’t correctly call it sha qi any more than calling a thunderstorm a “bad omen.” In human experiences, we have the saying “one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor” to describe how subjective a circumstance can be. If someone’s Feng Shui indicates that their house could stir up arguments or power struggles, this could be called sha qi. But if similar energy associated with self-defense or aggression was to exist in a martial arts studio, it could attract more membership to the dojo. In other words, we can measure the appropriateness of the circumstance. Shen qi and sha qi distinctions can transcend typical Feng Shui boundaries. A slang term such as “mouth sha” implies that the words coming out of someone’s mouth can be offensive or hurtful, as with gossip or unnecessary criticism. We should all tune in to our inner qi and how we are responding to our environment. Some people will not go to a movie if they know the story line will depress them or scare them. In a larger sense we can say that sha qi contributes to physical, emotional, and spiritual stress. We can and should seek out shen qi or make adjustments to our life, home and diet to enhance the “good energy” in and around us. This will reduce our stress. Kartar Diamond is a classically trained consultant and owner of Feng Shui Solutions. Kartar's books go into greater length regarding the phenomenon of qi. Kartar advises clients world wide. For more information, go to www.FengShuiSolutions.net
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She qi, sha qi, good energy, harmful energy, Chinese metaphysics, balance, yin-yang,
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