Fall Reset. The Benefits Of Letting Go.

“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”
– Eckhart Tolle

Do you love the radiance of an autumn day? Are you inspired by a vibrant landscape of deep reds and brilliant oranges? Do you relish cool crisp evenings of a physical richness that warms your bones like smelling crossed buns baking in the oven, you snuggled in a fuzzy sweater sipping on hot tea by a fire where you turn your attention to holiday preparation?

But did you know seasonal changes have a universal importance as well? Letting go in Autumn what you have accumulated aligns with Nature’s time. It aligns your mind and your body’s internal clock which is important to your mental and physical health.

In technology a reset “clears any pending errors or events and brings a system to normal condition”. I believe a reset to your house resets the karma of pending errors you may have inherited with your home. We see Nature resetting when leaves take their flight and trees reveal their fabulous bones in preparation for Winter rest and new life in Spring. This is humans visual cue to do the same.

At the root of a reset is release. In Chinese cosmology, Fall is the Metal Season, it is called Rising Yin and the time of year to nourish Yin energy. This season is for purging and purifying your home.  The act of clutter clearing becomes elevated to a cosmological attunement that aligns with Fall in the Five Seasons. Its place is true and meaningful in the regeneration of life.

Opening the channels in your space and opening the channels in your mind, body and spirit elevate your emotional state and create a lightness of being. BSTB purification rituals and ceremonies avail you of living in the receptive mode (“to receive” is the meaning of Yin energy) where all possibilities manifest. Think back to the opportunities, objects and relationships that were beyond your grasp over the year. A reset gives you a second chance. Before the end of October if you would focus on self care and letting go of your stuff you would see with clearer vision what is right for you. Here are methods to help you get started.

Let go first in your mind. To create a smooth process of clearing closets, drawers, the basement and garage, clear worry and anxiety from your mind. Go to bed and in the drowsy state visualize a positive vision of what you look forward to–a trip, a funny movie–whatever lightens your mind. Then see the things you love but have difficulty letting go find their way into boxes and bins, perhaps going to a friend or neighbor whom you know would be excited to receive them. You will wake up with an energized mental attitude and be more able to face the day. Do this over a period of nine nights (the number of completion and peak accomplishment). 

Clear away energetic residue next. The walls in your home retain predecessor energy unless a space blessing has been performed. Painting the walls is one level of energy clearing but for a deeper karmic cleanse I recommend “Changing the Ch’i Of The House And Transforming The Fortunes For Individuals And Residences”. The purpose is letting go the remains of old patterns, resentments and vendettas. Oranges, (lemon is stronger to expel evil spirits. Orange has a hint of auspiciousness that lemon does not have), mantras, your visualization and intention will evict any misfortune and replace it with positive, prosperous, auspicious Ch’i. Inquire with me how you can attain this time honored ceremony. Nine red envelopes are requested.

Seek balance. You too can benefit from the stringent yet refreshing quality of citrus. During the day stress accumulates in your energy. Before you can adequately release the things you have been holding onto, your mind needs to be clear. Bathe in an orange peel bath (where lemons calm, lighten and refresh, oranges are auspicious and bring good fortune). Cut nine circles from the skin of an orange, soak them in a bowl. Pour them into  warm bath water and wash your entire body, even your head. Orange’s clarifying essence removes worry and uplifts your Ch’i, helping you to balance.

See new possibilities. Place a mirror on the wall at the foot of the bed. It will allow you to see all the potential resolutions to your problems related to letting go. Set it with this intention and you will feel energized and your results will reflect your enthusiasm.

Nourish your stamina. You live in the residue of yesterday’s thought. When you avoid making a decision hold your hands left over right, thumbs together and palms up over your tan’tien (at the level of your navel). Take in a deep breath in through your mouth and visualize universal light, positive Ch’i and good luck enter and circulate throughout your body and all your cells. Exhale in eight short puffs with the last one, ninth, expelling all the negative Ch’i, bad luck and obstacles. Repeat nine times and finish with a mantra of your choice.

Ready to release. Start with five minutes at a time. This allows you to mindfully build the momentum. Give one item away a day, next day two and increase the number each day. Take the 9-9-9 challenge. Identify nine items you want to donate and nine items to be returned to their proper home. Use the four box method. One for trash, give away, keep or re-locate. Enter a room in your home and place each item into one of the following boxes. Don’t skip a single one. The Feng Shui methods I have shared will help you identify more quickly what you love and what someone else will benefit by.

Vitality for your utmost passions. Preparing your home and your mind, connects you with your senses. When the above methods are performed daily for nine days (think of creating a morning ritual with them), you by-pass the mental processes that keep you in a resistance loop. Your energy becomes liberated from your emotions. Your enthusiasm increases. Your mind is not detained by distractions. With an orderly home you can now focus your energy on the things you enjoy instead of what you worry about. Your health is optimized and the universal part of it, your subconscious mind, will respond to your will and requests.

Allow me to help you arrange your home where you feel fully supported. I am available for a full consultation service or for an hour telephone conversation. Details for Feng Shui a La Carte are at  Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Feng Shui design rejuvenates and replenishes your Ch’i. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

Feng Shui Miracles

“Always throw split salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck and fall in love whenever you can.”
– Unknown

Eighteen years ago Feng Shui opened my eyes to a world of energy that lies below our awareness yet has the power to impact our environment, our relationships, our attitude and our future. It also produces miracles when nurtured. How do I know? Barbara’s story tells it best.

Barbara had fallen in love with a craftsman style home here in Portland and wanted to get started right away on aligning the energy with her lifestyle. Before the sale was finalized she requested a Feng Shui consultation. I gave her ideas about her home’s design but before I left we stepped into the backyard. I saw the entangled Ch’i from the previous owner’s neglect: the dark, overgrown vegetation; broken, rotting fence and the presence of hungry ghosts.

Aware of how it looked she wasn’t aware of what it meant and when I shared this, her eyes got very big. Instead of reacting Barbara dug in (literally for ten months) to do what she needed to create the paradise she envisioned. Once she moved she asked me to return to perform space blessings. I brought my ceremonial bowl, rituals, mantras, prayers and she supplied the high proof liquor, the rice, the special powders and the intention to bless her property. Together we made what we call in BTB Feng Shui “sacred food” to feed the “hungry ghosts” because Barbara was determined to start on the right foot.

We walked the property, chanted blessings and offered sacred food all the while asking the spirits to be well fed and leave, or stay and be helpful friends. Pretty uneventful until we stepped into the backyard where I tripped on “air”, the bowl flipped out of my hands and the rice went flying. A trickster hungry ghost had no intention of leaving. Fortunately we retrieved most of the rice, I got my composure back and we persevered. It nearly happened a second time. This was definitely a tenacious spirit. After we completed the ceremonies, I suggested that Barbara perform this same one over the next two days to strengthen the work we had done.

Before I continue I believe it’s important to share a synchronous moment prior to my arrival. As I was driving to Barbara’s home a crow flew alongside my car at my head height for a good distance. After I left the consultation, I consulted the I-Ching and shared with Barbara what I had received: Hexagram 27, what Willhelm Baynes calls“The Corners of the Mouth” (Toltec I-Ching calls it “Trusting Intuition”)
The Judgement explained:
The corners of the mouth.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Pay heed to the providing of nourishment.
And to what a man seeks
To fill his own mouth with. 

Crows are shape shifters, their presence helped us shape shift the land. Barbara replied. “There was a really big energy shift right after I finished the last ceremony yesterday and in the morning crows were in in my front yard eating the rice! I got the sense they were taking it to another dimension, helping to shift and transform the energies.”

Over the months Barbara and her husband nourished the land with blessing ceremonies, cleared gnarly areas, removed invasive species, installed a new fence, met with the neighbors and planted their dream garden. Throughout they resolved to keep their hearts in the right place, be good stewards and be a positive influence for the neighborhood. 

And it worked!
Ten months later here are a few of what Barbara calls her “miracles”and what Feng Shui  would call “good fortune”. “We felt a huge shift once we put the plants in the area where the blueberries are. We met the owner of the apartments and it turns out we have a lot in common and he’s very much on board for cleaning up. During the time we were out of town, he removed the trees along the fence line and cleared out the brambly mess. He thought he might put up a storage shed but also mentioned selling the property. He told us it was his health that has kept him working on it. Another miracle: is before we moved here I wished that a yoga studio would be walking distance from my house. A new yoga studio opened nearby! And so far, I’ve liked every teacher. And it’s a few minutes walk from my house!”

I never underestimate the power of Nature to communicate and that all we need to do is open our hearts to Ch’i and listen with my eyes to discover miracles.

Happy Summer Solstice! May summer hold miracles for you.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”.. start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

January 9 New Moon I Holy Cow!

“We rise by lifting others.”
–Robert Ingorsoll

Will this new moon bring a horns of a dilemma or a precautionary tail?  The last month before Chinese Lunar New Year is referred to as the “tail end of the year”. For the next 28 days take time to be aware. Take a sniff, look about and when the coast is clear, tread softly and lend an ear. A kind word can curb that cute curly Ram tail from sending you high flying. 

Ox loves to help. The beautiful bovine is steady, practical, perseveres and has great strength, qualities that serve us in meeting life’s challenges. With the post holiday stress it is the perfect time to take account of how you feel. But it requires that you slow down. One way is to fit a few moments of exercise into your lifestyle. Not as a resolution but an opportunity to listen to your body. Go for something different: a yoga program, walking the neighbor’s dog, swimming at the community pool….The social time and the good it does for your body and spirit enliven your Ch’i. Choose something that energizes you and you enjoy and most of all invite a friend to join you. The mantra, “I am committed to my well being.” can also read, ”I am committed to my friend’s well being too.”

A bit of divine guidance can bring fruitful results. Here are soundbites for you in the Month of the Ox. Rat: the Heavens are watching. If you working diligently, Helpful People will come to your aide. “Once you have gathered a favorable time, an advantageous locality and the support of the people involved, prosperity will come to you.” Ox: it’s a mixed bag. Some good luck, some not so good. Watch your spending and financial loss. At work avoid getting into fights. Perform a good deed each day to turn events in your favor. Tiger: celebrations and worries. Good luck and bad. Your career is going well but take precaution against exhaustion. You may find friends and family turn against you. Meet it head on and resolve the matter. Rabbit: big emotional ups and downs but if you chant the Heart Calming Mantra, Gate Gate Para Gate, Para Sam Gate Bodhi Swaha, nine times, you will have the clarity to be objective and come to a resolution. Perform good deeds to help you get past any adversity. Dragon: a month to be flexible and open minded but know to quit when you are ahead. Avoid talking about others and listening to rumors. Snake: a Three Harmony month! Bad luck turns good and your spirits are lifted. If you want to win an argument use tolerance and appeal to the other person’s senses. Don’t visit funerals or grave sites. Horse: you luck has gone south. Work through issues in a low profile and diligent manner. Focus on family harmony, arguments may bring you bad luck. Ram: a month of “Direct Conflict”. Beware of financial loss and traffic accidents. Do not take risks with investments that appear precarious. Monkey: overall you are lucky and everything goes well. Help others gladly, perform a good deed daily to accumulate virtue and increase your merits. Rooster: a Three Harmony month! Everything should run smoothly. Prosperity is yours. Listen to experts for advice, especially in the case of your career. And help out with the health of a family member. Dog: a ”Mutually Offensive” month. Take time for self reflection and correct your mistakes. Blaming others is like spitting in the wind, it comes back to you. Pig: though you receive a lot of money this month be aware of unknown disasters.

Chinese Lunar Year’s Eve is February 7, 2016. In my next blog I will share an opportunity for you to join in the celebrations, Zodiac Friends! May all your wishes come true!

Thank you to Khadro Crystal Chu, Black Sect Esoteric Buddhist Feng Shui for your unfailing command of Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics.

Have questions about your home? Design it with vitality and beauty and feel at ease with Feng Shui A La Carte.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.