Category Archives: Columns

On the 2009 Chinese Middle Kingdom Tour my respected colleagues Helen and James Jay, experts on Feng Shui, escorted me. They have traveled extensively throughout many countries including China for many years, so this trip was referred to as “20- something,” although they admitted each experience is unique. China offers much to the Feng Shui student who, with the turn of a head in any direction, can observe exquisitely detailed designs created in the architecture, buildings and gardens. Using the 5 Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water through color, shape, smell and taste is to understand this ancient concept. Mountains, rivers, walkways and temples reflect Heaven and Earth. I had originally planned to take some of my students to this land of mystery, but opted out when I found the Jays where taking a group a few months later. I decided to shift my plans and travel with them. That way, they had to handle all the hard stuff and I could relax and enjoy the trip. This was a perfect decision on my part, as I watched them do what they do best. We benefited by their knowledge of the country, introducing us to “out-of-the-way” mystical places which tourists rarely find. Enjoy this quick debriefing about my latest journey to Asia…

I’m just home from China tired but happy. This was my third trip to Asia. It was a luscious three weeks, and I have lots of stories to share and some to save and keep close to my heart. We went back to some of the temples I had visited before and burned incense at the Yong He Gong (Lama Temple) in Beijing and the Medicine Buddha Temple (Lin Ying) near Hangzhou, acknowledging my return to this country and having the ability to be one with the people during this visit. Many visitors now flock to China, isolated in huge buses, stopping only where their travel agents want them to spend money. The tourist traps are many, going from one location to another, people filing in and out like cattle on a truck. I find humbling yourself to the rules of a foreign country and blending in as much as possible works best for me. I learn a few words and lots of sign language, and we both get a good laugh from my antics! People are people most anywhere, and when you find that connection, the rest comes easily. I tend to wander off from the group to find China, and get lost on mountains and in cities. Bowing is a good thing when all else fails, so I found myself bowing a lot!

There were many new experiences this trip, some surreal, while others gave the sense that all humans are related and the world is not that big. Families are families with the same wants and desires. The devotion to children is global, and the quickest way to warm the hearts of strangers is to smile at their children and wave a lot. Wide-eyed babies stared at our Western eyes and curly hair. Cute split pants with little pink bottoms peeking out, as natural as sunshine, continue to be used instead of diapers, a quick solution to baby’s potty break and help with the world’s land fills. Chinese families on National Holiday requested photographs with us, positioning their one and only child prominently “center stage” with the strange-looking foreigners. Bonding was instant when children smiled and pointed at our strange skin, overly tall women, blonde hair, blue eyes and strange clothing.

Just as the mountain peaks held mystic magic, cities swarmed with new construction and modern technology to the max. Old neighborhoods were being torn down at a rapid rate, guaranteeing three or four living generations a new sky-high-rise apartment and running water, as generations leave the old way of life behind. In Beijing, the Hutong District is next in line to be removed. We were told, “If you want to visit this unique Chinese way of living, you must plan to come soon, because it will be torn down. It is too hard and not sanitary to live in this place.” Mixed feelings come to the surface. “Who will question and protect young girls from strange boyfriends coming down the dusty road but our neighbors?” the old people ask when strangers come into their streets. “What is your name, who are your people, your clothes are not nice enough, you should be ashamed to come into our place to find a girlfriend. Get out!” they may say. Protecting their families from strangers and expecting only the best, they guard each other in the district. Many who live here have rarely traveled a mile or two from home.

Shanghai (pronounced Shonghai) and Beijing are huge cities, but are as different as night and day. Beijing feels like the earth itself, while Shanghai bubbles and blinks day and night. The Fire of lights and nightly fireworks is exciting, but after four days in this city, I was glad to find rest at the hotel. I dined at the top of the revolving sky dome and stood in line at a Hagen Daws for 20 minutes to sample a scoop of mango delight, and had noodle soup in the slums with a friend all in one day. Not one word of English was understood. Pointing or walking across a crowed room to show what is needed is the best way. We certainly entertained the locals, made memories and lived to tell about it. What could be more exciting? The night markets offers everything from meat on sticks to hot boiling soups and tea, antiques and junk. Massages are gifts from the Gods, very affordable. I indulged often to sooth my swollen feet.

Swarms of bodies move through the streets in Shanghai like a never-ending huge river, weaving in, out, back and forth. The sound of voices from thousands of people resembled a loud, high pitch of a bee swarm. I continued to look upward toward the never-ending skyscrapers guiding me toward my hotel or a familiar herbal pharmacy. After getting lost and separated from my colleagues on my first China trip, I decided to carry a local cell phone, but it didn’t always work. I learned quickly to go with the flow and memorize the designs of the building tops. Each mammoth building had its own style and Feng Shui lines. Beijing’s freeways, although very exciting, gave way to mile after mile of square Earth-shaped buildings. People dressed conservatively, reflecting the seriousness of the ancient city. The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Confusion Temple, Great Wall and Summer Place brought back memories of my last trip to this place, and the many beautiful gardens held secrets from the past. I flew in a few days early before the tour began to experience Beijing’s famous subways, shopping, food and people, and to revisit favorite places.

Adventures continued as our Feng Shui group tour went south and deeper into the sacred mountains of Jiuhuashan via a flight to Nanjing. Surprises became the norm, such as being invited into the private quarters of a monastery, sitting on a monk’s bed in his very sparse room, and conversing mostly sign language with this devoted soul. While others of the group climbed to the very top of the mountain, I stayed behind with Helen and James to be part of this rare experience. A single light bulb hung from a cord in a dark small room, maybe 8′ x 12′, while little billows of clouds drifted through the ornate opened window and a laptop set on top of a dingy little table. More later.

To be flexible is to be rewarded. Each day I asked the powers that be, “Allow me to be in the right place at the right time,” and it was amazing to see what happened. Letting go of the outcome and following the Chi was golden. I was usually alone when answers to old questions paid me a visit. It seems getting away from our normal routines, and busy lives, our Chi changes with the land of sky of a place. Many spiritual doors opened while being “lost” or climbing on ancient steps to high temples in the drizzling mist. With each step, I left behind old ideas, old habits and old thinking. The layers fell away easily in the mountain air. Then stillness spoke of my new beginnings.

I have spent many hours in airports during my life waiting for those magical flying machines to take me places in hours, compared to weeks and sometimes years it would have taken our ancestors to journey. We have become a society of impatient spoiled beings who want immediate results. I decided to use the current airport delay of eight hours for some needed R&R. I would shop, dine, rest, read and visit, and exchange news with other Feng Shui colleagues from the Bay Area, who were also waiting on one of the most exciting trips to where Feng Shui roots begin over 5000 years ago.

Leaving for China via San Francisco was a decision based on my visa and passport temporary misinformation, as my first name is Mary, and this can be a source of confusion at times on legal documents. I needed to be at the point of departure with the tour guide to claim I was the same person on both documents. I also figured there must be another reason I was meant to leave out of that airport, and that the importance of this side-tracked direction would unfold in due time.

When living in the San Francisco area for over 15 years, I never had time to actually get to know other practitioners devoted to the Art of Placement as we were all running separate directions with our businesses.

My first surprise was to recognize one of the original students and disciples of Professor Lin Yun, Master of Black Sect Tibetan Buddhism Feng Shui in the world. She has been chosen by His Holiness to record and keep records of all of his teachings. I call Katherine Metz, Keeper of the Secrets. Her upcoming book on Feng Shui will certainly be a bestseller as she has devoted her life to listening with a golden ear. Katherine is currently living and working in New York City and teaching Feng Shui is unique ways, in person and correspondence.

Katherine was visiting with her family who lives in San Francisco, so was flying out of this famous California city. Soon Catherine Dawson, with healing energy and compassion and a smile to go, rolled her suitcase into the circle of pioneers. Marina Lighthouse, our delightful musical upbeat lady of Feng Shui, also has a practice in THE CITY. We have both worked with Deborah Gee, who produced the popular PBS Feng Shui special with Professor Lin that has aired for the last three years during pledge drives in the Bay Area. Stay tuned for Marina’s new musical CD coming soon. Steven Post, a 30-year devoted figure of world religion and knowledge and head of the GEO school of Feng Shui, joined the waiting group. His lovable side emerged as his Feng Shui jokes later became the talk of the bus!

Excitement filled the airport lobbies as other well-known authors and teachers such as David Kennedy and others hugged friends and acquaintances. An immediate bond of good karma brought together a combined abundance of Feng Shui experience to be shared during our three weeks as “a family.” It was soon apparent why I was to use San Francisco as my base as the days progressed. Friendships grew as like minds shared in their experiences, as practitioners, doctors, nurses, lawyers, therapists, teachers, world business leaders, realtors, artists, and professors joined the growing tour.

There were many times safety was involved, and we knew instinctively if any one was missing from the bus of 30-plus travelers. Two buses held over 70 people, and we were of one mind as the itinerary of the journey begin.

Finally the aircraft was in the sky. It was 9 p.m. Pacific Time and we were on our way to the other side of the world. I was delighted to find I not only had an aisle seat, but two more vacant seats next to my tired body. “God was surely in favor of this trip,” I surmised, “he gave me two vacant seats as a gift, wasn’t that proof enough?” I fluffed up my jacket and purse, leaned over and went quickly to sleep. “Only 11 hours to go!!!” I whispered to myself.