West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Earth Angels

This is an email sent to me by Dr. Catherine Woo, and when Catherine includes me in her mailing list, I am rewarded 10,000 times. To be included in her thoughts is very karmic, so I will pass this message along to my “understanding karmic friends and readers” who have supported me in countless ways, and some for many years She is a magic artist, professor, poet, and calligrapher. She has changed the world by her presence, teaching and speaking through out the continent. As a 35-year-plus student of His Holiness Grandmaster Lin Yun, her interpreting skills are perfection when Professor asks for her translation abilities in his bilingual workshops. She has mastered life, and I am fortunate to know and love such a being. Yiyu is at ease with any situation whether it is at a White House function, celebrating her brother's successes and awards, or traveling in the back country of China with no facilities for comfort. I would like to share one such experience with Professor Cathy Woo.

I have seen and felt her energy save me from what could have been a serious fall. When traveling in China a few years ago with a Feng Shui group headed by Master Lin, we were invited to a famous sculpture’s home and workshop. This gentleman has followed Professor Lin’s Feng Shui advice for many years and is world renown for his work. The sculptor was taking us to his workshop after dark, and the path was not lit. Catherine whispered in my ear, “be careful of the path,” as irrigation ditches were close to each side and couldn’t be seen in the dark. She commented that I didn’t seem “grounded,” and I probably wasn’t in my excitement of seeing the artist’s studio, on the other side of the world, with his 30-foot Buddhas, Quan Yins and other figures in castings. I replied, “yes” and “uh huh,” thanking her for her concern, but my mind was floating with expectation and happiness, and I was not giving anything else my full attention, including Master Woo.

The statues were to be placed in different countries, high on mountains. Their majestic energy took my mind even higher and I took many, many photos of the giant pieces. The artist had two young sons playing in a room near by. Hearing their laughter, I stepped backward from the crowd of students to check out what they were doing. Missing my two grandsons, their childish giggling pulled me into the space. Large sheets of clay lay on a prep-table, and the children were running a small piece of the earth substance through a rolling pin type of machine. Fascinated by the gray-colored special clay, I asked in a sign language-type manner if I might have a very small piece. The older boy gifted me with the putty substance. I bowed with affection and they bowed back.

Still giddy from the studio’s high “Chi,” I began the walk back to the buses through a short cut, down a second path that circled into the main one. It was very dark, but I could see the main group only 30 feet away. Aimlessly my fingers played with the clay, forming it into a small image of a Quan Yin, who is a Chinese version of the Virgin Mary. She is claimed to protect children and hear the prayers of women and listen to their problems and ease them with compassion. Suddenly my left leg dropped three feet downward so fast I didn’t have time to react. I looked forward and saw Catherine at the junction in front of me, looking intently into my eyes. As suddenly as my leg disappeared into the earthen ditch full of gray water it came right back up, with no effort whatsoever. I didn’t miss a stride in my step and walked forward with the clay still between my fingers. Something lifted my body quickly upward with no strain on the leg. Catherine never stepped out of line to help, but only said, “I lifted you up, don’t do that again!” Gray water filled my shoe and covered my pants up past the knee. I stared at the mess, but no bone was broken and it was impossible for me not to have hurt myself. My eyes now adjusted to the darkness could see a ditch the exact width of my sandal, no more, no less. There was no way I could have purposely put my foot to the bottom of the cemented walled ditch and got it back out without extreme effort and pain! Was this a dream? No, my wet shoes and pants showed the results of the experience.

Thank you for your light and magic you have shared with me in good times and challenging times. It is important we create a circle of wisdom and uplifting Chi. Think of it as a long red ribbon of oneness, connecting our good deeds with a universal stability of light. What are your experience with a friend’s gift? Please share them with me and I will put your stories together in book. This way your experience will lift the Chi of Nations.

Yes Catherine is my guardian angel, so I will pass this message on to those who would like to also experience her Chi.

Blessings for this year and the next – or the Year of the Earth Rat!

Caroline Patrick

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON

I am sending this to you to see how many actually read their email. Your response will be interesting. Pay attention to what you read. After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you. Here goes:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant .

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Send this to every friend that you have on-line, including the person who sent it to you. 0 Replies – you may need to work on your “people skills” 2 Replies – you are nice but probably need to be more outgoing 4 Replies – you have picked your friends well 6 Replies – you are downright popular 8 Replies or More – you are totally awesome (and that's probably why you're on MY list) I wonder what mine will be.

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