While people have different views on and uses for this age-old art, I understand it as the manner in which a building is sited or designed
where a tree is planted or a wall built to prevent those wily Oriental devils from getting inside and causing havoc. Practitioners say it’s an ancient philosophy in which the chi (or “life energy”) and everyday common sense unite to help us live in harmony with our natural environment. Asian house buyers take it seriously indeed. If you notice an empty house or vacant lot in a predominantly Chinese neighborhood, you can bet the frng shui didn’t pan out.
Practitioners teach its principles for both personal and property¬related uses. Among them is Henry Dorst (604-731-1061), who characterizes this ancient art of geomancy as “energy conditions which support a happy, healthy, creative state of vitality and balance.”
While Edward Gutierrez, the Chinese-Portuguese owner of Artistic Arts and Crafts (107 East Pender Street, Chinatown, 604-682-7118), isn’t a feng shui master, he incorporates its ideals of harmony and balance into his business. He sells jewelry gold and jade, the latter from Burma. But you’ll also find a fine collection of Buddhist statues (from obese Chinese to ascetic-esoteric Indian), healing stones, and crystals, all ofwhich relate to energy in its positive forms, says the gentle-mannered Gutierrez. If the vibes are right (take care with this), you might quietly approach him about a Chinese reading.
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