Mindfulness of Thought and Intention From The Cayce and Feng Shui Perspective
By Peggy Joy Cross A.S.I.D.
www.DesignsforHarmony.com
“The mind is the builder.” How many times have we heard and read these words from Cayce in his readings? Our minds form our thoughts, and from our thoughts come our actions, or sometimes lack thereof, and from our actions come our results – the life that we create — our work, our play, our abundance, our service, our friends; all that we perceive in the world of form.
“For mind is the builder and that which we think upon may become crimes or miracles. For thoughts are things and as their currents run through the environs of an entity’s experience these become barriers or stepping stones, dependent upon the manner in which these are laid, as it were….” Cayce Reading 906-3 Our thoughts are plantings, elements of creation. They are the seeds we sow for today, right now, for this moment that will never again exist. When we are aware of our thoughts, we understand their effect on our moods, on our feelings, on our ability to be creative and loving as we move through our day. We choose to be open or closed in our thoughts about what the universe presents to us as opportunities for guidance, learning, new experiences, service – a myriad of options which present themselves. When our minds and hearts are open, our experiences in turn generate further uplifting thoughts, an upward spiral of creation. This is a wonderful energy to offer to the universe as it will generate more of that same energy. This is the purpose of working with Feng Shui, to uplift our lives through the vibrations of our homes and ourselves, and to share this with others. “Know that the purpose for which each soul enters a material experience is that it may be as a light unto others….Cayce says in 641-6.
However, sometimes our thoughts, the seeds we sow, generate fear, a fear of lack, a fear of loss, a fear of the unknown or perhaps useless thinking about the path not taken. These negative thoughts result in a downward spiral of existence; all these various types of thoughts, of seed sowing, of mental habit planting, both uplifting and negative, are part of our human experience. Cayce said in 5459-3 “Fear is the root of most of the ills of mankind…” Our thoughts determine how we choose to perceive our world.
Our thought filled minds are the source of our intentions, and paying attention to our intentions, our purposeful thoughts and expressions, is at the foundation of the BTB (Black Tantric Buddhist) School of Feng Shui. As Cayce states succinctly in 136-37: “In the creating of thought is the creating of the idea. In the creating of desire is the creating then of action. Now combine action, combine thought, and these become a reality in the physical plane….”
As we create our intentions through our thoughts we invoke a powerful force that in BTB Feng Shui is an integral part of creating desired changes in our lives. Using our intention is a foundation for living an aware and conscious life and in BTB Feng Shui we have the benefit of working with physical reminders of our intentions. These reminders are called “object cures” and they will, if used properly, continually draw our attention to our intentions. Object cures may be located any place in our homes (or office or yard) and may relate to any aspect of our lives. They can enhance the energy of our intention around healing relationships, deepening spiritual growth, creating a new career, finding a spouse or just a date, increasing financial abundance, being of greater service, taking a vacation, understanding our life purpose, improving our health, selling a house, nurturing ourselves, expressing a creative endeavor or obtaining another university degree. These are a few possibilities.
So we choose those aspects of our lives we desire to shift, and thoughtfully create our intentions. Then we select object cures to support these intentions. These can include but are never limited to: artwork, mirrors, plants, candles, furniture, crystals, lights, wind chimes, fountains, flutes and colors. Any object in your home or office to which you ascribe a special meaning can be utilized as one of these helpful reminders. Modern schools of Feng Shui rely on the Bagua, a life map that is used in conjunction with our homes and offices, to help us see literally and metaphysically what is going on in our lives because our personal space is a reflection of our life. There are specific areas of the Bagua, called Guas, that relate to all of the foregoing possible intentions. An example is the diplomas and awards displayed as either personal reminders or public accreditation of achievements. These are perfect for placement in the Fame Gua of a home or office, the Gua or area that relates to our personal and professional reputation; it is how we are known in the community. Cayce was very particular that those with whom the A.R.E. associated in business during its formative years were of good reputation. This same gua also relates to enlightenment, the eventual destination of our life’s journey.
In BTB Feng Shui it is taught that we subconsciously choose our homes for the lessons they provide for us – what we are here on the earth plane to master during this life time. Thus we set the stage for learning and evolving in our lives by choosing to move into a particular home, or perhaps many homes. Some homes repeat a challenge for an individual and some will present a new or the next challenge. Quite common are homes that present marital challenges or opportunities to learn about financial issues. These two may be related to the manner in which the space is architecturally designed, as having a bathroom in the” Abundance” or “Marriage” Gua. Some homes create confusion by presenting choices for progress upon entering, as bi-level homes and those with three directional choices at the front door. In these examples one needs to create a definite flow of energy toward a particular destination and this can be done quite easily with rugs, furniture, or a designed focal point. People frequently do this intuitively and our intuition is honored in this feng shui school.
There are no perfect Feng Shui homes and object cures are chosen to improve the energy of designed spaces. For example, crystals are used to slow down energy that rushes too quickly through a space, from front door directly out the back door or down a long hallway. They are used to balance energy in a bedroom where there are beams, slanted or coffered ceilings, or an unfortunate bed placement. Color may be used to uplift, energize or calm the emotional balance in a given room and Cayce said in 4501-1 “…the body mentally, and the body in its nerve reaction, would respond as quickly to color forces as it would to medicinal properties….” For example, orange is energetic and is a more appropriate color to paint a family room than it is a bedroom. From Cayce’s booklet on Auras, “Orange is the color of the sun. It is vital, and a good color generally, indicating thoughtfulness and consideration of others.” Plants (but not cactus or palms) are used for welcoming energy at a home’s entrance, the “Mouth of Chi.” The use of plants is also advocated to enhance the energy in those guas supported by the energy of wood, the Family, Abundance and Fame Guas.
Some challenges we create by the way that we choose to live within our space, such as the arrangement of furniture, colors used, and prevalence of clutter. Regarding clutter in particular, in reading 956-1 Cayce says: “For when we look about ourselves, considering nature and the expressions of creative energy in same, we realize that orderliness is the great factor and great lesson to be learned by all.” Orderliness, the lack of physical clutter, is the first energetic principle to address within a home. However, all clutter is not physical and Socrates spoke to yet another kind of clutter, our schedules, saying simply: “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” Addressing both of these with awareness and intention will help the clutter in our minds.
In a quote which expresses one of Cayce’s thoughts around using our mind for an intention (1587-1), he said: “As to how to make the material success, first make it mentally.”
In Feng Shui, interest in enhancing material success would be addressed in a two-fold manner reflecting both giving and receiving. The two guas that balance this process are called the Abundance Gua and the Helpful People Gua – the help we give as well as the help that we receive. Cayce says further concerning our helpfulness: “All are in that position of being able to be used, if they will but recognize their opportunities day by day in their choices of dealings with their fellow-men….” 1992-1
In the center of the Bagua is the tai chi symbol, representing eternal change and flow, the integration of the yin and yang, the complementary balancing and integration of opposites. There is no light without the dark. There is no rigid without the yielding. Using the map, the Bagua, to consider our life, helps us to consider every part of ourselves, our inner life, our outer life, our work and purpose, our relationships, every aspect of our being. This center, the “Ming Tang”, represents health – spiritual, mental and physical health. Cayce said in 3384-2: “For all healing, mental or material, is attuning each atom of the body, each reflex of the brain forces, to the awareness of the divine that lies within each atom, each cell of the body.” The center represents unity and balance of all aspects of our lives.
In using the Bagua, all areas of our life present an opportunity for a deeper connection with the Divine. Feng Shui principles are a guide to living an intentional life of purposeful work, harmonious relationships within families and business, increased knowledge, abundance, creative fulfillment, helpfulness to others, a recognition of the oneness of life, and a deep spiritual connection to the Divine in every aspect of our of lives. This connection is at the core of Cayce’s life and teachings. “For, that we find in spirit taketh form in mind. Mind becomes the builder. The physical is the result.” 3359-1.
As we live with an enhanced awareness of Feng Shui principles – those of creating a home with attention to balance of yin and yang, a prevalence of cleanliness and orderliness, with furnishings that to us are beautiful as well as functional, we will hear the messages that our homes have for us. We will experience an increased ability to more clearly identify blocks in our path and to mitigate our challenges as we intentionally make changes on a physical level to support changes that we desire to make on a personal and spiritual level. Awareness and intentional use of Feng Shui principles in all aspects of a home or office will ensure a space of tranquility, harmony and beauty.
Cayce understood the importance of peace and harmony in our homes, saying in 1286-1: “For, as has been indicated from the innate experience as well as from the longings within, a home–home–with all its deeper, inner meanings, is a portion of the entity’s desire; to know, to experience, to have the “feel” of, to have the surroundings of that implied by the word home! Is it any wonder then that in all of thy meditation, Ohm-O-h-m-mmmmm has ever been, is ever a portion of that which raises self to the highest influence and the highest vibrations throughout its whole being that may be experienced by the entity?”
And remember, every experience is a conditional one. For choice must be made daily. Edgar Cayce Reading 2034-1
