“Positive or negative energy is exchanged like a fair trade, the more you give, the more you receive.” ~ Master Jin Kwon

Every space holds energy. Even though you can’t see it, you’ve probably sensed it. When you enter sacred places be it temples, monasteries or meditation centers, we experience a state of calmness and peace.

Simple reason is the positive intent, the constant cleansing of energy by using bells, chants, hymns, and even smudging. Smudging is an ancient practice used for healing and energy clearing.

The simple rule energy follows is, ‘like attracts like’. Our thoughts, feelings, intentions are voluntarily transfusing energy – positive thoughts attract positive energy and negative ones attract energy.

Our house is an integral part of the space. We consciously and unconsciously create both permanent & temporary energy patterns.

Feng Shui professes, whether positive or negative, gradually energy begins to clog and congest all around the house depending on the way we move around. This stagnant energy becomes directly proportional to our thoughts.

Let’s say if we had an argument with a family member and it has left both the parties with anger, stress, depression and guilt for the words said were not the best ones. What happens to energy here?

Dr. Maya Angelou believed in the power of words, she said, “They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs and your upholstery and your clothes. And finally, they are into you.” This is how energy works and affects the dwellers.

While such and many more circumstances are inevitable, we can still clear the negative energy using different cleansing techniques. To clear out old and make way for new, we would need: some time, small tools which are easily available and a conscious intention to get rid of the negativity.

Detect negativity

The energy debris can be a result of negative emotions, thoughts, occurrences, and stress that you have experienced in your space. But how to determine which place requires more attention and when to cleanse your house of the negative energy?

If certain areas feel colder than the others, it indicates negativity. Also, the corners are hiding places for the blocked energy, working on these places would be favorable.

Areas behind the bed, couch, fixed chairs, and cupboards etc. where heavy furniture is placed are home to such kind of energy.

Other indicators are if there is a lack of communication among the members, constant arguments, criticism in attitude, death or illness in the house or even when you move into a new house. Lastly, if your gut feeling says, any particular place requires cleansing, then you must.

Tool & ingredients needed: Sea salt/rock salt (preferably), flowers, incense, bells or Tibetan bowls, candles etc.

Cleaning the clutter

In order to create momentum and improve the energy, one needs to clean the house of all the unnecessary objects that have not been used for more than 2 years, are expired or just falls under the tag of useless, as per Feng Shui. When we clear the clutter, we are doing two things. One, we physically cleanse and secondly we are spiritually getting rid of the negative, stale and unwanted energy.

Another thing to do is, after every few months or maximum 6 months, move or rearrange the big pieces of furniture. When rearranging is not possible, simply moving them for over 12 hours, so that energy patterns break for good, will be helpful too.

Once moved, we can sweep first, pat the pillows, cushions, and clear the cloth mountain. Later on, sprinkle salt over the area. Salt is one of purest elements in the earth and it’s believed that no negative energy can stick to it. When it comes in contact with negative vibrations it neutralizes them.

Spreading light in the house

This is a slightly longer version of removing negativity and requires movement around the house a couple of times. It involves elements of earth, fire, water and sound. We would move around the house and stay for longer time where a sense of heavy energy is felt. Just be in focus and trust your intuition while performing this easy procedure.

Starting from the front gate is ideal. First offer prayers & thanks, start with a positive affirmation & intention of removing away all the negative energy in order to bring in vibrant, healthy energy. Lighting the candle/incense stick, saying a prayer and burning sandalwood incense or dried sage at the start enables one to ignite positivity.



Salt:

Now fill a bowl with salt (rock/table/sea) and start by sprinkling it in the corners of every room or area where you feel energy is heavy and stuck.

Salt can be sprinkled on cloth worn by diseased, or on the bed and couch if you feel the need. You are the best judge at the moment and follow your inner voice.

Clap:

Using the element of sound, we will both recognize and remove pessimistic energy. Start again continuously clapping and go around the whole house. When we clap, we break the energy patterns, this is the reason why we clap when we are chanting hymns, bhajans and prayers.

If the clap is crisp and light, it is positive and if the clap is heavy and sluggish, it indicates negativity. Continue to clap for a certain amount of time to steer clear the negative elements.

Bells/Chimes:

We would again use the sound element by using bells, chimes or Tibetan bowls, to break the patterns. Sound is a strong method to create peace and harmony. If needed, stay at a place longer when you feel energy is heavy and stale.

Mantras/prayers:

An affirmation, prayer and mantra which soothe the mind can be chanted in every room. Simply walk in a room, say/chant/pray and feel the positivity seeping into the house. You can play an audio recording of any prayer anytime during the day. The sound of the mantra will rinse the negativity out of the house. You can also choose Gayatri Mantra for its powerful incantation and effect.

Natural fragrances:

Infusing fresh aroma of the flowers, essential oils and incense is another great way to expel and evacuate the house of negativity. In Hindu culture, at the time of sunset, lighting the candle/incense sticks at the entrance is an invitation to positivity, because sunset is the time for union of day and night.

When we invite people to our house, be aware of the kind of energy they scatter around. If negativity is felt, make sure to cleanse the house after they are gone. Feng Shui, Vastu and are other sciences have suggested multiple remedies to fix or cleanse specific areas in the house. Follow these simple steps or call an expert for cleaning the house, depending upon the situation persisting in the house.

Image Source

Salt

Incense

Purification

Smudging