Senior at Moldaw Residences Uses Feng Shui to Achieve Balance and Peace

Fellow residents of Carole Stein at Moldaw Residences, an innovative senior living community in Palo Alto, recently received an enlightening demonstration of the ancient Chinese philosophical method of harmonizing human existence with the surrounding environment known as feng shui. The event was part of the “Share the Art” program Stein co-chairs on campus with residents Nancy Rossen, formerly a docent for Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center, and Rozalind Hain, a fine arts collector. Stein gave Moldaw residents a tour of her own apartment and an exclusive demonstration on how to achieve a relieving sense of balance in the home and enjoy a harmonious lifestyle in retirement. Participants enjoyed a reception immediately following.

“I believe it is important for people to develop a better understanding of this concept – feng shui,” said Stein, Moldaw’s 81-year-old resident council president. “It is not just about the way an apartment is oriented or furniture is arranged. There is a strong spiritual aspect to it, and it involves creating support that nurtures the soul through being at peace with everything around you.”

Stein described how she came to realize the importance of generating a positive energy, or qi (life force), in her home several years ago. Her interior decorator mentioned that she had established “good feng shui,” and that sparked Stein’s interest to explore the philosophy further. She discovered that she innately has kept a focus on reaching a level of balance and peace in her home and therefore in her life all along.

“Feng shui has literally helped me throughout my life, particularly through difficult and stressful times, like when my husband was seriously ill,” recalls Stein. “Home was always the place that brought me peace. It was my calming source in life, and I came to realize it was because of the way I sought balance within it.”

The Chinese term feng shui means “wind - water” and represents “invisible energy” (the wind) and “visible energy” (the water). Energy is embodied in all things, whether living or not, so if one can be in balance with all of those things in any set environment, the result is harmony. It is like a calculated formula that brings more to a home than good style; it brings good sentiments.

Regardless of whether the residents left with a firm grasp on this three-thousand-year-old Chinese system or not, Stein hopes that everyone felt more confident to open themselves up to new layouts, design and even colors in their apartments.

“For me it has been about a reminder of how small we all are in the world, and being acutely aware of our outside surroundings while seeking to be in balance with things in it,” said Stein. “Hopefully, this demonstration gave participants direction with that and encouraged them to find their own sense of freedom through following what is personally attractive to them and brings them peace.”

The resident-led “Share the Art” program at Moldaw Residences involves the senior residents opening their apartments and giving tours to fellow residents to view their own personal fine art collections. Usually two showings are scheduled per month and galleries vary from historical pieces to contemporary sculptures or paintings. This event, focused on feng shui, was meant to take the program a step further and broaden residents’ perspectives by providing insight on ways art and culture affect the atmosphere and an individual’s overall lifestyle.

“Share the Art has been such a terrific series started by the residents for the residents and gives them a great opportunity to socialize together, expound their knowledge as they learn about different cultures and develop friendships based on what they discover about each other’s tastes and backgrounds,’” said Al Zapata, executive director for Moldaw Residences. “I am thrilled with the success and popularity this program has around campus here at Moldaw and always look forward to hearing what they have coordinated next.”

ABOUT MOLDAW RESIDENCES

Moldaw Residences is an innovative senior living community located at the 8.5 acre Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, adjacent to the 130,000 square foot Oshman Family Jewish Community Center. As a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), Moldaw Residences enables older adults to age in place by providing independent living, assisted living and memory support. Opened in 2009, Moldaw Residences offers 193 maintenance free, spacious apartment homes and extensive social and cultural amenities. Affiliated with the Jewish Senior Living Group, it is open to all faiths, ethnicities, and racial background.

--Submitted by Moldaw Residences