West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Investigating the Inner Spirit on Many Levels

I look forward to seeing you soon in Benicia. April 15th through the 23rd I will be speaking, teaching and giving consultations. Combining work and play is very gratifying. Since Feng Shui is at the heart of my passion, rarely do I feel any burden from teaching, consulting, writing or painting. It is a happy marriage of creations. Feng Shui is not only for the home but is especially relative to what is happening inside our bodies. If you are not happy with what life has given you, there is knowledge, especially with the Feng Shui, to change yourself. Each year I learn new ways to promote the flow of energy in my home, my body, the community. As this positive Chi moves outward, it changes not only us and how we act and react, but it changes the world! What powerful beings we are; just through actions and words which can help or destroy our bodies as what you put "out there" comes back ten-fold. It is the law of nature.

Black Sect Feng Shui was born of ancient practices used in Tibetan Buddhism. This is why the media will sometimes confuse Feng Shui with religion. Any ancient practice has roots in religion, because the relationship of man with the earth, water, sky and surroundings is considered a vital part of the wheel of life force. Ancient practices needed a religious base to be legitimate. Death was the option for those who "went outside of the box." Hopefully we have made some progress, but as wars continue today as in centuries past, using religion and racism as the right to take over other countries is beyond primitive. Having said that, the modern version of Feng Shui, or the flow of wind and water, needs only a basis of balance and harmony and not a religion. Many schools of thought about Feng Shui have sprung up, some good and some not so good, but at least they offer the public some education about their living and working spaces and basic formulas to do "quick fixes." I have been blessed by finding a great Master Teacher who combines his teaching with modern and ancient knowledge. Students of His Holiness are trained to use simple methods to shift the Chi, but we also are given ancient techniques when simple methods fail to bring results.

Other schools of thought are great, and work for smaller things such as getting a new Career, finding more Helpful People by enhancing the immediate right side of the house when entering the front door, or using color to change the Chi of any space. But what happens after you have de-cluttered and "corrected" all 9 areas of the Bagua and you are still experiencing problems? It is time to go "outside the box" and look at your inner self. You are the motor running the ship. Is your rudder in mud, are the sails tattered from what life has dumped in your lap? And why do you keep getting into the same muck? I suspect the problem could be you. How do I know? The answer is … Muck is my middle name!

Yes, it seems my out-of-balance Wood Chi, in the past, was not as flexible as it is now. (If you don't bend in the wind, you break!) Using Professor Lin's Meditations has brought me to a new level of understanding and given me tools to let go of past grievances. One such tool is ancient mantras, or sing-song like, repetitive prayers. These prayers give your brain a rest while their tones align your mind-body connection. The brain waves feel and hear the tones deep inside your inner soul on a level that is beyond analyzing. The first of the six sacred tones is "Ommmm." Speak this tone and visualize the pure color of white for help with generosity. Next is "Maaaad," seeing red in the minds eye and remembering the merits of discipline, followed by "Niiiiiii," yellow for healing and tolerance. "Paddddd," the sound vibration of green helps to negate laziness; "Meeeee" is the feeling for blue; and last is the energy of meditation, "Hummm," black in color to open up wisdom. This combined chant is a universal prayer that can be used by all nations for peace and harmony, but can also be used to open the inner self for evaluation and healing. Just as the Lord's Prayer is very powerful, add this one to your list, which can be sung out loud to clear a space, heal a heart or heal a home, or sooth a baby. You can find it in CD's to play in your home while you are away or in meditation. Sometimes this prayer is said in 9 cycles to close a meditation or to open your energy centers of the body called Chakras. It is also the prayer of Kuan Yin or Quan Yin, a Virgin Mary energy, to carry the wishes and cries of Women and Children in many traditions. You can learn more about this prayer and Kuan Yin from internet research.

Just as we learn ways to open the inner cause of our problems, a lightness occurs and daily issues become less binding to our bodies and spirit. I speak from the last five years of experiencing these wondrous changes in myself. More clues to our inner self are seen in the face. The ancient Art of Face Reading is an amazing tool. I hope you can join me April 16th at Benicia's Faerytale Store, to learn more about the inner you. It will be an exciting evening, come join the fun. Call (707) 745-2024 to reserve a seat. Bring a hand mirror to follow along!

What does your face have to do with your environment? I will be in Benicia on the evening of April 16th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., to tell you! Join us at the Faerytale. Call (707) 745-2024 for seating; to book a mini-consultation on the 17th use same number. I still have some openings for on-site consultations, April 16th through 22nd. Call (360) 424-1501 to schedule an appointment.

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 2008 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