Sustainable Living & Green Design

(April 2008) I’ve been practicing Feng Shui for several years and it’s been a struggle to get my family, some of my friends and acquaintances to understand what I do. But it seems that almost overnight, a new sensation has sprouted that makes it that much easier to explain. The “Green Movement” seems to have exploded in the last few months. From advertising spots and articles in magazines, to television shows and headlines on the web. Going Green is causing manufacturers to develop new product lines and corporations and city governments to rethink their policies and practices. Whatever you call it – Sustainable Living, Going Green, Eco-Friendly, Green Design – it’s a good thing!

So, what’s the connection between Feng Shui and Green Design? The connection is our “connection!” It is the awareness and consciousness that what we do has an impact not only on ourselves, but the Earth and other people. Feng Shui is about the energetic relationship we have to everything around us. It explains why we feel good in some places and feel terrible in others.

In fact, Feng Shui is the original “Green Design”. Almost every ancient culture of the world reflects some awareness of the power of our connection to the Heavens and the Earth.  Thousands of years ago, we had no choice but to live in harmony with nature. Homes were built using natural material. All that we came into contact was natural. We were able to sense the subtle energy and vibrations from the Heavens and the Earth – an art that we have mostly lost touch with.

The new Green Movement seeks to partially close that gap on a gross energy level: by better management of resources; through the use of natural, and non-toxic materials; by honoring the land and its resources through waste reduction and increased energy efficiency. And Feng Shui works very well with Going Green by closing the gap, by bringing humans back into the picture. Feng Shui addresses the environmental psychology – how the residents of the building will feel in the space and seeks to optimize health, safety, comfort and happiness.

Last week I attended Green Drinks, hosted by Canvas LI Magazine. The event was filled with an amazing array of people from all areas:  education, non profits, green product and service providers, homeowners, interior designers, publishers, environmental groups, and on and on. And what is so great about these events is that everyone is passionate and eager to share information about new products and energy systems, how to best apply products, find resources and referrals.

I recently joined the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LI Chapter and attended a seminar today on “LEED for Homes“, a series of guidelines recently developed by USGBC to build greener homes. I was heartened to see so many builders, architects and designers there, learning how they can be more competitive in the market and bring their practices to a more conscientious level.

I’ll be attending these events more often and will write about what I experience! So many people to meet, new ideas and ways to learn!