Recap of the FSIM July Event
Writing With Your Space
Michelle Skally Doilney is a Certified Master Level Feng Shui Consultant through Carole Hyder and the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui, in the tradition of HH Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun. She is also a lifelong writing student, and studies with author/teacher with Natalie Goldberg. Michelle combined her decades of feng shui and writing practice to offer a new way of working within one’s home. Presentation Summary:
Use breathwork to center your self/energy before appointments, writing practice, communication, negotiation. Breath awareness can change our moods, thinking, and focus. Breathing practice in class: align body/spine in seated position; take two deep breaths any way; align body again, taking note to hold body gently, tuck chin in and down naturally; place one hand on sternum/chest and the other on belly and notice movement only at belly; breathe through nostrils for both inhale and exhale with lips relaxed and slightly parted; focus awareness on flow of air in/out nostrils or at heart center/center of chest; take 3 breaths, inhaling to a count of 3 and exhaling to a count of 6.
Feng Shui basics include keeping only what you love and need; everything has energy – objects have stories, conscious or unconscious; your intention (around items, placement, adjustments) is key; do feng shui adjustments when full, rested, peaceful (energy going into the process and into your environment).
Talked about three universal spaces we have in our homes, whether it’s a house; dorm, apartment, or one room. Spaces are: Cooking Space (typically kitchen); Sleeping Space (typically bedroom); and Working Space (typically office or worksurface). There are practical, energetic, and structural categories in every space. Class focused on Cooking Space. Practical use is to feed yourself, household. Energetic category is “active” energy; transformation (hot/fire/stove) and preservation (cold/water/fridge). Structural is plumbing; electrical; gas – this space has more use of these building components than other spaces.
Writing practice discussion on handwriting vs. tech/computer. Conclusion is that for this work, one should write in the most natural/non-editing/linear method of writing. More guidelines: Handwriting needs fast-moving pen and any paper (no journals needed). Feel free to write worst crap ever. Do not edit, cross off, hesitate, judge or stop to think. Keep your hand moving. There is no good, no bad. Be a witness.
We did an exercise in class involving a visualization of kitchen/cooking space, then 5 minutes of writing practice. Talked about the power of both reading your writing out loud and witnessing what you wrote this way, and the power of being an active listener while others read. No criticisms, comments, expressions while/after someone reads, just move on to next person. Many people read out loud and talked about having a positive and surprising experience with this practice.
Class wrapped up with discussion, sharing how writing gave us things to think about (but no commenting on actual writing).
Michelle will be offering a longer workshop to delve deeper into this process this fall. Watch for information in the Member Classes/Workshop/Services section in a future newsletter for details.
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