How do westerners use feng shui?

Answer 1

the application is about aligning your environment with your intent and using physical symbols to designate and remind you and the universe of your aspirations and intent. The more practical portions, such as avoiding trip wires, clutter and oppressive environments are maintained in the western school of thought. One of the major factors is understanding where does an object fit into my life and what does it symbolize in my life. Traditional Chinese symbols may be replaced with symbols that are more westernized and suitable to the culture in which they reside.

Most westerners that use feng shui practice western feng shui which is also known by other names such as black hat feng shui or fast feng shui. This is a simplified form that uses the entrance postion to designate the traditional northern sector (career, helpful people and personal growth). This makes sense as an occidental approach of streamlining and taking a generally yang approach to the deeper, more esoteric and yin approach of the oriental tradition.

For practical puposes the application is about aligning your environment with your intent and using physical symbols to designate and remind you of your aspirations and intent, in accordance to traditional techniques. The more practical portions, such as keeping your environment free of clutter and oppressive structural features which represent the environment you find yourself in are generally retained.

As with all feng shui, one of the major factors is understanding where an object fits into your life and how it symbolizes your current reflection of the universe. Traditional Chinese symbolism may be replaced with symbols that are westernized and culturally relevant.

Ultimately the same principles exist without the layers of esoteric teaching which may or may not be relevant to the western mass consumption of feng shui.