West Meets East

West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Caroline’s Coming to Town – Feng Shui on the Road

"The more I know, the more I don't know," was a statement I often heard my father say to himself under his breath. I'm beginning to understand his dilemma, a type of melancholy that comes with age, when time seems to be running out and you have barely scratched the surface of life. Time seems to be traveling at a greater speed, and according to scientists, it could be. Learning was not always my passion, but drawing was. With pencil and paper hidden between my 5th grade geography book, I drew pictures to sell at recess for 25 cents a piece. It was a great way to get quick money to buy a yo-yo or wax lips at the corner neighborhood store after school – that is, until I got caught.

Or maybe it was the time I had to stand in the corner in kindergarten for whispering loudly to “my neighbor” after he pinched my leg under the table. My Knowledge was stunted, I’m sure, from early-on embarrassing moments like this. And, for the icing on the cake, that kindergarten teacher wrote in my report card that I was “bossy and slow to take turns with the tools.” What did she know anyway? In my defense, there was one saw per 20 kids to cut out that ____ bear, anyway! They were slower than dirt. Actually, I was quite shy and sober faced, so I tried to hide from trouble at any cost.

Sorry to digress, but feeling time slip by at a quickened pace, I am even more adamant about learning the secrets of Feng Shui, and sharing with my students what I have learned the last two years. I have speeded up the process of studying with Professor Lin Yun, Master of Black Sect Feng Shui, and Katherine Metz, one of Professor’s early students, who has chronicled most every class he has given. As Master Lin is now in his 70’s he feels it is time to share some more of the deep aspects of this ancient system of harmony and balance. When I last interviewed His Holiness for the Benicia Herald newspaper, I asked him what he would like the readers of my column to understand about Feng Shui. He surprised me by saying, “begin again, at the beginning!” Although Professor speaks very clear English when needed, he prefers to have a translator. I looked up to the translator to make sure I had heard him correctly. Yes, he said, “begin again at the beginning.”

“Tell your readers about the Bagua, and how it lets the person, business, community and state know where to place city buildings when the octagonal template is placed over a home, school, or community. Show them how to find the Mouth of Chi or energy flow for the city, so it may be prosperous, how to use fountains, flag poles and opening ceremonies to bring life to a city and incorporate the 5 Elements to bring life by adding plants to invite new growth to a new business.” This wise man has taught at countless universities through out the nations. He has spoken numerous times at the United Nations and has worked with all religions to bring this simple but complex Knowledge to the World. He was one of the first people to bless the Oakland hills after the fires many years ago and was on site to bless the 9-11 New York site.

I have seen him bless babies, children, parents and students after many long hours of teaching. I have seen him weep when egos of consultants get out of balance, laugh until he cried, have patience when I was beyond my limit, have compassion beyond what I understand, be humorous to raise the Chi of a room of tired students and have understanding of nature, the environment and people’s spirit, and what cure to give to save a port of entry or a baby’s cry. He can read a person’s Chi, a home’s energy, and give an answer never expected to a complex Feng Shui situation.

To be of service is my desire. To help others solve money problems, understand design details that cause illness, help children learn and grow, families get along better, to relieve marriage struggles by understanding your floor plan and how it reflects you and your family. The veins of your body are represented by the hallways of the home, the garage, upstairs, downstairs, bedroom placement can all be easily adjusted to insure a better flow of life and aspects of your life, by learning about Feng Shui.

As a last Feng Shui suggestion.......... it is not good Feng Shui to build below a water level!!! I don’t care how lovely the area is, it will flood at some time. Just as I watched the recent destruction of Katrina’s hurricane, I am reminded of a childhood vacation to the Gulf of Mexico. A week after our return home to the Midwest, the newspaper’s headlines captured a picture of a ship rammed into the 7th floor of the hotel we had just left. Daddy wanted to leave a week early from the planned trip, over the protests of my mother. We would have been killed if we would have stayed that extra week. That was 1948, it happens and it will continue to happen where the wind and water are the rulers. Feng Shui is translated as the balance of Wind and Water. Live in a safe place in the “armchair” of a hill. This was the advice 5000 years ago.

Come Join the Fun! October 5^th, 7-9 pm in Benicia. Email for class information or to sign up. Seating is limited as we will be meeting in a wonderful local home. I will be giving a class WEALTH and DESIGN DETAILS which can cause ILLNESS. All new material............Increase your knowledge of how you can help yourself and family.

WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?

· It is for those wishing to study with me privately. ONE ON ONE.

· The cost is $350 for three hours a month, through phone, email and faxes.

· A six-month commitment is necessary.

· 27 red envelopes (first month only) and the first month’s payment of $350 due on the 1st of each month.

· A monthly mentoring date is set for at least one to two hours of phone conversation, at different intervals.

· Packets of hard-copy material are sent for you to study each month. Emailing and faxes will be part of the course also as we go over floor plans.

· The material is copyrighted, but I will give you permission to share a lot of the information.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com

Caroline Patrick, Feng Shui consultant/practitioner, teacher/speaker, Feng Shui artist and writer, lives in the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. Her weekly newspaper article called WEST MEETS EAST is a popular Feng Shui advice column. She enjoys answering your questions, when possible. Some questions will be chosen for publication with the permission from the reader. Enjoy her new 5 Element attached-folding cards which can be used as a Feng Shui enhancement or correction in any space. Larger prints of several selected paintings are also available. For consultations, speaking/teaching engagements and art evaluations contact her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or visit her websites at www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.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.