West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Learning Disabilities and Challenging Diseases, What's Going On?

One of the many ways to enjoy the benefits of a Feng Shui consultation is to invite several of your friends and colleagues over to your home for the afternoon or evening while the consultation is being done. I had recently given a talk for a new friend who teaches Yoga but also is certified in the practice of neurotherapeutics or, in short, physical therapy for the brain! There are many new “syndromes” and challenges facing the health of our children and adults. The environment is certainly in transition as pollution creeps into every aspect of our lives and is now causing havoc with our water, food, shelter and surroundings. The term “leaky gut syndrome” is derived from an adverse effect of eating foods which are either full of tainted nutrients or foods which our body can’t tolerate anymore such as sugar products, dairy, grains, eggs and peanuts, to name a few. The body may be able to digest these things for many years, then seemingly, one day our digestion is off, next our muscles ache and now pain sets in. Myalgia, brain functions such as learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, ADD and ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, confusion, disorganization, dizziness, facial pain and fatigue are our new diseases born out of imbalances.

Anyway, this friend invited her friend to hear me speak about Feng Shui. She in turn wanted to have her home evaluated and invited a few friends to come by. We had a lovely afternoon in the beautiful back-country of the Northwest. It was a beautiful cool summer’s day, and I began talking about The Art of Placement at the front of the house. A large wide deck at the front entrance was inviting. Hanging baskets of rich bright-colored flowers generated Chi. The owner’s dogs seemed happy as they greeted each guest, thinking the party was for them, of course. Animals are related to the Fame area of the home’s environment, and they were “working” the crowd, bringing Fire energy to the gathering.

After the general talk, I took the guests through the home with question and answers flowing. One of the last rooms we examined was her son’s room. She mentioned his problem with ADHD and bipolar condition. This is one of our “new” conditions. There are many therapies being tried to ease these conditions, and Feng Shui offers relief in the area of detail design problems in the house. The brain is affected when pressure is applied by unseen architectural designs in some homes. It is interesting to note that toilets, stoves, electrical wiring behind beds, or backed up to the wall behind a bed, can cause trauma to the head. Radio clocks, TV’s, and sleeping under slanted low ceilings or on top bunk beds also are subject to pressure on the head. To test this feeling in a different way, step inside a closet, close the door and see how you feel after a few minutes in such close quarters. Life needs air, expansion and light.

Something to think about? Here are my email suggestions to my new friend the next morning after the event. I had changed my mind about a picture of her on a prominent wall for her 18-year-old son, as I felt a picture of Mom every time he left the room could be a little much and be intimidating.

“Really enjoyed meeting everyone and would love to have the email addresses of those who would like my newspaper column by email. I am changing my whole mailing system this month, deleting my “old life” and ways of thinking and bringing in new ideas and new people into my life. I contacted the cities of Arlington, Anacortes, etc. this morning to get addresses for all my new students in this area so I can send out the new teaching schedules for the coming season.

I have reconsidered the large picture of you I originally suggested at the bottom of the staircase (so your son of 18, when coming down from his bedroom each morning, will see who is in charge of the home). Instead, place a picture of you where anyone entering the house can see, like the living room or hallway, at least in full view, or as my teacher says, in a prominent place to be seen by all who enter. This shows anyone who enters, that you are the “keeper” and owner of this house and respect should be paid to you as a responsible adult, mother and business woman, and you should be addressed in a respectful manner. You pay the bills, cook, clean, teach and have overcome a million obstacles to give him what he has.

But at the bottom of the staircase (when leaving your son’s upstairs bedroom), a picture should be one of a large mountain, 16x20 or 36x40, representing height and aspirations for knowledge, with a stream or waterfall and trees; no desert, please. It should be bright and light. Add an altar-sized table or hall table under the picture with red candles or battery candles in any color which appear to be flickering. On each side of the candles place small bamboo plants. A light over the painting or picture poster will be energy to the viewer and ignite Chi in the mind of the person coming down the stairs each day. It is a powerful cure. Place small books of knowledge, from the Dalai Lama to dog training, or any uplifting subject which entices the viewer. It could be a book on the subject the person is studying in school.

I hope your son has also considered Martial Arts as a way to learn “The Tao” or The Path, be in control in a magical way and have compassion and skills for life situations.

New sheets in the colors of flowing bamboo (light green) will heal and protect him, and promote learning. Paint the low-hanging slanted ceilings sky blue with clouds, glue stars that glow in the dark over the bed. Also paint other slanted ceilings, if possible. I would do it anyway, as it will lift his spirit and mind for clarity. Also, place a small wind chime over his bed with a 20 to 40mm round pure crystal tied to the bottom of the striker. Don’t use chimes with diamond pointed objects dangling from the strings, as the Chi becomes like an arrow going through the body.

We will talk more, but wanted to get this info to you before pictures are hung. Hope to have lunch with you and your friend soon. Would you like to start at my house so you can “see” the corrections?

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