West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

You Can Return Home Again!

Planning a trip to Benicia is always a pleasure. Several months ago I received the schedule for Master Lin Yun’s yearly workshop in Berkeley, CA. The leader of Black Sect Tibetan Feng Shui was to lecture once again at the university. Bringing this form of Feng Shui to the United States was the beginning of change for this country as it was an easy-to-understand method. The Art of Placement is thought to be over 5000 years old and there are many forms or schools of Feng Shui, or the balance of “wind and water” determinations to assist a person with the nine stations of life. Using the eight-sided ancient Bagua template over the floor plan of a room, house, land plot, city or nation, aligns the dwelling or city to the five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Professor Thomas Lin was coming to teach his methods of Feng Shui to an eager group of disciples and students, some of whom had attended his first classes in 1986.

Since moving to the Northwest, Feng Shui is still a big part of my life. I continue to teach, give consultations and paint, but nothing compares to a return visit in Benicia. I decided to give a workshop and several former clients wanted another consultation, so I began to plan for the events. Since the positions of BED, DESK and STOVE in your home or business affects a person’s Health, Wealth, Career, Family situation, Marriage and other things, I decided to share this crucial information. I like win-win situations. Especially for children, as I see the parents’ stress “rain down” on the little ones and this could be “fixed” easily within the child’s bedroom.

An example might be a bed under bookshelves, or a sloping ceiling coming to rest on a child’s head, giving them headaches. A bed lined up with a bathroom or the end of the bed facing the door or a staircase are both draining energies. Colors have a large impact on grades and health. Check for EMF’s causing diseases. A recent case came to mind of a kindergartener carrying a cell phone. The teacher had to ban them from the room. What are you thinking parents? Read up on the detriments of cell phones, computers, electric blankets, radio clocks and TV’s in the bedroom. Oh my, I'm rambling again.....but as a grandparent I feel responsible to warn against the “new diseases” we have created. Bedrooms are for sleeping and restoring Chi at night. The room should be Yin or soft, warm, dim and inviting.

Sometimes things seem to run so smoothly it is scary. Well the trip to California fell into place without a hitch. A dear friend offered her home for my class, and with the help of my Benicia angels, Barbara Pike and friends, the enrollment swelled to 34. My friends did all of the work and it was an evening to remember. I decided to ask for nine red envelopes from those wanting to participate in the celebration. In each envelope a coin or paper money was placed (giving weight to the class), sealed and placed on a large coffee table. Over 300 envelopes spilled over the edge like a sea of good luck. The tradition of the Red Envelope is well known to the Chinese community. At New Year and other special occasions the envelopes are given to give luck and blessings to the receiver. We gave the gift of blessings to the homeowner, which also brings health and wealth to the home.

The next evening was the highlight of the trip, as I had asked Professor Lin Yun and Crystal Chu to have dinner with me and ten friends. The invitation was accepted by Professor Lin, a rare occasion. I asked ten others to join in the celebration, as I presented Master Lin and Crystal portraits of themselves. The originals were given to His Holiness and Crystal in appreciation for all of his teachings, which have changed the course of my life. I had been painting the pieces for several months, and Professor Lin being an artist himself loved the “work” and appreciated the time involved to create the canvases. (They can be seen on my website in a few weeks.) Professor also has law and alternative medicine degrees. As a human, he is compassionate, humorous, humble and brilliant in his ability to read a person’s Chi. He was soon giving separate advice on design details which cause health problems, and gave each person individual blessings and Chi adjustments.

I could write many more words about this experience, but here is an email from a friend who attended my class and the special dinner, as it sums up the visit. If you are interested in another workshop as explained below, or a phone consultation, please email me for future classes.

This email is in response to phone contacts regarding her consultation. Her home lacks a CENTER, which is an important health Gua or section. She hates the color yellow, which promotes healing, activates the liver and correct cellular growth. Placed in the CENTER, flowers are very healing, especially if you change the arrangement every three days for 27 days or a nine sequence, which is a complete “life” cycle and in itself changes the Chi. So lemons aren’t interchangeable with yellow flowers!!! Always question yourself what you resist.... and watch your “Yes, but” answers... as this is a life lesson moment........to look at yourself and see what you are getting from the resistance. I check myself daily for “Yes – but” Chi.

Hi Caroline,

Thank you for your call with reminders for my home and for me. I am in the process of getting the items that you suggested. Until I can get a nice flower arrangement in yellow, I am planning to put a big bowl of lemons on that center coffee table for now. I hope that will work in the interim. Also I have been doing the health cure that Professor Lin had given to me.

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed all of the events from last week. It really did open up a long desire I have had for more Feng Shui, astrology and taking the time to develop my inner self.

I have not heard any news from my interview from last week, so I assume that I was not the best choice for the job. Maybe it is for the best and something is out there that will use my gifts and talents and be right for me.

Anyway, you did a great job last week with such a hectic schedule. The dinner in Berkeley was really a great experience. Professor Lin is a cutie. I was amazed at his celebrity at the restaurant and the titles from his business card. What an honor for us. I was really energized the next day. Was that from his blessing?

I hope that you will consider another trip to Benicia and hopefully have a longer class seminar for us. Two days would be nice. I will keep in touch as I know that I will have questions as I work through all the cures for my home.

Relax and enjoy your grandchildren and the beauty of the Northwest.

I am sending you a new email address for me as my other one is hard to spell and remember sometimes. I also want to see if this address works since it is a new one. I hope to hear from you again soon. Keep smiling and thanks again.

Much happiness,

A friend

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.