Sleeping under a window, is it 'bad feng shui'?

Assessing energy flow in homes is a huge part of what I do as a Feng Shui Practitioner, and a lot of issues come about for people due to sleep problems. It is a vicious circle where lack of sleep, or interrupted sleep becomes responsible for a lowered immune system which leads to ill health, or low level concentration which results in accidents and injuries. Then the person starts to feel that ‘things are going wrong’ and seeks out assistance. This is not to say all problems begin in the bedroom, its just that a lot of them do.

I am often asked whether it is ok to have a bed head underneath a window. A lot of modern homes have high windows in the Master Bedroom where the bed head is most appropriately positioned. Sleeping under a window has been described as inviting Yang (rushing) energy in, and it has the effect of disturbing our energy in slumber. We may also be generally disturbed by noises, drafts, smells and a general lack of secure feeling if we sleep underneath an open window. However, an open window is vastly different to a closed window with the blinds and curtains drawn! It is the energy being created that needs to be observed. And a high small window is different to a low, wide window too.

Generally, the answer is ‘no’, its not beneficial to sleep under an open window, because of the Yang energy of it. But what do you do if you cannot change the configuration of your bedroom furniture? I know that many people are aware of the ‘feng-shui cure’ of hanging a Clear Quartz crystal in the window above a bed, but I fail to see how this will reduce the Yang energy of the open window….especially when Clear Quartz is an amplifier of energy...and therefore I observe that it would amplify any energy coming through that window. One must always program the crystal to deflect the energy or absorb it, as Clear Quartz is readily programmable and highly potent for ‘consciously directing energy’. The best solution to having a window behind your bed is to have a good solid bed head. This energetically ‘supports’ you while you sleep. Or to close the window at night and pull the blind down or draw the curtains closed. This is sufficient to reduce the Yang energy of a window behind the bed head.

Yang energy of rushing Chi created by something like ceiling fans is also unbeneficial, but in our tropical climate ceiling fans are often a necessity to be able to sleep comfortably during the heat of Summer. So how do you balance out the Yang energy of a situation like this?

Creating a Yin Space for beneficial sleep
A Bedroom should give an overall Yin appeal. Yin is soft, secure, nurturing, calm, restorative, quiet, comfortable and restful. During the day a bedroom can be utilised as a quiet place to study or read or as a play-space for children, but these activities need to be able to be ‘disappeared’ come sleepy-time! To bring about good quality sleep can radically change the health and wellbeing of a whole family. Accessing restorative rest is essential for a healthy immune system and good quality concentration, and without it problems ensue and can create too many roll on effects.
In this modern lifestyle, where homes need to serve many purposes, the configuration of a bedroom can sometimes be jeopardised by the need to create a space that is a retreat from the rest of the house. This should mean that it is a Sanctuary, yet it often translates to becoming a multi-function room with items like exercise bikes, rowing machines under the bed, study desks in the corner, and TV and associated paraphernalia on top of dressing tables. A ’bolt-hole’ against the world outside, yet this is in no way good for your health or the feng-shui of your house.

When I am told “I can’t move my bedroom around” to configure it beneficially, it is generally because there is too much stuff in there that should not be in a bedroom! And, with the ’stuff’ removed, a beautiful space is revealed. There may also be a underlying need to ’do’ your own bedroom and not be told how it should be. This is a waste of energy, as the benefits from a well-configured bedroom are immense and will give back so much to you over time that it is a good exchange to give over control and accept some guidance.

For photos and diagrams to go with this article, please visit this link here... and go to page 4 of the July MiniZine file.

Next Month: “Water at my front door is lucky”, well is it?