Gaming in Harmony: Feng Shui Tips for PC Gaming Rooms

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PC gaming and feng shui are not words that you see too often in the same sentence. As a gamer, perhaps you are familiar with the practice of feng shui in creating a balanced, harmonious gaming room setup? Or maybe you are more into a chaotic and messy style of pc gaming setup? Whatever your gaming setup, chances are you aim for the best performance possible in your gaming. What if we told you that by following some of the concepts of feng shui, you may be able to maximize the flow of energy in your room, and improve your gaming, as well as other aspects of your life? If this sounds good, then read on, we will explain the essential concepts of feng shui, and how you can use it to create a better gaming computer setup.

What is feng shui?

In western countries, feng shui is a term that is mostly banded around in relation to interior design or the correct placement of furniture. In common with other Chinese philosophical terms and concepts, such as Zen (Chan), the diverse practices that constitute feng shui are often misunderstood, over-mystified, or even lost in translation.

First, let’s find out what feng shui really is! Feng shui (風水) literally means wind-water. In practical terms, feng shui is the philosophy that the elements of wind and water can be channeled to direct the flow of energy in rooms, buildings and towns in order to bring harmony and good fortune. This energy, or qi (氣), is the vital cosmic energy that practitioners believe sustains all life.

Your internal energy, and consequently, your good fortune, directly benefit from managing your environment to optimize the energy. By aligning your external environment according to the cosmological, astronomical, and astrological rules of feng shui, harmony and balance will be achieved. This will maximize the energy flow, and result in good fortune.

What are the essential concepts of Feng Shui?

Before we harness the awesome power of this ancient Chinese tradition to set up your PC gaming room, let’s dig a little deeper and discover five of the essential concepts behind feng shui. 

1. Qi (氣）

We touched on qi above, but with no equivalent in western science or religion, it can be a rather tricky concept to grasp. A central tenet of Chinese traditional medicine, Daoism, martial arts, and many other fields of traditional Chinese culture, qi is the vital energy that permeates everything. In the context of a feng shui room, the retention and dissipation of qi inside a space affects the occupants. Different objects affect the flow of qi in different ways, with positive qi moving in curved lines, while negative qi travels straight. By maximizing positive qi, health and prosperity of the occupants will follow.

2. Yin Yang (陰陽)

Another concept originating in ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang is now available to help with your feng shui room layout! As the well-known symbol illustrates, yin and yang are opposite, interconnected forces. In relation to feng shui, the force of yin is defined by darkness, cold, and softness, symbolizing femininity, night and the moon. Yang is defined by brightness, heat and hardness, symbolizing masculinity and the sun. Obviously different rooms require different balances of yin and yang. Your feng shui desktop may need the yang energy of the sun, and a wooden tabletop, coupled with the yin energy of a water feature. Balance of these two complementary forces can create harmony inside and out.

3. The five elements (五行） 

The five elements (wuxing) of fire, water, wood, metal, and earth is a philosophical concept applied to a wide array of traditional Chinese practices. The wuxing are the essential elements of the universe, overcoming and succeeding each other in an endless cycle. As with the other concepts in our brief discussion, the significance and application of the five elements varies somewhat between different practices. In relation to feng shui, the wuxing can be used to control energy flow, creating balance and harmony in a space. Each of the five elements are associated with various aspects of nature, all interacting according to cycles of interaction that are either generative, or destructive. This interaction can be influenced by arranging the energy flow to create an optimal space. The five elements all have corresponding colors and materials, which can be applied to decoration and furnishing in order to optimize the energy flow.

4. Bagua (八卦）

Following the concepts discussed above, we arrive at the bagua, the eight trigrams of Daoist cosmology. These broken (yin) and unbroken (yang) lines are commonly referred to as the eight trigrams. In the contemporary western application of feng shui, these eight trigrams are used as a feng shui (bagua) map to arrange interior and exterior spaces. A bagua map is a somewhat simplified approach to feng shui, where each of the eight trigrams represent a crucial aspect of human existence. The bagua can be used to identify energy flow and blockages in a space, which can then be altered accordingly, by repositioning, removing or adding items. In this manner, optimal energy can flow to each of the corresponding trigrams, resulting in a harmonious existence. Here’s a beginner’s guide worth checking out.      

5. The command position (furniture placement)

If you’re still reading, congratulations, now we get to the more practical part of our discussion! The command position, not unlike a command center is the place where you are in control of your space. Let’s consider the command position in relation to setting up your gaming room. Start by situating your desk diagonally from the door, with a clear, uninterrupted view. That way, you will be able to control who enters and interrupts your gaming. A solid wall behind you, ideally with no window directly above will further add to the sense of security, as will an equal space on either side of your desk. In terms of your seat, get the best gaming chair you can afford, with a solid, supportive back, and headrest. 

How to use feng shui to help set up your gaming computer?

Setting up your gaming computer should be an exciting, well planned exercise. Again, most of us don’t have perfect, open plan spaces to furnish as we wish, but don’t worry, feng shui is flexible. Try to adapt some of the elements discussed above, even small changes can have big impacts on a space.

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water.” 

• Many gaming rooms lack yang energy, so investing in a wooden table, or even a few house plants and or some red, orange or yellow objects might be a good start!
• Let the light in! Although you don’t want too much light in the room as it may interfere with your screen display, light can help to optimize the energy in your space. Using natural, or balanced artificial lighting will enhance the flow of qi in your gaming room, ensuring that you perform at your utmost.
• Next, set up your gaming computer according to the command position, ideally in a separate space from where you sleep. By balancing the five elements, you will be able to maximize the flow of qi, which in turn inspire you to perform at your best.
• Don’t fall into the gamer’s trap of black metal and dark toned plastic furnishings! For a guide to harnessing the power of feng shui using objects and colors, check out this article.
• If you’ve got trash or clutter on your desk, clear it off! A clean, well organized space maximizes energy flow. Keep your gaming area dedicated to the art of gaming and free of distractions.
• Cables and wires should also be concealed if possible, and organized, so as not to disrupt energy flow. Get your duster out and keep the dust off your desk and your computer: a clean, well organized and maintained will help with your gaming performance.

The takeaway

We hope that you’ve gained some insight into feng shui from reading this article. Whatever your gaming setup looks like, chances are that a few alterations, adapted to your personal preferences could benefit you greatly. Applying the principles of feng shui to your gaming setup can contribute to a harmonious environment. By optimizing the energy flow in your personal space, you will not only enhance your daily gaming experience, but also your life as a whole. Try it!