It is upto each practitioner to decide which science is more relevant in Indian context but a deep understanding of both sciences is a must for every competent practitioner. What one needs to understand here is that like Vastu Shastra there are many healing techniques developed around the world having vastly different techniques and remedies which make perfect sense in their own context only. An indiscriminate mix-and match of different techniques without any in depth knowledge can defeat the very purpose. There is no contest between Vastu Shastra and other methods like Feng Shui, this is about indiscriminate mixing of different systems. It is important to understand the basic essence of remedies for them to work.

In Feng Shui, symbols are extensively used in Feng Shui. Symbols work because they from a part of the collective consciousness or collective psyche of a class of people / a race or a nation. The symbolism is usually rich with nuances and contains multiple shades of meanings. The power of symbolism is great because so much is conveyed and communicated at a glance. It works because the power of generations of traditional / folk beliefs and religions is behind it. For instance, the dragon may be considered an auspicious animal in china but in India, it may be perceived as a ferocious fire emitting snake. Any fact, figure or statement without reference to the context can never make sense. In Indian context, whenever we state Laxmi or Kuber it automatically refers to wealth and prosperity in the Indian mindset. Same words may be meaning less is Japanese or Chinese context.

Both these Sciences have a touch of Mysticism, as they incorporate the philosophical thoughts of their respective origin. Also, the climatic conditions of the two countries favour different directional preferences. For instance, Feng Shui favours South as an entrance direction, a high rise towards North and South East for water source. Vastu, on the other hand, puts a premium on an open North, a high rise towards South and North or North East for water source.

They are certain basic differences between Vastu and Feng Shui which need understanding. Greeks, Egyptians, Christians, Jews and Muslims knew the four elements Earth, Water, Fire and Air. The fifth element, Akash or Space, was only known to the Indians. As per the Indian thought, ‘Space’ is the fundamental source and energy for all things, for their origination and for their existence.

The Chinese also believed in five elements but they were Wood, Earth, Metal, Fire and Water . All of these belong to the material field. The stress in the Chinese case was on achieving worldly success, longevity and comfort, while Vedic wisdom was the understanding that mind with its worldly desires was the cause of all suffering and transcending the body was the only way of achieving the state of ultimate bliss. Both Vastu and Feng Shui make use of objective and subjective practices. Objective practices involved furniture and building placements, topography of land and its shapes etc. The subjective practices use mind as the medium, using your thoughts, beliefs, religious convictions etc. The Chinese use twelve animals to express Zodiacal time. Indians use twelve rashis, seven planets and two nodes Rahu and Ketu. Feng Shui uses the ba-gua to relate eight directions with eight aspects of life. Vastu uses 12 Bhavas of the horoscope and their intricate relationships with planets, directions and 12 major aspects of life.