West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

China, Tibet or the Grotto?

This morning I received an email from my friend and Feng Shui colleague, James Jay, about their latest trip to China. My mind swirled as I watched and listened to their website’s video about China. Scenes, smells and tastes of Asia filled my senses. Immediately time fell away and I drifted into the misty clouds of Jiuhuashan, streets of Hutong, The Temple of Heaven and the beautiful city of Hangzhou. I wanted to travel once more to the land of Heaven and Earth.

Suddenly the familiar music stopped and the video ended. I felt deprived, let down and sad. Let’s face it, I had a five-minute “pity party” and then clicked on my computer screen, Create Mail, and wrote, “Hi James, Will be so sad to miss your trip, but what about Tibet in 2011? I have two other people interested also,” I added. We had discussed the possibility of Tibet once before, but I wanted to put this request in writing to enhance its Chi. The action of intention through the written word is a very powerful way to make things happen. It is even more powerful if you use the area of your home called Helpful People and Travel Gua as a projection point to send a request to the Heavens. This immediate right corner of your house when entering the front door of the dwelling is also known as the Heaven section. The color is gray, a combination of the Metal Element (white) and the Water Element (black). It is a perfect corner to pray or meditate. Suddenly I heard that ding sound, which means I have mail. “Hi Caroline, our tour guides can make this happen. Will discuss this with Helen. We could go to Western China, Lijiang, etc., then on to Tibet. What are your thoughts?” Wow, my thoughts are, “Let’s go!” Lijiang is up in the mountains. It was my favorite place on the China trip with Professor Lin’s group a few years ago. Very near the Tibetan border as I remember, high in the mountains.

James and his wife Helen are experts when it comes to travel. Senior “disciples” of Grandmaster Lin Yun, also my Master Teacher of Black Sect Tibetan Feng Shui, they have successfully escorted hundreds of students to the birthplace of Feng Shui over 20 times. “China Studies” on-site program will take you to places that will change your Chi forever. This year is no exception as the island of Putuoshan is included in the itinerary for October 2010. (Give me a call for details.) Putuoshan is considered the home of Kuan Yin, the goddess of Compassion and Mercy. They say she hears the cries of all who call to her. All you have to do is ask. Her devotion to mothers and children is comparable to The Virgin Mary’s love and compassion. Many Asian countries call her by many names. To read more about Quan Yin or Kuan Yin’s qualities, Google her name.

The island is beautiful with usually beautiful weather, glorious beaches, and hundreds of temples and monasteries devoted to the Bodhisattva (Quan Yin). I originally traveled to this spiritual place in 2004. (Click on Travelogue on www.fengshuiartistry.) A huge statue in her image stands over 9 or 10 stories high. It was placed near the ocean for all to see about 15 or 16 years ago. Though the island and Kuan Yin’s ancient cave by the sea is considered one of the most spiritual places on earth, it takes many visitors’ prayers and years for an image to become holy. Crossing high seas by ferry, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel to this sanctuary for healing. The Dalai Lama has traveled to this site blessing Putuoshan’s holy Kuan Yin’s Bodhisattva massive image. Professor mentioned upon our visit, “It will take another ten years before this site is considered holy, as it takes millions of prayers to bring ling energy to a place.”

It was time to bring myself back to reality. Gathering up my purse and car keys I headed out the door to do errands. “I will go to the Grotto first,” I decided. The door to my condo/loft closed behind me, with my mind still lingering on the ancient cities of the East. I took the elevator to the main floor and opened the large swinging door leading to the parking lot of the artist community. The cool air of Portland, Oregon put a smile on my face. I love cold weather. Misty rain fell on my shoulders, which intensified my desire to see Jiuhuashan and Putuoshan once more. I intended to do errands first, but without thinking my car turned left instead of right. “I guess I am going to the Grotto first, sit in the beautiful chapel of The Virgin Mary and walk in the rain under the 400-foot cypress trees to meditate.” This internationally-renowned Catholic sanctuary and garden welcomes more than 250,000 guests each year from all faiths and all walks of life. Lush green firs tower over the walking paths. The heart of the sanctuary, Our Lady’s Grotto, is a magnificent rock cave carved into the base of a 110-foot cliff. A marble replica of Michelangelo’s famous Pietà is featured in its center. “I guess I don’t have to go completely across the world to find solitude, peace and a temple. It is only a few blocks away,” I muttered to myself.

Caroline Patrick Bor Nei is a certified Feng Shui Practitioner and a Red Ribbon Professional of The International Feng Shui Guild. Her abilities as a consultant and artist are widely known in the US and abroad. Caroline has completed over 5000 consultations for individuals, large and small businesses. Return clients appreciate the value of her suggestions both mundane and transcendental, providing support on multiple levels. As a college art instructor for many years, Caroline understands the power of color; its symbolism and the visual effect images have on individuals in their surroundings. Her home base is Portland, OR where she continues to write, teach, paint, do illustrations and give herbal medicine making classes. She is available for Feng Shui consultations; Feng Shui art consultant, advises builders, architects and mentors a few serious students.

Call (503) 208-2960 or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.com.

Any suggestions given in this column are only for entertainment. Please contact your physician for any medical or herbal advice or diagnosis. Caroline Patrick is not responsible for any misuse of her advice or suggestions.

Caroline’s “West Meets East” weekly newspaper column, can be read from an archives on her website www.fengshuiartistry.com.