Does feng shui contradict my religion, say, if I am Catholic or Muslim?
By God, not at all, despite contradictory claims both citing Bible and Koran quotes! Feng shui is a science, not a religion. To each according to his faith - or fate? (We all even agree to call fate as destiny.) The confusion lies in whether it's the Will of God or simply the doing of humans.
In the science of feng shui, it is the will of both the heavens and man (God and humans); but add one more factor, Mother Earth! Feng shui aims to align forces for universal harmony - the chi of heaven, earth and man - any place, any time. Call it homeostasis or simply wellbeing. Feng shui is the science of human wellbeing as everyone strives to achieve their dreams and aspirations for a perfect life - to have their heaven on earth!
For Catholics, let me share a personal experience on this issue. As a former student of Center for Research and Communications (CRC) now known as the University of Asia and the Pacific (UAP), an Opus Dei educational institution, I noted feng shui design elements in its new campus in Ortigas upon its inception. Out of curiosity, I asked the spiritual director then of CRC who was also an architect. He simply smiled and nodded that, yes, the design elements were intended to harness auspiciousness. One of my professors, in his Manila Bulletin column that year entitled "Feng Shui and the Catholic," explained that Catholics should have an open attitude to design knowledge from the natural sciences like feng shui, and treat it as part of the sciences and arts of space planning and design! That's it for feng shui for Catholics, amen!
For Muslims, while the Koran bans any form of superstitions and beliefs related to the occult, like horoscopes and fortune telling, mind you, in the Philippines next to overseas local Chinese communities, the Muslims are avid feng shui followers. This is due to the acculturation and assimilation of feng shui knowledge, not superstitions, from their counterpart Chinese partners during centuries of trading in Philippine history!
My personal knowledge and learning of this matter was predicated by my being actually engaged to feng shui the Mindanao State Universtiy in Marawi City way back. Then university president, the late James Lucman, requested me to harmonize his board of regents from all seven campuses of the university. It was my pleasure to serve our Muslim brothers, even if I had to sleep overnight in an armored personnel carrier by Mr. Lucman's front yard!
Bottomline is when it comes to faith, keep the faith of your religion. But when it comes to fate, the scientific application of feng shui principles are on hand, no different from learning a computer software application or a Candy Crush game or even playing the guitar or baking a cake! And, yes, even faith bears with its traditionally respected lucky charms! What are these? Coming from a Catholic school, De La Salle University (since birth!), I was surprised while doing feng shui to a fellow La Sallite Ambassador Philippe J. feng shui at his corporate headquarters in Makati City, when he suddenly asked me, "If you are a true-blooded La Sallite, do you carry with you your Rosary?" showing me the Rosary from his pocket! Indeed, in Catholic tradition, the Holy Rosary has long been the trademark lucky charm of any well-meaning Catholic. We see it hanging from car rear view mirrors, buses too for a blessed and safe trip. Even Ninoy was praying and clutching the rosary on his last flight, while, back then, Manny Pacquiao would raise the Rosary up in the air before and after every fight, and many a man on the street wearing it as a protective pendant by his neck!
Humbly learning from the good ambassador, I write this piece with my Rosary right in my pocket! Hopefully all fellow Catholics reading this will do the same! Amen!
In my sorties in Mindanao and Muslim Manila, the most popular lucky charm our Muslim brothers wear is simple. It's the Tiger Eye beads by the wrist. Why? It being the symbol of the eye of the tiger, it is believed to scare evil away and never will any trader wearing it be had in business dealings!
So there you go; keep your faith and fate burning with harmony, peace and love to all! The future belongs to those who know where they belong! Indeed the brotherhood of men transcends the sovereignty of nations, and faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human lives! With or without feng shui.
Enjoy your God given freedom of choice - your human will. Just be responsible in using your will. Amen?