Exploring Bedroom and Workplace Design Preferences RESEARCH STUDY – Participate

I’m diving deep into the intersection between our inner worlds and the physical spaces we inhabit. I’m inviting you to be part of my PhD research journey by filling out a survey Exploring Bedroom and Workplace Design Preferences.
We spend two-thirds of our lives in these spaces — so understanding their impact can transform our sleep, productivity, and overall well-being.
Link: https://ljmu.questionpro.eu/bedroom-workplace

At the end of the survey, you’ll find a set of questions that take a deeper look into your relationship with your environment. It’s a reflection journey as much as a research one.

How long does it take? 15-25 minutes — a perfect pause to tune into your relationship with your space.
Link: https://ljmu.questionpro.eu/bedroom-workplace

If this resonates with you, I’d be so grateful for your participation — and if you could share it with others or anyone you think might find this meaningful, that would be amazing!

Thank you so much for your support.
Together, we can uncover how our spaces can uplift our lives and genuinely help design better living and working environments that nurture our well-being.
Warm wishes,
Jan

We Are All Feng Shui Researchers: Feng Shui Practitioners and Enthusiasts as Contributors to the Body of Feng Shui Knowledge and Wisdom

We Are All Feng Shui Researchers: Feng Shui Practitioners and Enthusiasts as Contributors to the Body of Feng Shui Knowledge and Wisdom

We, as feng shui practitioners and enthusiasts alike, are all, in essence, researchers and contributors to the growing body of feng shui knowledge. Every observation, every adjustment, and every lived experience shared by individuals practising feng shui brings us collectively closer to understanding the universal truths that underpin this ancient practice. By engaging with feng shui, practitioners contribute to an evolving dialogue, ensuring that the knowledge and wisdom of feng shui continue to be relevant, dynamic, and rooted in the experiences of those who live it every day.

The Journey of Feng Shui Research: Expanding Understanding and Connection
This journey of research is not merely about validation but also about expanding the discourse. Through the synthesis of traditional feng shui wisdom and contemporary academic methods, we can uncover new layers of understanding about how our surroundings affect us. The commitment to fostering growth, inclusivity, and connection within the community and advancing research is a critical part of feng shui’s mission — ensuring that the practice of feng shui evolves in a way that is credible, enriching, and profoundly impactful for all.

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Feng Shui Research: Advancing an Ancient Discipline with Science

Feng Shui Research: Advancing an Ancient Discipline with Science

The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, which harmonises individuals with their environments, is gaining renewed academic attention. Contemporary feng shui researchers, including Jan Cisek, are increasingly exploring feng shui’s principles through scientific methodologies, progressing this art and philosophy into a more evidence-based discipline. In his lecture, “Feng Shui Research: Advancing an Ancient Discipline with Science,” Cisek highlights the interdisciplinary studies, particularly within environmental psychology, that are reshaping feng shui to meet the demands of modern living. This new evidence-based approach bridges traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific inquiry, reinforcing feng shui’s relevance in today’s urban and architectural practices.

21 September 2024, Zoom, 13:15 FREE – watch this presentation below

If you want to participate in Jan’s PhD feng shui research click here

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What is Feng Shui? Art, Philosophy, or Science?

What is feng shui? In short, feng shui is art and philosophy. It’s not science (yet). Read on to understand why feng shui is not science based on the current understanding of feng shui and science. Feng shui has many common definitions of what it is about and how it works. Read the definitions of feng shui
This essay categorises feng shui as philosophy and why it is not science, although some people make that claim incorrectly. Read: Is feng shui a science?

Let’s start with philosophy…

In philosophy, there are both guiding principles and considerable freedom. While creativity and the development of new concepts are encouraged, there are certain “rules” or norms that philosophers generally follow to ensure rigorous and coherent argumentation. Here’s a breakdown:

  1. Clarity and Precision: Philosophers strive to express their ideas clearly and precisely. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings or weaken an argument, so philosophers often spend considerable time defining their terms and concepts.
  2. Logical Consistency: One of the fundamental principles in philosophy is the requirement for logical consistency. A philosophical argument should not contain contradictions. If an argument is inconsistent, it is typically considered invalid.
  3. Rational Argumentation: Philosophers build and evaluate arguments based on reason. This involves providing evidence, reasoning through premises, and drawing conclusions that logically follow from the premises. Rational argumentation also requires the willingness to critically examine one’s own beliefs and the arguments of others.
  4. Engagement with Existing Thought: While new ideas are welcomed, these ideas are often developed in conversation with existing philosophical thought. This means that philosophers usually engage with past thinkers, addressing their ideas, critiques, and arguments. It’s part of a broader tradition where new concepts are often responses to previous philosophical work.
  5. Coherence: Beyond logical consistency, coherence in the broader sense is valued. Philosophical theories are expected to hang together in a way that is internally consistent and resonates with our broader experiences and intuitions about the world.
  6. Open-Mindedness and Intellectual Humility: Good philosophy involves being open to critique and willing to revise one’s position in light of new evidence or better arguments. Philosophers aim to be open-minded, critically examining all sides of an issue.

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Summary of The Meaning of Things: Domestic Symbols and the Self by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Eugene Rochberg-Halton

The Meaning of Things: Domestic Symbols and the Self by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Eugene Rochberg-Halton is an insightful exploration into the significance of material possessions in contemporary urban life. The authors delve into how people derive meaning from their domestic environments and how these environments reflect and shape the self.

Key Themes and Concepts

  • Material Possessions and Meaning: The book examines the role of household objects in shaping personal identity and meaning. Csikszentmihalyi and Rochberg-Halton conducted a survey of eighty families in Chicago to understand their emotional and symbolic connections to everyday objects. This study highlights how objects can be valued for their utility or for the emotional and contemplative meanings they hold.
  • Self and Objects: The authors argue that the self is deeply intertwined with the objects one interacts with. Objects can serve as extensions of the self, influencing one’s status and mental state. They propose that the self is not only aware of its existence but also capable of directing its actions toward specific purposes, with self-awareness and self-control being central to this process.
  • Cultivation of Meaning: The book discusses how meaning is cultivated through interactions with the material world. This involves creating and engaging with objects in ways that reflect personal and collective values. For example, family heirlooms can represent stability and continuity across generations, while also fostering emotional bonds.
  • Crisis of Materialism: Csikszentmihalyi and Rochberg-Halton address the contemporary crisis of environmental and material exploitation. They suggest that the human capacity for creating and redirecting meaning is crucial for addressing these challenges. By fostering a deeper understanding of the symbolic and emotional roles of objects, individuals can navigate the complexities of modern materialism.

Conclusion
“The Meaning of Things” offers a comprehensive look at how domestic objects contribute to the construction of self and meaning in urban life. It combines theoretical insights with empirical research, providing a nuanced perspective on the interplay between material culture and personal identity. This book is particularly relevant for scholars and readers interested in psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology, as it provides a thought-provoking analysis of the symbolic significance of everyday objects.

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