Monday, December 27, 2010

Is Cleaning House Spiritual?

I recently was reading a book on clutter control and it listed another book as a resource. The sub-title reads "Free Yourself from Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Clutter Forever". Wow! Who knew cleaning house could be spiritual? As I checked out the cover and the table of contents of the book, I saw that it was teaching the principles of feng shui. I had a vague idea of what that was, but my first thought was, "Does it really matter how it gets done as long as you get your house clean?" As I was reading my Bible this morning, however, I read the words, "Hate evil." Not tolerate it. Not derive what good you can from it. But HATE it!

So, just what is this "new/old" way of clearing the clutter and arranging your home?

Feng Shui is based on the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy. The ancient Chinese believed that the land's energy could either make or break the kingdom, so to speak. The theories of yin and yang, as well as the five feng shui elements, are some of the basic aspects of a feng shui analysis that come from Taoism.  Source

And just what is Taoism?

Tao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. "The Tao surrounds everyone and therefore everyone must listen to find enlightenment." A believer's goal is to harmonize themselves with the Tao. The priesthood views the many gods as manifestations of the one Dao, "which could not be represented as an image or a particular thing." The concept of a personified deity is foreign to them, as is the concept of the creation of the universe. Thus, they do not pray as Christians do; there is no God to hear the prayers or to act upon them. They seek answers to life's problems through inner meditation and outer observation. Source
What promises a neat house and a whole lot of other things from a good marriage to help losing weight, is actually a false, God-denying religion. I would like my home to be neat and clean and well-arranged, but the truth is I don't want "energy" flowing through my home. I want God's presence there.


Lest you think this is another of my crazy "soapboxes", I will tell you that some time ago, my children played a game on the computer based on a popular "educational" kid's program. It went into detail on the principles of Feng Shui home arrangement. Can you tell me why a child's program would focus on home decorating? 


No one wants to talk about "religion" anymore, but a lot of people are touting the word "spiritual". Be assured that life cannot be lived in the absence of religion. Everyone is worshiping something or someone. If that object of worship is not the Lord Jesus Christ---our Creator God--than who is it? Something to ponder as you declutter and decorate your home for the New Year.

This post is linked to Raising Homemakers.

4 comments:

  1. I think I'll declutter and organize my home the old fashioned way! This kind of stuff is something I avoid with a fervor. It all sounds good, but the philosphy behind it and undertones are about good and bad energy and such. I do not believe in that stuff. I believe there is good and evil. If I want to declutter my house spiritually, I better be looking at my movies, music, picture books, religous books, children's books and seeing if they line up with scripture. Are they "true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy?" We need to be gatekeepers of our home and not allow this old world to creep into our homes. It starts with us, mothers and fathers. Sweep our homes free!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very well said. I read a book about the Amish. They do their work joyfully because it is all for God. If it is quilting or washing the floor, it still is doing God's plan joyfully.

    I will have to keep this in mind next time I am washing the floor!! LOL

    I am getting to where I am always turning off children's programing. It is terrible.

    God bless and have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Reminds me of the verse "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God!" Thanks, Amy!

    ReplyDelete