The Future of Feng Shui

Earlier this week at Pratt’s Manhattan campus, I had the privilege of teaching a Feng Shui  & Architecture seminar to experienced architects. I started off the class asking, “What do you hope to get out of this class?” I was surprised by the answers this time. A year ago, in the same class with the same question I heard mostly variations of: “To get credits”. Now, I heard answers like this, “My clients are asking for Feng Shui” or “I want to start implementing Feng Shui into my work”. It made my heart sing. “This is going to be a good class,” I said as I slowly scanned the room and nodded. And that it was…

The group was enthusiastic and thoroughly engaged through out three hundred slides, multiple videos and hundreds of pictures. The questions were whip smart, thoughtful and intense. Mid way through, I gave a class project to implement Feng Shui into a portion of the East River waterfront that connects to the stellar, One Brooklyn Bridge Park – a residential hi-rise that I have long admired. One architect raised his hand and said, “Well, I was the architect for that building and some of the land area that connects to it, so I might have an advantage over others on this project.” I was overjoyed! “This is fantastic! How about you just continue your vision to the connecting pier and the surrounding area.” I told him. Each group had dynamic, original and creative Feng Shui filled ideas for engaging the waterfront, servicing the needs of the community and beautifying the area. The energy felt electric as peers excitedly talked to each other about their visions that incorporated elements they just learned. “My juices are flowing!” exclaimed one seasoned veteran, “Our group needs more time!”

Towards the end of the lecture, I spoke about Feng Shui in the media and then finished off with the future of Feng Shui in architecture. I spoke about corporations like General Electric and Ford and how they have tried to bring in Feng Shui for marketing their products, but, in my opinion, it failed miserably because they didn’t understand some basic concepts of this ancient art. Both corporations simply used the term as a marketing afterthought, sloppily slapped on like the jelly to a last minute sandwich after the lunchbox has closed. GE ran a magazine ad of a family eating dinner in a fully exposed, no-solid-walls-whatsoever glass house with the tag line “The Glass House. Bauhaus Mood. Feng Shui Spirit.” I explained how from a Feng Shui perspective, over time, living in a glass house would leave the occupants feeling vulnerable, easily startled, on edge and fragile. These are the exact opposites of the fundamental tenants of Feng Shui that strive to promote balance, stability and empowerment.

Meanwhile, Ford decided to proclaim their Fusion as “A Feng Shui Car” simply because it is quiet and they superimposed a Feng Shui map on it! The International Business Times called them out on it with headlines screaming “Ford’s Marketing Misfire”. I found Ford’s spokesperson’s response alarmingly apathetic, “There’s a tendency to try and find what consumers are looking for and provide them with that.” Had these titans hired me to endorse either, with the same product, I could have steered them in other effective and authentic ways to reach the more conscious minded consumers they are targeting. (Toyota, I drive a Prius V and I have some great marketing ideas for you, are you listening?)

So that brings us to the future of Feng Shui. Where are we amongst the marketing misfires and misinterpretations? As I said my goodbyes to the enthusiastic architects lined up to talk to me post lecture, I had a glimpse of the future right there with some of their parting comments, “I never realized how deeply conscious and practical it really is” and as the last architect disappeared before the door was closed, she left me sitting in a quiet room alone with this, “Wow. I’m inspired. I already know that my designs will be influenced by what I’ve learned today.” Now I’m the one who is inspired and will ardently continue to help put Feng Shui out there in fresh, practical and millennium-minded ways that uplift, empower and make sense. Thank you.