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West Meets East© By Caroline Patrick Knowledge
There is a time to learn and a time to teach. We are all blessed with talents to share with mankind. After many years of teaching art, I became stressed with the college insisting I take on more students in my classes. The first few years, fifteen people was the limit. As art became more popular, my four classes filled, as I was the only instructor guaranteeing twelve paintings in a fifteen-week semester. Energy filled the room as I demonstrated my fast method and people returned to learn beginning, intermediate and advanced techniques in oils. One popular class swelled to thirty-five students when I called a temporary halt to my career. I was tired and four classes a week had turned into twelve. I was teaching mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends. Excitement had turned into work. I became sick and cranky and needed rest. Since the children were on their own now, I went on the road with my husband. His job took us many places. This was my opportunity to learn! I had overstayed my time teaching and now the balance was to pursue more knowledge. This next phase lasted fourteen years. I studied with some fantastic wise masters of the herbal world and other related subjects. My next venture was the world of wind and water. Learning about the ancient Chinese method of harmony and balance called feng shui brings me pleasure. Enhancing homes with this system properly takes many years of study. There are several schools of thought on this technique. Most of them work effectively and bring a sense of peace and calm into living and working spaces. Why has this ancient method of placement had a recent reoccurrence of popularity? Could it be the world’s balance between the physical, environmental and spiritual planes are in deep trouble? The five necessary elements of water, wood, fire, metal and earth have become seriously out of balance. The result is felt on three main levels: physical, environmental and spiritual. Looking for answers to change this downward flow of principles, I came across a humble, gentle teacher to help me understand a simple but complex way to promote change in my personal life, community life and learn world responsibility. Professor Lin Yun, master of Black Hat Tibetan Buddhism Feng Shui, had those qualifications I was looking for. His expert knowledge in this science has brought him world acclaim. At the age of 71, he follows his purpose, to help create world peace in his own unique way. His teaching, speaking and lecturing abilities are greatly sought after and his arduous yearly schedule would tire a young man. His degree in law at an early age gave him a yang or business world sense and a strong foundation for his later work introducing feng shui to the western world. We have recently (the last 25 years) been introduced to many other cultural alternative healing methods. These ancient theories have slowly peaked the interest of our western society. The appealing quality of Professor’s approach to western cultures’ attitudes is he doesn’t request that you give up your religious practices and asks that you use your own prayers and rituals to bring harmony into your living space. What are your burning desires? Is it time to teach or learn? After giving several fall workshops in Benicia and other locations, it is again time for me to learn. As I write these words to you, I am on yet another airplane. This weekend was spent at Harvard University at a two-day intensive feng shui workshop with Master Lin Yun. His years of service to world peace through lecturing all over the world raises the chi of any city he visits. During this particular class, I heard him refer to Jesus Christ many times as an example of the highest order. "Pray visualizing Jesus Christ and his energy to heal a situation," he suggested. Later we studied the architecture of the 350-year-old building. Its beams, its beauty, its good feng shui and its not-so-good feng shui. This was the first university in the United States, a perfect example to the dedication of student and teacher. MIT, Cambridge and Boston, history of our nation’s past, present and future. Concentrate clearing our clutter or unused or broken objects from the front left corner of your home. Throw away old papers, give away books already read to make space for new knowledge to visit your life.
Feng Shui Class Setting the Feng Shui Energy – 5 Element Altars
Sunday, December 8th, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe - $89
Call 707-748-1127 for registration and consultations. Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe 129 First St. Suite K Benicia, Ca. 94510 www.moongateschool.com Caroline is a feng shui consultant, artist, herbalist and author. She is available for speaking engagements, consultations and workshops. Her weekly newspaper column can be read on her second website, moongateschool.com for individuals out of the Benicia area.
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