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West Meets East© By Caroline Patrick
Commentary Update on Feng Shui
The Art of Placement, or Feng Shui, was introduced to the Western world in the 1980’s. Jokes in the media followed, and twenty years later it is a household word. Feng Shui is now understood as a vital way to improve our environment. The balance of Wind and Water is not just a fad, but a 5000-year-old way of living life with less stress. Three years ago, while traveling in China, I saw the huge construction which was the beginning foundation of the 2008 Olympic stadium. Though Feng Shui is an ancient philosophy used by millions in the Asian countries, it is quietly practiced in mainland China for fear of the government’s retaliation. This ancient knowledge was used only by rulers for prosperity and riches. During our group’s (Master Lin Yun’s) visit to China where Feng Shui began, we had to keep a low profile, as the government doesn’t allow Feng Shui to be used on the mainland. In Taiwan and Hong Kong it is practiced without fear.
We as Americans are privileged to have this gift of Feng Shui and should take full advantage of this freedom. The initial misunderstanding of this art by the Western world as a religion has finally eased and we, as consultants, can get on with the business of helping people achieve better designs in their private living spaces and business needs. The email below is from an organization of which I have been a member for many years, The International Feng Shui Guild. It has a newsletter which is called the Grapevine. How lucky we are to be able to chat among colleagues and exchange ideas. As Professor Lin Yun has said many times to his United States students, “You will take Feng Shui back to China and teach them their own lost art.” He means that Feng Shui was suppressed over 70 years ago, and now the Western students will hold this sacred knowledge until the time is ready to restore peace to his birth place and hopefully to Tibet.
The emails below will give you a peek at the inside world of how those dedicated to Feng Shui continue to bring publications to the forefront, revealing the mysteries of how energy moves in and around us.
Hi Caroline,
I would like to use the article you sent me, “Give the Gift of Releasing Expectations,” in the November issue of the Grapevine as I think it very appropriate for the holidays. I will also use the beautiful painting you sent.
Also, because we want to promote our members, The International Feng Shui Guild has a new policy that we will only publish member submissions. Thanking you in advance. Warm Regards, Sharon Sudol Editor thegrapevine@internationalfengshui.org
Good morning Sharon, Certainly you may use any article.
I still write a weekly newspaper column for the Benicia Herald (CA) called “West Meets East.” Some of these past articles have been archived on my website below. The easiest way to find them is to go onto www.fengshuiartistry.com, then click www.moongateschool.com on the icons, then click on Newspaper Columns. I hope my writing skills have improved over the years. Just give me a heads up when you chose to use any. Some are question and answer, while others deal with personal growth. The readers enjoy my “Erma Bombeck” approach to harmony and balance, sometimes stumbling my way to enlightenment! You may also use paintings for the guild publications. I have many other images which are listed as “postcards,” which are greeting cards on www.fengshuiartistry.com under the “Purchase Art” icon. Click on that to view others for future use. I just finished a couple of spiritual ones last week. My check was mailed last Friday to the address on the form for continued membership. Blessings and good Chi, Caroline
Hi Caroline, Yes, thank you so much.
I would also like to feature some of your artwork on my website, www.windwaterfengshui.com. As you will see when you visit my site, there are no good graphics, and yours are magnificent. Perhaps we can work out an affiliate program where I can sell your art and cards from my site, or via a link to your site? Let me know if you’re interested. Warmly, Sharon
Hi Sharon, I am decluttering my files this morning and came across your old email and wanted to connect again. Hope all is well. I have another year of articles from the weekly newspaper column in the Benicia Herald in Benicia, CA. I am still living in Washington State, for now anyway. Hope you are well. I am still consulting, teaching and painting.
Blessings and hope the Earth Rat will bring you successes. Caroline
Hi Caroline,
It’s great to hear from you again. Did E.L. ever contact you for her radio program? If not, she most likely will.
I might use one of your paintings in an upcoming issue of the GV. Do I still have permission to do so?
I’m sorry I haven’t moved very fast on updating my website with your fabulous artwork per the attached email. I seem to take care of everyone else first. We will talk about it again when I’m ready.
Thanks for the update on your article inventory. I'll be sending out the 2008 Editorial Plan within the next week or so. I would love to use some of your material next year.
Happy Holidays!
Warmly, Sharon
Good Morning Sharon,
I think we are both caught up in the mundane world and probably need to step back and take a break and see if we have created what we want. For me personally, I have spent this year regrouping, clearing outdated attachments on a transcendental level and taking inventory of the exciting spiritual path I envisioned for myself many years ago. Things change and hopefully so do we. “Things” have taken a back seat and, not so suddenly, I feel a “quickening” of the most important phase coming soon. Deciding how I want to contribute my skills and be of service to those who need healing.
My paintings and murals have made a difference to many, but the ways a home can be shifted to heal bodies is of great significance. The effects of bad detail design in living and working spaces is profound. Educating builders to Feng Shui is crucial to our health, but it is the children who suffer from the sloping ceilings, slanted doorways, above-garage bedrooms, headboards back up to walls with a toilet on the other side of the wall and furniture that is not in proportion to their size. Children are eating sugar at alarming rates, and consuming large amounts of dairy products which plague the mucus membranes in the body year round, causing coldness to settle into systems and cause disease. Wearing clothing in colors which aren’t harmonious to their Elements, bedrooms painted in detrimental colors, beds which are used as storage blocking the circulation of necessary Chi under and around the sleeping area, and EMF’s filling rooms with invisible poisons oozing from alarm clocks, VCRs, computers, cell phones and electric blankets. What are we thinking? So I have a lot to think about, but am clearing the clutter (once again) from the art studio, as I have more than sugar plums dancing in my head. Images fill my inner vision and refuse to leave until the paintings I “see” are put to canvas or paper. I have almost completed passing on and selling half of my book collection. It was sad at first, but with the internet, I can glean information with ease and I want to be able to “move and think with ease,” so being responsible for a ton of books is not in my best interest. The front door was painted a beautiful coral red and, of course, as we all have experienced in the World of Feng Shui, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. What a beautiful Holiday Gift to myself! Blessings, Caroline
WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?
· It is for those wishing to study with me privately, with the experience of over 4500 consultations. ONE ON ONE, starting where you need to start. · A six-month commitment is necessary. · A monthly mentoring date is set for at least one to two hours of phone conversation, at different intervals. · Packets are sent for you to study each month. Emailing and faxes will be part of the course as we go over floor plans.
NEW CLASSES COMING IN 2008……… THE YEAR OF THE EARTH RAT!
Please visit www.fengshuiartistry.com and click on www.moongateschool.com for current local and out-of-state class schedules in Feng Shui, Art and Medicine making with Herbs. Caroline is available for teaching and speaking engagements.
Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called The Puget Sound in Washington State. She is a Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art, private mentoring for serious students, lectures and writes for newspapers. She combines teaching and traveling to other locations, here and abroad. Her 2007 schedule includes workshop and classes in the Northwest, Southwest, Midwest and Alaska. She is available speaking, teaching and consultations.
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. Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501 caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com
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