Transforming Your Space

Find out how you can harness positive energy from your surroundings

Mind & spirit: NST Life & Times
29/03/2010

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100329225518/Article/index_html

By CHIM LI YEN

Are you aware of how your environment affects you? When you enter some rooms, they either give you a sense of joy and comfort or make you feel like leaving as soon as you enter.

We are all affected by the environment around us. A negative environment will evoke negative feelings while a positive environment, positive feelings. We can create balance and harmony in our lives by turning our personal spaces into positive, uplifting havens.

I will share with you how you can transform your home without burning a hole in your pocket.

De-clutter
Clutter can block the flow of energy in your home. Organisational expert Peter Walsh says: "Crammed closets, jumbled drawers, overflowing bookshelves and other storage disasters not only look bad but they sap your time and energy." By clearing clutter in your home, you symbolically let go of the past and live in the present. We sometimes tend to hold on to our belongings and possessions although we don't need them anymore. Give yourself an energy boost by spring-cleaning your home and freeing yourself from unwanted items — old magazines, clothes, toys, etc.

Colour
Specific colours influence different emotions. Knowledge about the effects of colour is being applied in many hospitals today. Seriously-ill patients are placed in rooms painted in muted tones to induce calmness while patients after surgery are given brightly-coloured rooms to speed up the healing process. One can be affected by the surrounding colours so transform your life by changing the colours in your home.

Red: Dynamic energy, passion and physical strength.
Orange: Optimism, sense of community and enthusiasm.
Yellow: Activates the intellect, freedom and communication.
Green: Balance, healing and hope.
Blue: Inner peace and inspiration.
Purple: Calmness and increases intuition.
White: Purity and expansiveness.
Black: Stillness and being dormant.

Candles
For centuries, candles have been universal metaphors for life and energy. The flame ignites your inner fire or life force. You can use candles to infuse your room with warmth, light and positive vibes. Candles with different colours or scents are wonderful to create a certain atmosphere, be it romantic, relaxing or nurturing.

Fresh flowers
“Be like the flower. Radiate your beauty, your colour, your perfume. Be truly who you are." — Anonymous

We delight in flowers as their form, colour and perfume awaken our senses. Flowers have always been used to celebrate major events in our life — births, weddings, convocations, social functions, and as gifts to loved ones. Watch how the energy of your room magically transforms when you place a beautiful bouquet there. Every type of flower embody specific qualities (see list below).

Chrysanthemum: Promotes longevity and brings calmness into the home.
Orchid: Conveys love, luxury and beauty.
Rose: Opens up the heart to love.
Lily: Purity and creates a spiritual atmosphere.
Sunflower: Vibrant energy aligned with the sun.
Marigold: Associated with joy and strength.

Bells
Bells are wonderful tools for dispelling stagnant energy. The crisp, clear sound of a bell has the power to alter the energy in a room. I recommend using the Tibetan tingsha bells which are small cymbals which create two harmonically-balanced tones that ring simultaneously when struck together. The dual vibration emanated by the bells calms the mind and helps to maintain focus during meditation.

Singing Bowls
Singing bowls are metal bowls made traditionally from an alloy of five or seven different metals. By striking the rim with a mallet, a powerful tone that can purify the entire room is generated. The bowls produce a complex sound of overtones and a continuous "singing" sound when the mallet is rubbed around the rim of the bowl. The sound is deeply grounding and perfect for creating harmony and peace in the environment.

Smudging
To “smudge” means to cleanse, using the smoke from burning sacred herbs. The smoke of a smudge bundle instantly removes negative energy and brings about balance in a space. Bundles of dried herbs such as sage, cedar and sweet grass are traditionally burned by the Native American Indians to purify people, ritual and ceremonial spaces. One of the most common herbs for smudging is white sage. Known for its pungent smell, it has the potent ability to cleanse spaces and dispel stagnant energy.

Incense
Incense is used in various cultures for both religious and practical purposes. In some cultures, it is used as a medium to carry prayers to heaven. Messages to the unseen travel on the path of the smoke and blessings are received in return. However, at a practical level, incense is a very easy and effective way to aid relaxation after a busy day. Its fragrance has therapeutic qualities which can be used to prepare a space for yoga, meditation or simply to uplift the atmosphere of the room.

Essential Oils
Pure essential oils are one of nature's gifts to us. You can use them in an oil burner or combine them with spring water in a spray bottle to make your own room spray. Essential oils not only make the room smell great, they also enhance the mood of those in the room too. These precious essences are gaining acceptance worldwide for their anti-bacterial, anti-stress and comforting properties.

Be creative and experiment with the various suggestions if they appeal to you.

*The writer is co-founder of The Violet Flame Holistic Shop and Therapy Centre, Bangsar. She can be reached at info@thevioletflame.com.my or browse www.thevioletflame.com.my for further information.