Energy is everything in feng shui. This Chinese form of geomancy stresses room arrangement, building placement, and even burying the dead to best align with natural energies. Part of such placements relies on the command position. Maybe you’ve heard of it before, but what exactly is the commanding position? And how does feng shui say that it can benefit you? Keep reading to learn more about this intriguing element of a centuries-old art form.
How Qi Flows Within a Space
Feng shui is based on the idea that invisible energy flows through all of existence. This energy, known as qi, must move in a balanced fashion. You don’t want it too slow or too fast. Qi tends to rush when traveling in straight lines. That’s why you see a big emphasis on curved lines in feng shui — qi moves at just the right speed.
You also don’t want to be directly in qi’s path, especially if that path is a straight line. Consider that “feng shui” translates as “wind-water” from the original Chinese, so qi flows like both. In feng shui terms, being right in line with the door means you’ll get smacked with qi. Think of it like 50 MPH winds or water from a firehose — except it’s right in your face.
Safe and Secure in the Command Position
Architect and feng shui expert Anjie Cho explains how the commanding position works in a Mind Body Green article by Sarah Regan. It’s when you can see the door from your spot in the room without being in direct line with it. Cosmically speaking, you won’t get slapped with fast-moving qi. But you can also see who comes in and goes out of the room.
Seeing the door is just one reason the commanding position is critical. You also need to feel safe and secure in the room you occupy. Ideally, this means your back faces a wall or you’re in a “kitty-corner” position diagonally from the room’s entryway.
Placing Objects and Furniture
In a piece for The Spruce, Cho adds that certain objects in each room represent you and vital aspects of your life — your bed, desk, or stove, for instance. This is logical, considering that you either physically occupy these items or the close spaces they’re in while using them. The most important objects and furniture can vary by room. In the living room, for instance, you’d place your sofa in the commanding position.
When situating furniture and objects, you’ll also want to consider a few other vital details. For one, the commanding position is never in front of a window. That’s because windows are naturally more fragile thanks to the glass inside. They’re also portals, with the transparent glass allowing visibility inside. Having your back to a window is almost as bad as having your back to a door — you’re more vulnerable and you can’t see what’s coming up behind you.
While the commanding position is important in every room, it’s especially crucial in your bedroom. Expert Cathy Wong mentions in a Verywell Mind piece that you should never place your bed directly in line with a door. This is nicknamed “the coffin position” for a reason: It’s how we traditionally carry the dead out of a room in most cultures. Meanwhile, a bed under the window may undermine one’s feeling of security. There’s also the problem of qi coming in through the window. It can be disruptive, like water spraying onto your face from the outside.
Harmonizing With Natural Energy Flow
Feng shui defines the commanding position as the place where you feel the strongest and most secure inside your space. Placing your bed, desk, stove, seating, and other furniture in this position is advisable. This helps you take advantage of qi instead of qi taking advantage of you.
