An Introduction to Feng Shui and Bed Placement
The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui emphasizes harmonizing the flow of energy, or qi, within a space. In feng shui, the placement of furniture such as beds in relation to room entrances and pathways is an important consideration for optimizing positive energy.
One major feng shui issue that can arise is having a bed aligned directly with or facing the door. Known as the “coffin position,” this placement is considered inauspicious by many feng shui schools because it causes disruptive energy flows while sleeping. The door’s entrance forms a direct path pointing to the bed, which can create disturbances.
In this article, we will explore the dynamics of the coffin position versus a commanding bed placement. You’ll also learn easy tips to adjust a bed that faces the door, improving energy flow according to feng shui principles. By understanding these fundamentals of bed placement, you can apply feng shui to optimize the energies within your bedroom.
Negative Effects
Having your bed aligned directly with the door can disrupt the flow of qi (life force energy) as you sleep. This is because qi enters the room through the doorway and travels in a straight line to the bed.
When lying in bed, your body is placed directly in the path of this energy flow. As a result, the qi becomes stagnant and fails to circulate properly around you and throughout the space. This stagnation is believed to not only disrupt sleep, but also prevent vital energy from nourishing different parts of your body.
Over time, this misalignment can contribute to feelings of restlessness, fatigue, and even illness according to some feng shui masters. Essentially, it places you in the less-than-ideal position of blocking healthy energy patterns in the bedroom.
The Commanding Position
What does the Commanding Position involve?
The Commanding Position involves positioning your bed so that you are able to see the door without your body being in direct alignment with the doorway. Think of this as being at an angle that allows you to keep your eye on the door without compromising the flow of positive energy into the room.
Some key benefits of the Commanding Position include:
- Able to survey activity coming through the door, giving a sense of security and control and reducing anxiety or worry about unexpected guests visiting
- Helps tap into opportunity luck or good fortune by taking a commanding view while remaining out of direct alignment with potentially disruptive energy flows
- Allows you to remain firmly in command of your immediate environment, tap into confidence boosting good vibes, and avoid issues linked to doors directly pointed at bed areas
Overall, the Commanding Position helps you feel like the master of your bedroom domain while also minimizing exposure to potentially problematic energy pathways. It’s a simple and highly effective compromise for tricky bed locations.
Benefits
Rather than being alignment with the incoming qi energy flowing directly from the door, the “Commanding Position” puts you at a slight angle or above the path of the door’s energy flow. This allows the positive qi to flow freely into the room and nourish its occupants, without directly confronting or blocking the flow. By avoiding a head-on clash with the door’s energy, you remain open to welcome the vibrant qi.
Tips to Adjust the Feng Shui
There are a few options to help remedy having your bed aligned with the door, which can negatively impact the feng shui of a space.
Moving the Bed
The best solution is to move your bed so that your feet do not point directly at the door when lying in bed. Turn the bed so it is at an angle or reposition it against another wall, if possible based on the room layout. Having the ability to see the door while not being directly aligned with it puts you in the best “Commanding Position” to receive positive energy flow.
Use Furniture as a Barrier
If you cannot move the bed, placing a piece of furniture like a chair, screen divider or plant between the bed and door can help create a barrier. This breaks up the straight flow of energy from the door to the bed. Opt for solid furniture over sheer curtains when creating a barrier.
Hang a Faceted Feng Shui Crystal
Hanging a faceted crystal near the door at about eye level can help diffuse the energy flow. Choose a crystal that refracts light, such as a clear quartz crystal ball cut with facets. The dangling crystal helps break up the direct path of energy from the door to the bed.
Moving the Bed
Moving the bed is the best and most effective way to command the energy of the entire room. By shifting the bed’s placement,
you remove the direct flow of qi from the door into the bed. This allows you to find an optimal position with a clear view of
the door while not in direct alignment with it. With thoughtful bed placement, you can create a solid barrier to negative energy
while maintaining free flow of positive qi. The bed’s commanding location gives you full control to oversee the doorway and room.
Furniture Barrier
An easy alternative to moving the bed around is placing a piece of furniture as a buffer between the door and bed. This acts as a physical barrier to disrupt the direct flow of energy from the door to the bed. Positioning an item such as a dresser or bookcase perpendicular to the bed prevents qi from streaming on a straight path across the room. The solid mass of a larger piece of furniture can weaken the momentum and diffusion of energy. This option works well for renters or those with limited ability to redesign their space. Simply situate an item that you feel provides enough of an impediment based on the size and layout of your room. Monitor how you sleep and make adjustments if needed.
Faceted Crystal
A faceted feng shui crystal ball hung between the bed and door can help break up the direct flow of sha qi coming from the door. The multiple cutting surfaces on a faceted crystal reflect light in different directions. Symbolically, this helps to scatter the incoming qi energy into various paths instead of allowing it to travel straight into the bed. The sparkling effect also helps uplift the energy. Opt for a large sized crystal ball with at least 8 main facets to fully maximize this protective and transformative effect. Hang the faceted crystal ball so it can dangle and spin gently, with the bottom slightly higher than the height of the bed. This encourages the energy to dissipate and lift before flowing into the bed space behind it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having your bed aligned directly with the door where your feet point toward the entryway when lying down is considered a poor feng shui position known as the “coffin position.” This arrangement is believed to allow qi energy to flow straight from the door into your body while sleeping, causing disruption and negative effects.
To avoid the coffin position, the recommended solution is to move your bed to a new position where you can see the door while lying down without pointing your feet directly at it. This “commanding position” enables you to better control the qi entering your space for a more positive flow.
If moving the bed isn’t possible, alternative adjustments involve using a large piece of furniture like a dresser or bookcase as a barrier between the door and bed. Hanging a faceted feng shui crystal near the door is another option believed to correct negative energy pathways.
In summary, when aiming for good feng shui, it’s best not to align your bed and door in a direct line. Make adjustments to establish a commanding, protected position that gives you control over the qi flow for restful sleep.
