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West Meets East©
By Caroline Patrick
Seattle Feng Shui Workshop
Each day carries its own Ch'i. Everyday and every minute your surroundings change. You have a choice how each day is lived. Sounds easy, but it is very complex. Where is the balance? I was pondering this and other world situations as I drove south toward a weekend Feng Shui workshop. Professor Lin Yun, who introduced Feng Shui to the western world, was to speak at Bastyr University on The Influence of Cosmic Ch'i, Earth Ch'i and Human's Ch'i from the perspective of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. Professor Lin had never held a workshop in Seattle during his 30 years of teaching in the United States. Though he has been invited to speak and teach throughout the world, Washington State had not been honored with his lectures on the Art of Placement.
Feng Shui has been used by world figures such as Kerry Packer (Australia's richest man), members of royal families and Donald Trump. Microsoft's first building was designed with Vastu Shastra (Indian style of Feng Shui). Disney Developments, famous actors and designers, and the national headquarters of British Airways have all been influenced by Feng Shui. 'Leading edge professionals,' architects, interior designers, realtors, buyers and sellers, business owners, major corporations and developers all call on expert consultants to help design and build successful operations. Chase Manhattan Bank, The Interior of Sydney's Hyatt Kingsgate, Citibank, The Museum of Civilization Canada, Touchstone Fine Arts USA, Bank of China, Chicago Cubs Stadium, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank by British Architect Sir Norman Foster and William S. Doyle, Vice President of a New York advertising agency have also used Feng Shui. Why? Because it is practical and pragmatic! And so Feng Shui continues to grow in popularity as its effects are far reaching of all three levels of mind, body and soul. Though it is an ancient practice used by many surviving cultures, the Chinese are known to have studied and recorded nature in a way no other civilization has done. Religion is not a factor, although some of the transcendental knowledge has been passed down orally through religious leaders.
One of the deciding factors that led me to Professor Lin's teachings on the subject came from a statement he made after my first class with him. He clarified that whatever religion you might be practicing was not a conflict with Feng Shui, it only added to your knowledge of bringing harmony to the world. Now he was coming to Washington at our request. When I say our, I refer to the many Feng Shui enthusiasts in the area. Janani, my China trip roommate, and I had continually invited Master Lin to Seattle, and now he was really coming. I only had to drive an hour or so for the weekend fun, and didn't have to fly to a class. Bastyr University is very well known for is Naturopathic, Homeopathic and Acupuncture curriculum, a perfect choice as summer vacation left most of the dorm rooms open for us and a natural foods cafeteria only a few doors down from the large class room. I had been assigned to chauffeur Catherine Woo, famous international artist and much, much more. Her paintings hang throughout the world in private homes, universities and institutions (I will continue with this information next week). This was an honor and privilege as she was one of Professor's dear friends and took classes from him daily from about 1976. As they are both artists, I was looking forward to stories of her experiences with this Master Teacher. It was a sunny day in the Northwest, rain predicted for the next day, and I was prepared for any type of weather, as it can change quickly near the Canadian Border. I had painted a Chinese Zodiac picture for the theme of the weekend with all energies of every person getting along and sharing, which the 12 Chinese Animals represent. I looked forward to the big weekend and seeing good friends again. (to be continued) WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?
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. |