According to scientific research, humans are known to be happiest when all of their senses are engaged. Being aware of pleasant moments will improve brain function and enrich life experiences. So let’s sharpen our feng shui tools and use our five senses to their fullest potential.
Vision
Since 70% of what we experience is perceived visually, sight is the most developed of our senses. The best way to enhance this incredibly powerful tool of experiencing our surroundings is by becoming aware of our line of sight. When entering a space, where does our gaze land? Feng shui recommends readability with clearly definable focal points. A confusing and untidy mess of things is the antithesis of what would enhance our sense of visual acuity. Looking at certain colors can elicit physical or emotional responses and therefore influence our energy level. The artwork should be uplifting and meaningful.
If you can, visualize the bagua with the eight trigrams and try to correlate each one with your inner space. See if you can identify any feng shui features that symbolically represent your hidden wishes and desires. Remember, “energy flows where attention goes.” If you feel positive about your viewing experience with a clear image in your mind, your path forward should be smooth and full of opportunity.
Audience
For a more intense listening experience, we must close our eyes and listen to the sounds of the world around us. Auditory perception is our fastest sensation, and a sudden noise can startle us into high alert mode. Feng shui suggests specific sounds to enhance the ambient setting, always tailored to individual needs. The sounds of nature are powerful tao connectors for our most basic instincts. Music can set our mood at the touch of a button, and the tick of a clock can be a reassuring signal of a steady beat. To sharpen your sense of hearing, follow the directional flow of sounds from where they first appear to where they dissipate into the distance.
Smelling
All environments and all creatures have scents, but unfortunately our olfactory experience is the most neglected of all sensory inputs. Our limbic brain holds memories of fragrances and smells that go back to the first impressions of childhood. These can be instantly revived if we are exposed to the same smell. Humans connect with each other through body odors, but are not aware of this exposure. The feng shui recommendations point to a wide range of aromas and fragrances that can affect our health and emotions and thus increase our olfactory capacity. High-quality essential oils give us many options to diffuse, ingest, or absorb beneficial extracts from nature’s bounty.
Taste
A close cousin to our sense of smell is our well-documented taste experience. We are reluctant to be an adventurous foodie and prefer to stick to the flavors of lifelong eating habits. If we listen carefully, our palate will tell us what our body needs, and we must accept the fact that our palate can be retrained to accept unusual flavors and taste enhancers.
Play
Feng shui always closely watches our tactile environment to ensure that the yin and yang are properly balanced to provide a stimulating environment versus a relaxing one. Stroking a pet’s silky soft coat can be a deeply relaxing experience. Supportive objects are powerful tools for feeling safe. A bench next to our main entrance is a sign of having reached a resting place. Soft pillows on a contoured sofa offer soothing comfort. Stepping on a bedroom rug sends a message of a relaxing atmosphere and a good night’s sleep.
For advanced techniques in sharpening our senses, we have our wide arsenal of the five elements and their multiple characteristics that can be combined with sensory enhancements to provide optimal well-being in our space.