The
Ming Tang
by
Alison Marks (2007 Graduate)
What are you telling the world about your life? What gifts
do you let yourself have? These questions can be answered
simply by looking at the entryway to your home or business.
This “ming tang,” or “bright palace,”
is an important power point in any defined space. The entrance
to a dwelling is considered the “mouth of chi (life
force energy),” marking a transition from the outer
world into the more private inner world. It provides a statement
about the quality of life to be found inside, and offers
an energetic pathway for opportunity to find its way in.
Since the energetic state of the entryway has a big effect
on what goes on inside, you can probably imagine that beautiful,
clean and orderly ming tangs that radiate bright, fresh
chi are considered very auspicious.
When looking at a particular entryway, pay close attention
to what is going on just inside the door. You may have noticed
that most Chinese restaurants don’t open immediately
into the main dining area; there is usually a wall or piece
of large furniture just inside that slows down the chi and
creates a sort of welcoming area. Likewise, you will probably
find that if your home shows itself slowly, rather than
all at once, there is a sense of anticipation about what
is to come. You and guests are more likely to enjoy the
experience of your home.
The experience that people have before they even reach the
door is also part of this continuum. Imagine, for example,
the feeling you might get visiting a home with a beautifully
landscaped yard, where you park your car, walk under some
blooming trees, and perhaps walk over a footbridge to reach
the porch, where a clean welcome mat greets you. Now imagine
driving around looking for parking on the city streets,
hiking up a hill with exhaust fumes coming at you, taking
an elevator ride up to the fourth floor and walking down
a dark hallway to arrive at the front door. Very different
experiences!
Even if the homes were similar on the inside, you can imagine
feeling very different at each before you even set foot
inside. This is not to say that an apartment home in the
city can’t have beautiful energy, by the way; it just
highlights the fact that each environment has its gifts
and challenges – and that the ming tang can be a major
factor in evaluating the overall energy in a home.
Here are some tips to take full advantage of this free boost
of good energy:
- Keep your entryway clean and orderly, inside and out.
Make sure the door itself is clean and well-maintained.
- Make sure that there are no obstructions to the view to
your front door from the street.
- A water feature is an especially beautiful way to invite
wealth into your space. If you can’t have an actual
fountain, artwork depicting serene water scenes (not crashing
waves or storms) can work just as well. If the water is
flowing, and only in one direction, make sure it is oriented
to flow into your home or business, not away.
- Provide a welcome mat for visitors. Keep the mat clean,
and replace it as soon as it starts to look ratty.
- A lamp on either side of the door is an especially nice
way to bring in good chi. Make sure that both lights are
in working order.
- You may want to hang a talisman at the door, some item
of personal significance to you that will bring a protective
energy. (Do not use a Chinese bagua mirror – these
can be used for specific purposes, but rarely on your front
door.)
Give your ming tang a little attention a watch good things
show up!
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