West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

Face the Facts, Deal with Them and Move On, Don’t Delay!

Americans are certainly getting a wake up call on all fronts! I won’t get on the political doom-and-gloom wagon, but it is time to shift gears, face our problems and deal with them. This was the topic my Feng Shui master teacher, Professor Lin Yun, spoke on at Harvard University two years ago. “Coping with the World Economic Crisis” was the topic, and the audience was rewarded with three days of intense information. Grandmaster Lin felt that as consultants, it is our obligation to give clients tools which will ease the problems of the economy during the recovery period. Even though he greatly desired to retire at age 77, he continued to teach and speak worldwide on these solutions. Feng Shui is not a fad or a cute interior design fix, but an ancient way to determine how Wind and Water can bring harmony, not only to your home and business, but to all nations. We must pay attention to how these principles interact with humans and the environment, and prevent global warming. The following poem was written in our workbooks revealing its mystery.

The Great Tao (The Pathway of Life book) covers a mere couple of sentences.

And, unveiled, its value is less than pennies.

Yet a million gold pieces cannot buy this truth,

that guides the Destined at the crossroad of life.

If you are faced with starting over, take the bull by the horns and use the simple but complex advice Master Lin Yun offered:

1.FIRST, FACE YOUR PROBLEM, DO NOT RUN AWAY, FACE IT BRAVELY.

2.ACCEPT YOUR PROBLEM. It is what it is! Do a reality check. Why did you spend more than you earned? Who made you buy the big house, big cars and all those things? Why did you have to have more than the Joneses? Why did he/she walk out on me?

3.HANDLE YOUR PROBLEM. USE SOFTNESS TO SUBDUE, NOT HARDNESS. GO WITH THE FLOW OF ADVERSITY AND DIRECT THE PROBLEM INTO THE RIGHT COURSE. Own up to your mistakes. Take care of the runaway debts you created in a kind way. Take responsibility for your actions.

4.LET GO OF IT, LEAVE IT BEHIND YOU. Use prayer, good deeds, knowledge of Feng Shui and meditation. Chant the ancient Heart Sutra Mantra, which has the intention, sound, “color” and musical notes to restore balance in your heart systems. Mantras and repeated uplifting prayers are a great way to change behavior while raising Chi in your body and home. If you choose a prayer, make sure you are not “begging” for help, but the prayer is releasing negative energy and bringing in new vitality to all organs of the body. The repetitive sounds bring peace to your mind and spirit and strength to your body. Listen for answers afterwards. It is ok to fall asleep as the answers may be waiting for you upon awakening.

This simple-sounding advice is not so easy to follow and can take a lifetime of study, good deeds and learning how to bring balance to all situations. Just as the January diet fails over and over, year after year, so do our spiritual practices fall away as life gets busy and seems to consume our time, but “time” is running out to save the planet. The year of the Silver Hare will soon arrive. Her Yin feminine energy is symbolized by a kettle or cauldron. Don’t confuse a rabbit with the Hare, as a Hare is born with a coat of fur and good vision. The rabbit is born naked and blind! Hares run faster than rabbits and do not freeze when confronted by danger. Hares symbolize long life, as do cranes and turtles. Friends of the Hare are Boar and Sheep. As you start over, incorporate all lessons learned up to this point. Take these next few months to analysis your past actions, not other people’s actions. This will give you great insight to the future. Study how you have interacted with the Metal Tiger of 2010 and personally prepare for Metal Hare’s interaction with your Chinese birth sign.

I have given you twelve years of Feng Shui ideas, cures and corrections within The Benicia Herald column. If you have forgotten some of this advice please go to www.moongateschool.com for a few hundred articles. Even though the last couple of years have been challenging on many levels, those who use Feng Shui are reaping benefits. Since last April, five clients have successfully sold their homes when houses aren’t selling. They took the challenge while in total frustration and confusion of life problems and did the cures I suggested, moved forward on top of “the wave,” faced these problems, took care of them in the softest way possible and moved on. My reward is to hear the sound of their voices. There is happiness, smoothness and a clear ring as they tell me the good news. Gone is the heavy tone of helplessness. My advice to you is to face the facts, get past blame, anger and sadness by taking care of the problem quickly and move forward. Don’t delay! Enjoy new adventures.

Caroline Patrick BorNei 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 archives on her website www.fengshuiartistry.com.