West Meets East

West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Comfort Zones

Staying in our Comfort Zone is another way to create blockages. Feng Shui is more than the Art of Placement. Its meaning encompasses the whole of our lives. I have never found another subject whose theories pull together everything that has been important to me. What other theory offers a complete combination of “how to” live more comfortably in the modern world by using ancient methods? We all have days when nothing seems to be going as it should, even if we have followed all the suggestions and rules from the latest and greatest book or seminar. My email is filled with weekend workshop events which are guaranteed to fix my life. From diets to real-estate or gadgets which can change your life, I personally have found Feng Shui my best friend to solve problems or blockages, seen and unseen.

The greatest thing about using this ancient technique is you don’t have to believe in Feng Shui for it to work! I have heard Master Lin Yun, Grandmaster teacher and leader of the Black Sect Tibetan Linage, say this many times in class and I have found this to be true. It doesn’t matter which form of Feng Shui you use to remove blockages from the environment, your physical body, or your personal spiritual beliefs. He goes on to say it doesn’t matter what religion you practice, these theories are Universal and can be used to create world peace, although this Earth was formed with the dual energies of Yin and Yang, male/female, light/dark, good/bad, etc. So there may always be some wars, but we must do everything to bring balance and harmony to ourselves, our homes, our communities, our countries and the world. So, using Feng Shui on our homes and businesses not only brings abundance in the form of success but of a larger picture, the abundance of spirit.

How do we start? Begin by getting out of your Comfort Zone. I could give you a lot of flip answers, which you have heard a million times, but please humor me with this idea. Get a piece of paper and pencil and follow along. List all nine Aspects of your life starting with:

1. FAMILY 2.WEALTH 3. REPUTATION 4. PARTNERSHIP 5. HEALTH 6. CHILDREN AND CREATIVITY 7. HELPFUL PEOPLE AND TRAVEL 8.CAREER 9. KNOWLEDGE

Now after each Aspect list the good and bad of each category. Here are some examples:

1. FAMILY: Everyone comes home at night (good); no one talks to each other (bad).

2. WEALTH: Money is good (good); but I only have enough to pay the bills (bad).

3. REPUTATION: I just got an award at work (good); I’m fearful someone is gossiping about me (bad).

4. PARTNERSHIP: I love my partner (good); I can’t seem to keep a long relationship (bad).

5. HEALTH: I have always been healthy (good); now the whole family seems to be sick (bad);

6. CHILDREN AND CREATIVITY: My children are happy and safe (good); my child is acting out and I never have time for hobbies (bad).

7. HELPFUL PEOPLE AND TRAVEL: I have people who take care of things which leaves me free to travel for fun and work (good); it seems I have to do everything myself (bad).

8. CAREER: I have the job of my dreams, it changes as I change and gets more exciting (good); I hate my job, it is making me sick (bad).

9. KNOWLEDGE: I love to learn and find time to continue learning (good); no one respects my credentials or gives me credit or respect at home and on the job (bad)

Words are powerful, and the written word is timeless. Energy from your hand goes into the paper and fills time and space. Now look at each word, sentence and statement. Feel the difference in the “good” statements, then the “bad” ones. As you read the “bad” ones, the Chi or energy falls. Your reactions to these words are feelings of resentment, regret, anger or sadness. Now circle the most important one, which could be from any of the categories. This is the blockage which will give you clues to all the other “bad” blockages of WEALTH, PARTNERSHIP, CHILDREN, HEALTH, etc.

If you are not familiar with the Bagua, or eight-sided octagonal shape used in Feng Shui, go to my website www.fengshuiartistry.com and find one. Now visually lay this “imprint” over your home or floor plan of your home. Now you can see how each Aspect reflects and joins up with the rooms of your house. Example: FAMILY GUA OR ASPECT: everyone comes home but no one talks or communicates. As a consultant, I would first check to see if you have a split-level house; next I would see if you have nice new up-growing plants in the home, or worn out old plants which need tossing. Please quit trying to save that Christmas plant from 20 years ago that your Grandmother sent you! I’m sure she would agree with finding a “new life” with a new plant that was healthy. FAMILY is associated with the Element Wood. When Wood becomes old and stagnant its action is “dying and decay.”

Using the color green in this room would be a nice start. If this room is saturated in the color white, the action is that of a Metal axe “cutting” at Family communication. Try adding pictures of the Family, including those with whom you want to establish a better relationship, using green frame mats, pictures of green forests, bamboo or herbal images. For the tri-level staircase, join the levels together by winding green vines (real or silk) up the staircases, inviting the Chi upward to the next floor, thus bringing Family together one floor at a time.

Move out of your Comfort Zone and find the “bad” parts of your life. You don’t have to know the Universal Laws of Energy to use Feng Shui. Just add light, sound, greenery, de-clutter in those target areas and they will fix themselves. You don’t have to believe in Feng Shui for it to work.

If you would like “cures and corrections” for other areas of your home or business, call for a phone consultation. This is an easy, less expensive way to find out why your life isn’t flowing as easily as it could. I can be reached at (360) 424-1501.

Join us for a lifetime experience in China with James Jay, September 21, 2009. The tour is filling up quickly! Email me at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com for details!

Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called the Puget Sound in Washington State and is an experienced Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art, private mentoring for serious student, lectures, does book illustrations, art demonstrations for Daniel Smiths Art Supplies and writes a weekly newspaper column for the Benicia Herald in California and other publications. Call (360) 424-1501 for her availability for speaking, teaching and consultations in the U.S. and abroad, or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.com. Visit her websites: www.fengshuiartistry.com to view her special Feng Shui artwork designed especially for cures and corrections and enhancements of the 5 Elements (some for sale) and www.moongateschool.com for West Meets East archives.

Please consult your physician for physical problems as this article only gives ideas and suggestions. Caroline is not responsible for anyone using these suggested plants or advice for cures or healing any problem either medical or Feng Shui claims. This column and article is for entertainment only. Please seek help from a qualified physician, naturopath, herbalist or other certified person for treatment.

Note: Caroline Patrick BorNei (pronounced Bornay) is Caroline's Chinese name give to her by her Master Teacher His Holiness Grandmaster Lin Yin.