China, a country with 5,000 years of history, is rich in culture and art. One of the ancient Chinese arts that has become increasingly popular in the West is Feng shui.
About 30 years ago, few people in the West knew anything about Feng shui, but today, many people at least have heard about it and some might even know more about it than the average native Chinese do.
Many Feng shui books and articles have been published in English, often focusing on interior design and decoration, landscape design, architecture, and clearing clutter.
Feng shui has been used by the Chinese to build homes and offices, design cities and villages for thousands of years. Individuals as well as businesses consult Feng shui experts to improve their lives and businesses.
So what is Feng shui? How can Feng shui be helpful in our modern lives?
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art for achieving health, wealth, happiness, harmony and good fortune according to the arrangement of building design and the placement of objects.
In Chinese, Feng Shui literally means “wind and water,” referring to the two universal elements necessary for life. These universal elements are connected to Chi (or Qi), which is life energy or life force. Wind and water carry this life energy throughout the world. This invisible life energy flows through the universe and is present in everything in life.
The flow of Chi, or energy, is the key component of Feng shui. We want the Chi to be flowing evenly and gently, to go at a certain pace, not too fast or too slow. Chi travels best when it imitates nature by flowing in gentle curves, rather than along straight lines, where it can move too quickly, or against sharp edges and dead corners, where it can be blocked.
The ancient Chinese believed that the lay-out of our homes, the positioning of our furniture and other features, can affect how that life energy flows. Good Feng shui can enrich your environment and create balance and harmony in your life, while bad Feng shui can hinder the free, smooth flowing of energy and create disharmony in our life.
Creating balance and harmony is the essence of Feng shui. It’s about connecting with nature and living in harmony with our environment. If your environment is in balance, you feel better. Without balance, you don’t have harmony which can cause problems in all areas of your life.
The eight directions of the compass (north, east, south, west, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest) and the center, known together as the Nine Palaces, are basic components of Feng-shui.
Each direction is associated with a different kind of chi energy.
Bagua, the eight trigrams, is an energy map used in Feng shui. It is traditionally shown as an octagon with eight sections encircling the center. Bagua divides any space (your entire home or simply a room within it) into nine areas. Each area corresponds to a different aspect of your life. These nine areas represent health, wealth, fame and reputation, relationships, children and creativity, helpful people, career, knowledge, and family.
Our health, our wealth, our relationships with others, our career, all areas of our life, are affected by Feng shui. The Bagua map can be superimposed over any space to help identify where problems exit.
Feng shui teaches that by adjusting and shifting the energies within a space, by making changes to your home and using cures to correct problems, different aspects of your life can be strengthened.
Also, you can achieve balance, harmony and abundance in your life.
The Chinese believe that everything in the universe is made up of five elements: earth, water, wood, fire and metal. These elements exist in a constant movement of change.
Each element has its yin (receptive, passive) side and its yang (creative, active) side. Day and night, dark and light, hot and cold, soft and hard, feminine and masculine, they are opposites and complementary to each other. One cannot exist without the other.
Feng shui uses the five elements as one of the effective ways to create positive energy or remedy bad energy. If all of the elements exist in a space and none of them dominates, you get a feeling of comfort and harmony. Feng shui teaches us how to balance the yin and yang elements to achieve harmony.
Color is another important aspect of balance in Feng shui. Color has an effect on the look and feel of a room, but colors also have associations linked to them. For example, to the Chinese red is a lucky color, associated with life, happiness, and warmth. Green and blue are associated with new beginnings, growth and family life.
Numbers also have meaning and some are more favorable than others. Nine is considered the luckiest, partially due to apparent mystical qualities: when nine is multiplied by a single-digit number, the sum of the two digits of the product is nine.
The number four is considered bad-luck because its Chinese pronunciation, "si," sounds similar to the word for death.
In the next three columns, I will talk about how to use Feng shui to declutter our lives, what some good Feng shui practices are and what a Feng shui consultant can do for you.
I would like to end this column with an old Chinese proverb: “If there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”
[This is part 1 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 10/24/2007]
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Reduce clutter: use Feng shui
Do you have too much stuff in your home that you feel overwhelmed? Do you feel stuck in your life and don’t know what to do? I think most people in this country would say yes to questions like these, including myself.
If you want to clear clutter out of your home and give your life a fresh start and get it moving again, I would recommend the book “Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui” by Karen Kingston.
As I talked about in last week’s column on Feng shui, everything in the universe is chi, or energy. For your life to go well, it is vital to have a good flow of life force energy in home and workplace.
Feng shui is all about ensuring the free flow of energy. Using Feng Shui principles can improve this energy flow.
What is clutter?
Karen lists four categories of clutter:
• Things you do not use or love.
• Things that are untidy or disorganized.
• Too many things in too small a space.
• Anything unfinished.
Clutter can "catch" energy, stopping its free circulation and turning it dull and stagnant.
The presence of clutter tends to lock up energy and prevent the flow of chi.
Chi should always be on the move. Air and energy cannot circulate where clutter exits. Clutter is stuck energy. Clutter creates an obstacle to the smooth flow of energy around a space. It drags the energy down.
“Clutter accumulates when energy stagnates and, likewise, energy stagnates when clutter accumulates. So the clutter begins as a symptom of what is happening with you in your life.”
How does clutter affect you?
According to Kingston, having clutter can cause extra cleaning. It can make you feel burdened, tired, hopeless and ashamed. It can keep you in the past and leave no room for anything new to come into your life. It can put your life on hold. It can affect your body weight.
People who have lots of clutter in their homes are often overweight. It can make you procrastinate and become disorganized. The clutter blocks your energy and makes it difficult to get yourself to do anything. It can cause disharmony and depression. It can cost you financially. It can distract you from important things in life.
Unneeded and unloved items can not only clutter your space, they can also clutter your psyche. Clutter causes problems in people’s lives.
Clutter can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you. Clutter can decrease productivity and creativity. Clutter can clog your life and hinder your progress in the world.
How do you deal with your clutter?
You can keep it, wait until you die and let your relatives sort things out. Or you can take responsibility and clear it yourself. It’s far more empowering to do it yourself.
Deciding what to keep and what to give/throw away is not an easy thing to do. Ideally everything you keep should have a valid purpose. Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide:
• Is it useful and when did you use it the last time?
• Do you absolutely love it?
• Does it make your feel uplifted and energized when you think or look at it?
If it fails this “clutter test,” then it’s time to let go.
How do you clear clutter and deal with the stuff you no longer want to keep?
First, prepare several boxes. Then take everything out of a drawer or an area. Decide what to do. Unwanted items can go to one of the following boxes: a giveaway box, a recycling box, a repair box, a selling box or a trash box.
What happens once you clear the clutter out of your house?
Clearing clutter out of your house also helps you clear clutter out of your mind. It lifts up your energy and spirits. You will feel better and lighter. You will feel a renewal of energy. You will feel lighter in body, mind and spirit.
When you get rid of clutter from your house, you clear the space for something new and better. It will allow new things and new opportunities to come into your life. It will energize you and revitalize your life.
Clearing out the clutter and removing the obstacles to the harmonious flow of energy brings more harmony and balance into your life.
You will experience more freedom. Plus, you’ll feel a transformation in your life.
Adjustments made to our outer physical world can really change and improve our inner selves. If you have a clutter problem, give Feng shui a try. You could be surprised and amazed by what Feng shui can do for you.
In my next column I will share with you some additional good Feng shui practices.
[This is part 2 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 10/31/2007]
If you want to clear clutter out of your home and give your life a fresh start and get it moving again, I would recommend the book “Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui” by Karen Kingston.
As I talked about in last week’s column on Feng shui, everything in the universe is chi, or energy. For your life to go well, it is vital to have a good flow of life force energy in home and workplace.
Feng shui is all about ensuring the free flow of energy. Using Feng Shui principles can improve this energy flow.
What is clutter?
Karen lists four categories of clutter:
• Things you do not use or love.
• Things that are untidy or disorganized.
• Too many things in too small a space.
• Anything unfinished.
Clutter can "catch" energy, stopping its free circulation and turning it dull and stagnant.
The presence of clutter tends to lock up energy and prevent the flow of chi.
Chi should always be on the move. Air and energy cannot circulate where clutter exits. Clutter is stuck energy. Clutter creates an obstacle to the smooth flow of energy around a space. It drags the energy down.
“Clutter accumulates when energy stagnates and, likewise, energy stagnates when clutter accumulates. So the clutter begins as a symptom of what is happening with you in your life.”
How does clutter affect you?
According to Kingston, having clutter can cause extra cleaning. It can make you feel burdened, tired, hopeless and ashamed. It can keep you in the past and leave no room for anything new to come into your life. It can put your life on hold. It can affect your body weight.
People who have lots of clutter in their homes are often overweight. It can make you procrastinate and become disorganized. The clutter blocks your energy and makes it difficult to get yourself to do anything. It can cause disharmony and depression. It can cost you financially. It can distract you from important things in life.
Unneeded and unloved items can not only clutter your space, they can also clutter your psyche. Clutter causes problems in people’s lives.
Clutter can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you. Clutter can decrease productivity and creativity. Clutter can clog your life and hinder your progress in the world.
How do you deal with your clutter?
You can keep it, wait until you die and let your relatives sort things out. Or you can take responsibility and clear it yourself. It’s far more empowering to do it yourself.
Deciding what to keep and what to give/throw away is not an easy thing to do. Ideally everything you keep should have a valid purpose. Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide:
• Is it useful and when did you use it the last time?
• Do you absolutely love it?
• Does it make your feel uplifted and energized when you think or look at it?
If it fails this “clutter test,” then it’s time to let go.
How do you clear clutter and deal with the stuff you no longer want to keep?
First, prepare several boxes. Then take everything out of a drawer or an area. Decide what to do. Unwanted items can go to one of the following boxes: a giveaway box, a recycling box, a repair box, a selling box or a trash box.
What happens once you clear the clutter out of your house?
Clearing clutter out of your house also helps you clear clutter out of your mind. It lifts up your energy and spirits. You will feel better and lighter. You will feel a renewal of energy. You will feel lighter in body, mind and spirit.
When you get rid of clutter from your house, you clear the space for something new and better. It will allow new things and new opportunities to come into your life. It will energize you and revitalize your life.
Clearing out the clutter and removing the obstacles to the harmonious flow of energy brings more harmony and balance into your life.
You will experience more freedom. Plus, you’ll feel a transformation in your life.
Adjustments made to our outer physical world can really change and improve our inner selves. If you have a clutter problem, give Feng shui a try. You could be surprised and amazed by what Feng shui can do for you.
In my next column I will share with you some additional good Feng shui practices.
[This is part 2 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 10/31/2007]
Good Feng shui practices
My last two columns were about Feng shui and using Feng shui to clear clutter. In this column I will share with you some commonly known Feng shui practices that are considered to be good ones.
Make the front entrance to your house or workplace well lit, clean and welcoming to create a good first impression and bring in positive energy.
In Feng shui, the front entrance is called the “Mouth of Chi.” It is one of the most important areas in the house or space. It is through the Mouth of Chi that opportunities and blessings come to you.
Don’t keep clutter wedged behind the door that prevents it from opening fully. Clutter obstructs the smooth flow of life-bringing energy through your home. When you remove clutter, the energy flows more smoothly and so does your life.
Ideally, your view from your house and window should not be blocked by a tall building or wall. Otherwise you feel blocked and depressed, mentally and emotionally.
In an office environment, all of the electronic equipment and most of the modern office furniture produces a lot of “yang” energy.
When a workspace is out of balance by having too much yang energy, it can cause stress and fatigue, increasing frustration and impatience while decreasing attention spans.
You need softening yin energy to balance the yang forces. Bring in some plants to soften the space and lift up your spirit. Plants can also help absorb noisy sound from the electronic equipment.
Avoid locations that have either too fast or not enough energy flow, such as houses near a freeway or at a dead end. Buildings located directly facing straight roads, such as at the top of a T-junction or at the top of a cul-de-sac are not desirable.
Oncoming traffic and headlights aimed at your building constantly send cutting chi straight toward you.
Hang a wind chime, place a fountain or create a pond near the front entrance to counteract negative energy.
Avoid building houses in front of cemeteries, hospitals, and mortuaries.
Don’t sit with your back to the door. Your desk should face the entrance. You should be able to see who is coming into your space. Having your back face the door can make you feel vulnerable.
Facing the entrance allows you to anticipate what’s going to happen. You will be able to see what’s coming instead of being surprised.
Don’t keep a dirty laundry basket in the bedroom. Stale energy hangs around dirty laundry which can affect your sleep and your love life.
Don’t start a new marriage in a house where either one of the partners has had a bad relationship.
You should not sleep with your head pointed towards the door of the bedroom because this creates a feeling of uneasiness about who might be entering the room.
Keep tops of tables simple and clutter free. Avoid over-decorating tables with objects and clutter. Those objects represent piles of stress and bad luck you could or will be carrying. You should be able to sit at a table and have an open view in front of you.
Use objects that have the power of redirecting, reflecting or shifting energy in a space. These include mirrors, crystals, wind chimes and flowing water.
Good Chi grows with plants. Plants and flowers generate positive and vibrant Chi. Place healthy or blooming plants by the front door and in your house to make the space feel attractive.
Dry and dead flower arrangements represent dead Chi. Dying plants and flowers are worse than no plants or flowers at all. They drain energy from the space and should be removed.
Use natural sunlight, lighting fixtures, candles, fireplaces or other objects that illuminate, such as crystals and mirrors, to light up a space and your life. Lights can raise good Chi.
Gentle and soft sounds can raise Chi and make a space feel calmer and more pleasant. The gentle sound of music, the sound of moving water and wind chimes can create a pleasant, relaxed feeling.
Add a water feature such as an aquarium or a desktop fountain or waterfall to your environment. Gentle, moving water generates positive energy, lifts up your spirit and has a calming effect. Flowing water symbolizes flowing Chi and money flowing to you. That’s why most Chinese restaurants have aquariums.
These are just some examples of good Feng shui practices.
I hope you have learned something new and interesting through my recent columns on Feng shui.
If you feel inspired and want to put some ideas into practice to bring harmony and balance into your home and work life, but need a little guidance and help, you can consult a Feng shui practitioner. A Feng Shui practitioner can help you discover the changes that are appropriate for you, your home, and your life situation.
In my next column I will interview Caroline Lehman, a Feng shui practitioner in Woodbury. We will find out what she can do for you.
[This is part 3 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/07/2007]
Make the front entrance to your house or workplace well lit, clean and welcoming to create a good first impression and bring in positive energy.
In Feng shui, the front entrance is called the “Mouth of Chi.” It is one of the most important areas in the house or space. It is through the Mouth of Chi that opportunities and blessings come to you.
Don’t keep clutter wedged behind the door that prevents it from opening fully. Clutter obstructs the smooth flow of life-bringing energy through your home. When you remove clutter, the energy flows more smoothly and so does your life.
Ideally, your view from your house and window should not be blocked by a tall building or wall. Otherwise you feel blocked and depressed, mentally and emotionally.
In an office environment, all of the electronic equipment and most of the modern office furniture produces a lot of “yang” energy.
When a workspace is out of balance by having too much yang energy, it can cause stress and fatigue, increasing frustration and impatience while decreasing attention spans.
You need softening yin energy to balance the yang forces. Bring in some plants to soften the space and lift up your spirit. Plants can also help absorb noisy sound from the electronic equipment.
Avoid locations that have either too fast or not enough energy flow, such as houses near a freeway or at a dead end. Buildings located directly facing straight roads, such as at the top of a T-junction or at the top of a cul-de-sac are not desirable.
Oncoming traffic and headlights aimed at your building constantly send cutting chi straight toward you.
Hang a wind chime, place a fountain or create a pond near the front entrance to counteract negative energy.
Avoid building houses in front of cemeteries, hospitals, and mortuaries.
Don’t sit with your back to the door. Your desk should face the entrance. You should be able to see who is coming into your space. Having your back face the door can make you feel vulnerable.
Facing the entrance allows you to anticipate what’s going to happen. You will be able to see what’s coming instead of being surprised.
Don’t keep a dirty laundry basket in the bedroom. Stale energy hangs around dirty laundry which can affect your sleep and your love life.
Don’t start a new marriage in a house where either one of the partners has had a bad relationship.
You should not sleep with your head pointed towards the door of the bedroom because this creates a feeling of uneasiness about who might be entering the room.
Keep tops of tables simple and clutter free. Avoid over-decorating tables with objects and clutter. Those objects represent piles of stress and bad luck you could or will be carrying. You should be able to sit at a table and have an open view in front of you.
Use objects that have the power of redirecting, reflecting or shifting energy in a space. These include mirrors, crystals, wind chimes and flowing water.
Good Chi grows with plants. Plants and flowers generate positive and vibrant Chi. Place healthy or blooming plants by the front door and in your house to make the space feel attractive.
Dry and dead flower arrangements represent dead Chi. Dying plants and flowers are worse than no plants or flowers at all. They drain energy from the space and should be removed.
Use natural sunlight, lighting fixtures, candles, fireplaces or other objects that illuminate, such as crystals and mirrors, to light up a space and your life. Lights can raise good Chi.
Gentle and soft sounds can raise Chi and make a space feel calmer and more pleasant. The gentle sound of music, the sound of moving water and wind chimes can create a pleasant, relaxed feeling.
Add a water feature such as an aquarium or a desktop fountain or waterfall to your environment. Gentle, moving water generates positive energy, lifts up your spirit and has a calming effect. Flowing water symbolizes flowing Chi and money flowing to you. That’s why most Chinese restaurants have aquariums.
These are just some examples of good Feng shui practices.
I hope you have learned something new and interesting through my recent columns on Feng shui.
If you feel inspired and want to put some ideas into practice to bring harmony and balance into your home and work life, but need a little guidance and help, you can consult a Feng shui practitioner. A Feng Shui practitioner can help you discover the changes that are appropriate for you, your home, and your life situation.
In my next column I will interview Caroline Lehman, a Feng shui practitioner in Woodbury. We will find out what she can do for you.
[This is part 3 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/07/2007]
Speaking with a Feng shui consultant
Feng shui, an ancient Chinese wisdom, is based on how energy flows. It is both a science and an art.
Anyone can practice Feng shui, but to be a certified professional Feng shui practitioner, it requires certain education, knowledge and skills.
Caroline Lehman, a certified Feng shui practitioner in Woodbury, kindly agreed to the following interview.
What was your first experience with Feng shui?
My Feng Shui journey began ten years ago in an East Asian Religions class at Hamline University. I learned that Feng Shui is Chinese for “Wind and Water” and it is concerned with the beneficial flow of life-giving energy (Ch’i) through our environment. Feng Shui is not a religion, although it is based on the Buddhist tradition of a gentle and beautiful life.
Simply put, it is an understanding of how energy flows through the universe and how we can align ourselves to it for a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
A few years later I was able to explore this ancient art of placement in depth. I began with a class on Feng Shui and clutter clearing, taught by Feng Shui consultant Darcy McDowell.
After clearing the clutter in my home, I was absolutely amazed at how my house began to feel, and how my life began to change as a result. I realized quickly that Feng Shui offers practical, logical advice on how to create environments that encourage us.
I went on to study for two years with Carole Hyder and am now a certified Feng Shui Practitioner.
Where and how did you get your certificate?
We are very fortunate here in the Twin Cities to have an excellent school that offers a two year accreditation program that is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Higher Education.
Carole Hyder is the founder and teacher of the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui. You can find information about Carole, articles on Feng Shui, current classes being offered in the area, and enrollment information on her website: www.carolehyder.com.
I would encourage anyone interested in learning more to consider studying Feng Shui with Carole Hyder. I am not exaggerating when I say that it will open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your world.
What is your approach to Feng shui?
There are several Schools of Feng Shui. While they may differ in approach or method, all of them address the flow of ch’i in and through our environments, and they seek to balance and harmonize that energy so that our spaces support our lives.
My personal training is in the Black Sect Tradition, established by Professor Thomas Lin-Yun. This tradition is very flexible, practical, and intuitive. It focuses on four primary principles: everything is energy, your intention is the most important thing, your home reflects your life, and nature provides the patterns you need.
How do you work with a client?
A Feng Shui appointment usually begins with an introductory phone call to discuss in general terms how they came to hear about Feng Shui and what they would like to accomplish with a consultation.
Before we meet, I ask for a basic blueprint of the floor plan of their home or office, along with a list of three issues or concerns that they would like to address with Feng Shui.
I prepare a packet for them that includes general Feng Shui information as well as specific information pertaining to their home or work area. I also prepare an energy map called a Bagua that is based on their blueprint; we will refer to this during the appointment.
The appointment lasts about two hours, and during that time I ask the client to tell me about their space and how it impacts their life. I then offer my insight on how the energy is flowing, what adjustments might be appropriate to bring balance to their environment, and how Feng Shui can help address their concerns.
What do you say to someone who has clutter issues, but is too embarrassed to ask for help?
Well, first of all, we all have clutter of some kind. It seems to be something that everyone can relate to on some level. Don’t forget that my own clutter issues are what drew me to Feng Shui in the beginning, so I do understand.
Secondly, I never forget that it is an honor and a privilege to be asked into someone’s home. When I walk through your front door, it is never with the intention of judging or criticizing your situation. I am there to share all that Feng Shui offers regarding what clutter is, what it does, and why it needs to go.
I can also provide some helpful information on how to move clutter along so that new, fresh energy and possibilities can flow into your life.
I would encourage anyone who wishes to rid their life of clutter to consider Feng Shui as an effective approach to the issue. You can be free of the stuff that inhibits your energy flow and drains your life.
Who would benefit most from a Feng shui appointment?
Anyone who wants to connect with their environment in a new and meaningful way, to live with deeper intention and clarity, to address an issue from a different perspective, to create a supportive, balanced, peaceful home environment, to bring focused energy to their office, or to simply see the world with new eyes will benefit from an appointment.
Feng Shui gives you a way to initiate change and move in the direction of your goals and dreams. As a result, you will gain a fresh sensitivity to how spaces affect you, how energy flows, and how you can orient your life to live in harmony with that flow.
Besides offering home or office consultations, Lehman has also written manuals on Elemental Moving and Elemental Clearing. She is developing a line of “Elemental Purses.”
For more information or to set up a Feng Shui consultation, email Caroline@ElementalFengShui.net, or call (651) 269-3315.
[This is part 4 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/14/2007.]
Anyone can practice Feng shui, but to be a certified professional Feng shui practitioner, it requires certain education, knowledge and skills.
Caroline Lehman, a certified Feng shui practitioner in Woodbury, kindly agreed to the following interview.
What was your first experience with Feng shui?
My Feng Shui journey began ten years ago in an East Asian Religions class at Hamline University. I learned that Feng Shui is Chinese for “Wind and Water” and it is concerned with the beneficial flow of life-giving energy (Ch’i) through our environment. Feng Shui is not a religion, although it is based on the Buddhist tradition of a gentle and beautiful life.
Simply put, it is an understanding of how energy flows through the universe and how we can align ourselves to it for a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
A few years later I was able to explore this ancient art of placement in depth. I began with a class on Feng Shui and clutter clearing, taught by Feng Shui consultant Darcy McDowell.
After clearing the clutter in my home, I was absolutely amazed at how my house began to feel, and how my life began to change as a result. I realized quickly that Feng Shui offers practical, logical advice on how to create environments that encourage us.
I went on to study for two years with Carole Hyder and am now a certified Feng Shui Practitioner.
Where and how did you get your certificate?
We are very fortunate here in the Twin Cities to have an excellent school that offers a two year accreditation program that is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Higher Education.
Carole Hyder is the founder and teacher of the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui. You can find information about Carole, articles on Feng Shui, current classes being offered in the area, and enrollment information on her website: www.carolehyder.com.
I would encourage anyone interested in learning more to consider studying Feng Shui with Carole Hyder. I am not exaggerating when I say that it will open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your world.
What is your approach to Feng shui?
There are several Schools of Feng Shui. While they may differ in approach or method, all of them address the flow of ch’i in and through our environments, and they seek to balance and harmonize that energy so that our spaces support our lives.
My personal training is in the Black Sect Tradition, established by Professor Thomas Lin-Yun. This tradition is very flexible, practical, and intuitive. It focuses on four primary principles: everything is energy, your intention is the most important thing, your home reflects your life, and nature provides the patterns you need.
How do you work with a client?
A Feng Shui appointment usually begins with an introductory phone call to discuss in general terms how they came to hear about Feng Shui and what they would like to accomplish with a consultation.
Before we meet, I ask for a basic blueprint of the floor plan of their home or office, along with a list of three issues or concerns that they would like to address with Feng Shui.
I prepare a packet for them that includes general Feng Shui information as well as specific information pertaining to their home or work area. I also prepare an energy map called a Bagua that is based on their blueprint; we will refer to this during the appointment.
The appointment lasts about two hours, and during that time I ask the client to tell me about their space and how it impacts their life. I then offer my insight on how the energy is flowing, what adjustments might be appropriate to bring balance to their environment, and how Feng Shui can help address their concerns.
What do you say to someone who has clutter issues, but is too embarrassed to ask for help?
Well, first of all, we all have clutter of some kind. It seems to be something that everyone can relate to on some level. Don’t forget that my own clutter issues are what drew me to Feng Shui in the beginning, so I do understand.
Secondly, I never forget that it is an honor and a privilege to be asked into someone’s home. When I walk through your front door, it is never with the intention of judging or criticizing your situation. I am there to share all that Feng Shui offers regarding what clutter is, what it does, and why it needs to go.
I can also provide some helpful information on how to move clutter along so that new, fresh energy and possibilities can flow into your life.
I would encourage anyone who wishes to rid their life of clutter to consider Feng Shui as an effective approach to the issue. You can be free of the stuff that inhibits your energy flow and drains your life.
Who would benefit most from a Feng shui appointment?
Anyone who wants to connect with their environment in a new and meaningful way, to live with deeper intention and clarity, to address an issue from a different perspective, to create a supportive, balanced, peaceful home environment, to bring focused energy to their office, or to simply see the world with new eyes will benefit from an appointment.
Feng Shui gives you a way to initiate change and move in the direction of your goals and dreams. As a result, you will gain a fresh sensitivity to how spaces affect you, how energy flows, and how you can orient your life to live in harmony with that flow.
Besides offering home or office consultations, Lehman has also written manuals on Elemental Moving and Elemental Clearing. She is developing a line of “Elemental Purses.”
For more information or to set up a Feng Shui consultation, email Caroline@ElementalFengShui.net, or call (651) 269-3315.
[This is part 4 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/14/2007.]
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Living the Spirit of Life with Passion
Anyone who visits Spirit of Life Bible Church in Woodbury and hears Pastor Frank Sander’s messages is most likely impressed by what he/she sees and hears. Pastor Sanders is a man of stature, and more importantly, he is a man of passion.
At least that is how I feel as a former Chinese atheist, now a Christian and a new member of Spirit of Life.
I went to Spirit of Life in September 2004 because the Church was offering an 8 week study on “The 40 Days of Purpose.” I stayed with Spirit of Life because of Pastor Sanders. As a seek of many years, I had visited quite a few churches in my life before I came to Spirit of Life, but no other pastors have ever made a more powerful impression on me than Pastor Sanders.
At 6 feet, 3 inches, Pastor Sanders is a tall man. He had a career as a professional hockey player and played hockey for over 20 years. His athletic talent, his passion, and hard work led him to the pinnacle of his dreams as an athlete on the 1972 USA hockey team when it captured the Olympic Silver Medal in Sapporo, Japan. He played one year professionally with the Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Yet the success in his professional life didn’t bring the fulfillment and happiness he was looking for. Even though he reached the mountaintop and experienced great success, he still felt emptiness in his life. What he had achieved was not satisfying. He walked away from the worldly pursuit of success and happiness, and turned his life in a new direction.
At the age of 25, he committed his life to serve the Lord. He went to seminary and became a youth pastor. He worked with young people for almost 20 years and was an associate minister for several years after that.
Then another change happened that brought his faith and passion for Christ to a new level.
In 2001, Sanders and 13 other people started Spirit of Life Bible Church in Woodbury. It was a big step of faith for him and all the members, but their strong faith in God helped them take the risk and face the challenge.
Sander’s teaching and messages are always based on the truth from the Bible. They are practical and challenging. One thing is for sure. People do not feel bored when listening to his messages. His passion and excitement for God will infect, inspire and impress everyone around him.
His passion for Christ shows especially during his Sunday sermons. Psalm 100 says to “Shout for joy to the Lord” and that’s the way Sanders preaches. He literally makes a lot of joyful noises when he preaches. He can be as excited and passionate about Jesus as a sport fan is excited about watching his favorite team winning the Olympics.
A major focus of the church’s activities is the Children's Program that includes the weekly Sunday School classes and fun activities throughout the year, monthly Children's Church services, Cub Scouts, Vacation Bible School, an annual picnic, Fall Harvest party and Christmas Program.
My two children love to go to Sunday school at Spirit of Life. They love the small class size and the dedicated Sunday school teachers.
In the four plus years since the Church started, God has blessed it tremendously and membership has grown exponentially. The current church facility at Wooddale Drive is getting too small. With the big population growth in Woodbury, the congregation saw the need for a bigger church facility to accommodate the growth.
“There is a hunger for God in this community. We see a big opportunity and a huge responsibility ahead of us,“ Sanders said. “Moving into a new facility is another big step of faith, but we know that God will supply our needs. We are doing this for God’s glory. He will bless us again as He did over the last few years.”
The new church facility at 690 Commerce Drive is near Sam’s Club. The first service will take place at 10 am, Sunday, September 3. Everyone is welcome. For more information and to request a DVD about the church, visit www.SpiritOfLifeBibleChurch.org, or call 651-731-1900.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 8/30/2006]
At least that is how I feel as a former Chinese atheist, now a Christian and a new member of Spirit of Life.
I went to Spirit of Life in September 2004 because the Church was offering an 8 week study on “The 40 Days of Purpose.” I stayed with Spirit of Life because of Pastor Sanders. As a seek of many years, I had visited quite a few churches in my life before I came to Spirit of Life, but no other pastors have ever made a more powerful impression on me than Pastor Sanders.
At 6 feet, 3 inches, Pastor Sanders is a tall man. He had a career as a professional hockey player and played hockey for over 20 years. His athletic talent, his passion, and hard work led him to the pinnacle of his dreams as an athlete on the 1972 USA hockey team when it captured the Olympic Silver Medal in Sapporo, Japan. He played one year professionally with the Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Yet the success in his professional life didn’t bring the fulfillment and happiness he was looking for. Even though he reached the mountaintop and experienced great success, he still felt emptiness in his life. What he had achieved was not satisfying. He walked away from the worldly pursuit of success and happiness, and turned his life in a new direction.
At the age of 25, he committed his life to serve the Lord. He went to seminary and became a youth pastor. He worked with young people for almost 20 years and was an associate minister for several years after that.
Then another change happened that brought his faith and passion for Christ to a new level.
In 2001, Sanders and 13 other people started Spirit of Life Bible Church in Woodbury. It was a big step of faith for him and all the members, but their strong faith in God helped them take the risk and face the challenge.
Sander’s teaching and messages are always based on the truth from the Bible. They are practical and challenging. One thing is for sure. People do not feel bored when listening to his messages. His passion and excitement for God will infect, inspire and impress everyone around him.
His passion for Christ shows especially during his Sunday sermons. Psalm 100 says to “Shout for joy to the Lord” and that’s the way Sanders preaches. He literally makes a lot of joyful noises when he preaches. He can be as excited and passionate about Jesus as a sport fan is excited about watching his favorite team winning the Olympics.
A major focus of the church’s activities is the Children's Program that includes the weekly Sunday School classes and fun activities throughout the year, monthly Children's Church services, Cub Scouts, Vacation Bible School, an annual picnic, Fall Harvest party and Christmas Program.
My two children love to go to Sunday school at Spirit of Life. They love the small class size and the dedicated Sunday school teachers.
In the four plus years since the Church started, God has blessed it tremendously and membership has grown exponentially. The current church facility at Wooddale Drive is getting too small. With the big population growth in Woodbury, the congregation saw the need for a bigger church facility to accommodate the growth.
“There is a hunger for God in this community. We see a big opportunity and a huge responsibility ahead of us,“ Sanders said. “Moving into a new facility is another big step of faith, but we know that God will supply our needs. We are doing this for God’s glory. He will bless us again as He did over the last few years.”
The new church facility at 690 Commerce Drive is near Sam’s Club. The first service will take place at 10 am, Sunday, September 3. Everyone is welcome. For more information and to request a DVD about the church, visit www.SpiritOfLifeBibleChurch.org, or call 651-731-1900.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 8/30/2006]
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Allow me to introduce myself
My name is Qin Tang. I have been a resident of Woodbury since 2001 - and that’s how long I have been reading Woodbury Bulletin.
I really enjoy reading the newspaper every week to find out what’s going on in the community. Even though I read other newspapers as well, there is no other paper I am more loyal to than this one. It’s close to home and is more important to me.
In the past, I have had several articles published in the Bulletin. But that can’t be compared to what I am starting now - as a personal columnist for this award-winning newspaper.
I am so excited to become a regular writer for the paper and to make my contribution to something that has enriched my own life in the past six years.
The Bulletin's managing editor, Bob Eighmy, asked that I tell you a little bit about myself in this first column so people can know where I come from. It’s my pleasure to do so. I hope I will also get to know more people in Woodbury as a result of writing this column.
I came from China. My hometown, Suzhou, is a well known ancient city in China with a history of 2500 years. The city is renowned for its beautiful classical gardens, pagodas, stone bridges and silk industry. It is, therefore, a great tourist attraction. The city has been called the "Paradise on Earth" since ancient times and is also known as the "Venice of the East."
Suzhou currently has a pupation of a little over 6 million people. That's about one half percent of the total population in China. The city ranks No. 1 in its contracted overseas investments and is one of the most prosperous cities in China. Geographically, Suzhou is about one to two hours away from Shanghai.
I studied German at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, the Capital of China, from 1981 to1985. After graduation I got a job at the China Central Television to help start a new German language program. A year later I left for Germany for additional education on a German government scholarship. I studied at the University of Heidelberg for five years and got my MA in German in 1991.
That same year I came to the United States.
After a lot of hard work learning English and passing my "English as a second language" test, I went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, which I finished in 1994. (Yes, you do need a master’s degree to be a professional librarian. Many people are surprised to hear that.) I lived and worked in Chicago for five years before moving to Twin Cities in 1999. Since 2000 I have been working at the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation.
While I enjoy living in the US, and both of my chilldren were born here, I still feel a deep connection to my native country where I spent my first 22 years of life. I also treasure the five years I lived in Germany. I would consider myself a resident of Woodbury and a citizen of the world.
I am so looking forward to sharing with you what’s on my mind. The great thing about being a personal columnist is I can write almost whatever I want. As Bob Eighmy said: “The sky's the limit.”
I know I will write articles related to children and school. You will hear a lot about my two children, Andy, 8 and Amy, 6, who both attend Liberty Ridge Elementary School.
I will write about things related to China. Even though I left China 20 years ago, China is still close to my heart.
I will write about books I read since I like to read every day. There is nothing I enjoy doing more than reading and writing.
I will write about issues related to this community.
Most of all, I will write whatever inspires me, whatever is dear to my heart, whatever is on my mind. I hope you will enjoy my column and my writing.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/8/2006]
I really enjoy reading the newspaper every week to find out what’s going on in the community. Even though I read other newspapers as well, there is no other paper I am more loyal to than this one. It’s close to home and is more important to me.
In the past, I have had several articles published in the Bulletin. But that can’t be compared to what I am starting now - as a personal columnist for this award-winning newspaper.
I am so excited to become a regular writer for the paper and to make my contribution to something that has enriched my own life in the past six years.
The Bulletin's managing editor, Bob Eighmy, asked that I tell you a little bit about myself in this first column so people can know where I come from. It’s my pleasure to do so. I hope I will also get to know more people in Woodbury as a result of writing this column.
I came from China. My hometown, Suzhou, is a well known ancient city in China with a history of 2500 years. The city is renowned for its beautiful classical gardens, pagodas, stone bridges and silk industry. It is, therefore, a great tourist attraction. The city has been called the "Paradise on Earth" since ancient times and is also known as the "Venice of the East."
Suzhou currently has a pupation of a little over 6 million people. That's about one half percent of the total population in China. The city ranks No. 1 in its contracted overseas investments and is one of the most prosperous cities in China. Geographically, Suzhou is about one to two hours away from Shanghai.
I studied German at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, the Capital of China, from 1981 to1985. After graduation I got a job at the China Central Television to help start a new German language program. A year later I left for Germany for additional education on a German government scholarship. I studied at the University of Heidelberg for five years and got my MA in German in 1991.
That same year I came to the United States.
After a lot of hard work learning English and passing my "English as a second language" test, I went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, which I finished in 1994. (Yes, you do need a master’s degree to be a professional librarian. Many people are surprised to hear that.) I lived and worked in Chicago for five years before moving to Twin Cities in 1999. Since 2000 I have been working at the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation.
While I enjoy living in the US, and both of my chilldren were born here, I still feel a deep connection to my native country where I spent my first 22 years of life. I also treasure the five years I lived in Germany. I would consider myself a resident of Woodbury and a citizen of the world.
I am so looking forward to sharing with you what’s on my mind. The great thing about being a personal columnist is I can write almost whatever I want. As Bob Eighmy said: “The sky's the limit.”
I know I will write articles related to children and school. You will hear a lot about my two children, Andy, 8 and Amy, 6, who both attend Liberty Ridge Elementary School.
I will write about things related to China. Even though I left China 20 years ago, China is still close to my heart.
I will write about books I read since I like to read every day. There is nothing I enjoy doing more than reading and writing.
I will write about issues related to this community.
Most of all, I will write whatever inspires me, whatever is dear to my heart, whatever is on my mind. I hope you will enjoy my column and my writing.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/8/2006]
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A special adoption journey
International adoption is neither new nor rare. It seems like everyone knows someone who has adopted a child from another country. But how many people would consider adopting a special needs child even though they already have three children of their own? Probably not many. Yet the Countrymans did just that.
Tina and Steve Countryman are a couple blessed with three healthy children: Abby, 12, Luke, 10 and Zeke, 7. They are not only busy with their own children, they also have their hands full with over 50 Hmong teenagers in the St. Paul Urban Ministry that the couple leads. The family resides in St. Paul, but attend Woodbury Church of Christ.
The Countryman’s ties to Asia go back to the time from 1991 to 1996 when they were missionaries in Thailand. Abby and Luke Countryman were born there. They all have a big heart of love for the Asian people. They also feel a strong desire to help a child in need of a loving home and to share their love with those less fortunate. This led them to adopting a girl from China. Her name is Phoebe.
The idea became clear in the summer of 2004. They contacted a national adoption agency. But it didn’t work out, because they didn't meet the financial requirements.
Steve and Tina didn’t give up. They kept praying and seeking God’s help.
Then in the spring of 2005, they heard about a different adoption agency, All God's Children International. They approached this agency with their request to adopt a healthy girl from China. The agency was willing to give it a try. It asked Chinese officials if adoption was possible even though financial requirement was not met. When these officials agreed, they took that as God's clear direction for them.
They began their paperwork process by the end of the summer. In December 2005, the adoption took a new twist when the agency asked them if they would be willing to adopt a special needs girl who had been diagnosed with congenital small eyeballs.
After much talking and praying they agreed. Travel dates were March 3 to 17. It was a very emotional experience for them.
One of their most unforgettable moments came when they visited the orphanage where Phoebe lived. It was the Yanping District Children's Welfare Institute in Fujian Province, China.
To physically stand among the children at the orphanage, to reach out and stroke their faces, hold their hands and know how much they needed a home, was really hard to take in. They wished they could bring them all home, but all they could do was to try to just touch each child, talk to each one in their bed and say a silent prayer that someday each of the children would find a home and could leave the orphanage just like Phoebe did. God brought comfort in walking through the gates at the end with Phoebe in their arms, knowing that Phoebe didn't have to sleep there any more.
While the hard part of the trip was seeing all the kids at the orphanage, a different perspective presented itself a few days later at the American consulate in Guangzhou. A group of people with adopted children gathered to finish their paperwork for the children to go to the United States. They were all beaming.
Though there were many more still left behind, it was encouraging to see all these kids being placed in families who want and love them.
Back in the United States, Phoebe has been checked by two eye doctors. She was diagnosed with bilateral blepharophimosis syndrome, which has to do with the eyelids themselves. She had her first eye surgery on Aug. 30. Later in life, doctors will perform more involved surgery.
The family received two grants to cover the costs of the adoption, one from Shaohannah's Hope and one from LYDIA Fund. Likewise, the Countryman’s church family at Woodbury Church of Christ provided lots of prayer and support.
Their adoption journal can be viewed online at http://www.myladybugjournal.com/files/Countryman/countrymanHOME.html
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 9/13/2006]
Tina and Steve Countryman are a couple blessed with three healthy children: Abby, 12, Luke, 10 and Zeke, 7. They are not only busy with their own children, they also have their hands full with over 50 Hmong teenagers in the St. Paul Urban Ministry that the couple leads. The family resides in St. Paul, but attend Woodbury Church of Christ.
The Countryman’s ties to Asia go back to the time from 1991 to 1996 when they were missionaries in Thailand. Abby and Luke Countryman were born there. They all have a big heart of love for the Asian people. They also feel a strong desire to help a child in need of a loving home and to share their love with those less fortunate. This led them to adopting a girl from China. Her name is Phoebe.
The idea became clear in the summer of 2004. They contacted a national adoption agency. But it didn’t work out, because they didn't meet the financial requirements.
Steve and Tina didn’t give up. They kept praying and seeking God’s help.
Then in the spring of 2005, they heard about a different adoption agency, All God's Children International. They approached this agency with their request to adopt a healthy girl from China. The agency was willing to give it a try. It asked Chinese officials if adoption was possible even though financial requirement was not met. When these officials agreed, they took that as God's clear direction for them.
They began their paperwork process by the end of the summer. In December 2005, the adoption took a new twist when the agency asked them if they would be willing to adopt a special needs girl who had been diagnosed with congenital small eyeballs.
After much talking and praying they agreed. Travel dates were March 3 to 17. It was a very emotional experience for them.
One of their most unforgettable moments came when they visited the orphanage where Phoebe lived. It was the Yanping District Children's Welfare Institute in Fujian Province, China.
To physically stand among the children at the orphanage, to reach out and stroke their faces, hold their hands and know how much they needed a home, was really hard to take in. They wished they could bring them all home, but all they could do was to try to just touch each child, talk to each one in their bed and say a silent prayer that someday each of the children would find a home and could leave the orphanage just like Phoebe did. God brought comfort in walking through the gates at the end with Phoebe in their arms, knowing that Phoebe didn't have to sleep there any more.
While the hard part of the trip was seeing all the kids at the orphanage, a different perspective presented itself a few days later at the American consulate in Guangzhou. A group of people with adopted children gathered to finish their paperwork for the children to go to the United States. They were all beaming.
Though there were many more still left behind, it was encouraging to see all these kids being placed in families who want and love them.
Back in the United States, Phoebe has been checked by two eye doctors. She was diagnosed with bilateral blepharophimosis syndrome, which has to do with the eyelids themselves. She had her first eye surgery on Aug. 30. Later in life, doctors will perform more involved surgery.
The family received two grants to cover the costs of the adoption, one from Shaohannah's Hope and one from LYDIA Fund. Likewise, the Countryman’s church family at Woodbury Church of Christ provided lots of prayer and support.
Their adoption journal can be viewed online at http://www.myladybugjournal.com/files/Countryman/countrymanHOME.html
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 9/13/2006]
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