The command position is one of the positioning concepts that is highly sought after by feng shui enthusiasts.
Sometimes known as the armchair position, it is an orientation theory that is associated with form school feng shui and has little connotations with compass school feng shui.
This means that it applies no matter what the facing, directional sector, or elemental make up of the space where it is set up.
In short, the command position describes a layout configuration that enables a person to rest, whether sitting in a chair or lying down in bed, in a powerful positions with the energies working for the person rather than against.
The most common reason for homeowners to seek out, identify or create command positions is for the placement of sofas in the living room or positioning beds in the bedroom.
However, even though the two are the most common reasons for assuming a command position, it can also be applied for for others things such as symbols and feng shui wealth items like the wealth vase and gods of wealth.
To identify or setup a command position at home, it must meet several conditions.
1) Open space on both sides
Whether it’s a bed frame or a sofa set, the placement of it in the living space must be configured to have open spaces on both side of the furniture.
This means that the left or right side of a workstation for example cannot be positioned against the wall.
When a wall is on the left, it is metaphorically labelled as the dragon running into a wall (青龍撞壁). This is with reference to the 4 celestial creatures where the dragon sits on the left. And understandably, when the right side immediately meets a wall, it’s known as the tiger running into a wall (白虎撞壁).
There is a requirement for both side to have open spaces in order for a position to be deemed as a command position.
When there is the lack of space on the left, it can be generally be said that there will be a lack of good luck. And when it occurs on the right, one will be unable to retain good luck.
2) Backing support
Having backing support is one of the most frequently mentioned rules of furniture placement.
The lack of a backing or (even worse) having the back exposed is a very vulnerable resting position to take up no matter where you are.
When a sofa seat for example does not have it’s back against a solid wall, it is said to take up a “floating” position. This also applies when there is indeed a wall behind but the wall is fitted with mirrors.
In the absence of wall, partition screens or tall cabinets can be used to act as the “wall”.
The stronger and sturdier looking the backing appears, the better support from the elements the command position would receive.
This is why feng shui practitioners often recommend that residents install head boards to their beds when they have a weak bazi composition and/or constantly being victimized by the actions of others.
3) Open spaces in front
The facing palace in feng shui describes the presence of open space in front.
The idea is that open spaces allow positive energy and sheng chi to congregate. Having it in front of us would enable us to tap onto it to enhance our luck.
When you consider the opposite of this factor being directly facing a wall, you should be able to easily comprehend why this is a layout configuration is one to be desired.
Should this space have a favorable water star, then the proper setup of the command position would enable the homeowner to efficiently tap on the auspicious energy which the star brings.
4) No other comparable positions in the space
If you are the department head of the office, would you feel like the boss if a supervisor has an office as big as yours? Is it even right to have this occur in the work premises?
The command position should be… exactly what it sound like. The position with undisputed authority.
This is why there cannot be another comparable command position in the space concerned.
The notion is that as long as there is a linger of doubt regarding a command position’s status, then it is not one.
5) Not in line with doors
The command position will of course, not be exposed to structural forms of sha chi.
In modern homes, we often find that open spaces where the bed or desk might be placed are right in line with bedroom doors or other pillars.
Pillars and doors cut like a knife right into any spaces in line with them.
This why any areas where we rest like the seating arrangement of dining tables and beds should avoid these “lines” as much as possible,
Failing which, inhabitants will not be able to reap the benefits of any positive feng shui. Or even worse, be subject to injuries and prone to health ailments.
6) Not under a beam
The sitting or sleeping under a beam ailment is one of the most well-known feng shui problems.
An ideal command position should cause a person to be resting under a beam.
It can cause the same types of problems with exposure to pillars and doors,
Command positions are not always possible
It must be noted that while we always want to set up command positions at home and work as much as possible, the layout of the space might make it impossible.
But also keep in mind that the criteria listed above describe an ideal command position.
If you are able to set one up which is unable to meet a criteria or two, then it will still be better than nothing.
Even if your phone does not have the best processing chip, you’d still rather have one than going through the day without one.
So don’t fret if the conditions don’t allow you to setup a perfect command position.
Just do what you can with what you’ve got.
