Put the OM Back Into Your Home.

My favorite quote and the mantra I try to live by is Gandhi’s “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

But there is another Ghandi quote that to me is equally poignant.  He says:

“Our contribution to the progress of the world must consist of setting our own house in order.”

As a feng shui consultant, this is music to my ears. You can take this quote as literal or figurative as you want. Either way, I can’t help but think that if we each placed our attention on our home or whatever space we take up on this Earth, how amazing our Planet could be. It would be wonderful if we could all have a perfectly feng shui-ed home with its energy perfectly harmonized with Mother Earth.

But, to me the ultimate goal of feng shui is to love your home as if it’s a sanctuary.

In doing so, you are simply loving yourself and treating yourself as the sacred temple that you are.

So here are some simple suggestions to turn your home into a sacred sanctuary. And, in doing so, it can be a beacon of light on our planet as will its occupants.

1. Decluttering. I mention decluttering first because you must get rid of the old before you can bring in the new. If you are one of the many who has gone through or wants to go through a massive purge, you are certainly not alone. Our planet is going through a major clearing and that trickles down to each and every one of us. If decluttering sounds monumental and overwhelming, then just start with one drawer. It may lead to another one and another and so on. If you are someone who declutters on a regular basis and thinks that this doesn’t apply to you, then think again! There are so many layers to our things. That which we most need to get rid of is oftentimes right under our nose. What is taking up valuable space in your life? What item(s) are preventing you from loving your home?

2. Set Up an Altar Space. Early architects truly understood sacred geometry and how to build churches and cathedrals. They built tall steeples to reach God. You can do this, too, with an altar space—except your steeple is energetic. Each time you sit down to meditate you are a steeple. This is the benefit of an altar space. It creates an energetic vortex so that each time you sit down to meditate you ‘plug-in’ quicker and deeper. Your altar space can be as simple or elaborate as you want. The most important thing is that it is a designated space for this purpose. It is best to have a centering device—whether it be a table, shelf, or cardboard box. Place objects on your altar that are sacred to you.

3. Display Power Objects.  We all have certain items that are really special to us. These are items that energize, inspire, and connect. For example, one of my power objects is a hand-made tapestry that I purchased in Peru. When I see it across from my desk it energizes me. The colors, the symbols, and the craftsmanship are inspiring. Other examples could be a love note from your beloved, a powerful crystal, a piece of pottery from your travels, or an art piece you crafted. Ideally, every item in our home should be a power object. Do an inventory of your home and notice what energizes you and what depletes you and rearrange accordingly.

4. Designate a Yoga Space.  By creating a space for doing yoga, you are creating new space for your yoga practice to deepen. Your home practice is where you begin to truly tune in to what you want your yoga practice to be. You become your own inner guru, or upaguru in Sanskrit.  Maybe you are feeling energized and do an extensive series of warrior poses and arm balances. Or perhaps you are feeling tired and need to do slow and deep hip openers on the mat. If space allows, you can arrange your yoga space and altar space in the same area of your home. If space is at a premium, then you may have to be more creative with your arrangement, but it should at least be the size of your unrolled yoga mat.

5. Space Clear.  There is an invisible world of energy in your home that you probably are not aware of. Like cell phone and radio signals, our thoughts and emotions swirl around in our spaces. But what you may not have thought about is the energy from previous owners’ emotions and traumas, your furniture’s history and stories, or even your own stuck patterns and habits. Space clearing is a term used in feng shui that refers to clearing the energy in spaces. There are many methods used for space clearing. And in some extreme cases, you may need a professional to come in. Otherwise, you should space clear your home yourself periodically. Sage smudging is the most common method. With a bundle of sage, light the tip and waft it around your space. It’s best to start around the perimeter—especially hitting the corners—and end up in the center of the room. When the smoke has cleared, you may notice the room looks crisper and feels lighter.

Tisha Morris is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, yoga instructor, and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home (Turner Publishing).  For more information, visit www.mindbodyom.com.