by Joani Nunez

Driving up the California coast, at least the parts that hadn’t been closed by El Nino induced mud slides, I couldn’t help but appreciate a certain irony. The very part of the country that initially introduced Feng Shui to the rest of us, the state that advanced practitioners return to again and again for more training, is experiencing one heck of a Feng Shui wallop!

Looking at relatively new homes sliding off the edge of immense, crumbling cliffs, it was readily apparent; none of these people bothered to consult a Feng Shui practitioner before building their multimillion dollar houses. Entire stretches of highway were buried under tons of rock and mud. Miles of mountainside were covered in heavy black plastic and metal mesh netting in awkward and futile attempts to force these mountains to remain where people thought they should. Nature just shrugged and laughed and continued to squirm around.

Hopefully, these kinds of experiences will one day be a thing of the past. As we learn to listen to the earth, read her rhythms and needs and wishes, and then build in harmony with her, we will no longer be slam dunked by our own selfishness and ignorance.

In the realm of Feng Shui assignments, one of my favorites is being hired to work with a project from its very inception. Choosing and then blessing the land, finding the perfect location for the building, determining the most beneficial direction to face the structure, dowsing for the geopathic zones, helping to determine the design of the house and the floor plan all ensure good Feng Shui for the owners. Their lives will flourish and prosper, and the land will love and embrace them. They’ll never experience, either literally or energetically, being flung off a cliff or buried under rubble.

One of the things that does jump out at you as you drive the coast of California is an awareness of how the Form School of Feng Shui came into being. You can see the sleeping Dragons in the land, and the protective Turtle backing up a structure. There were many examples of "perfect" Form School Feng Shui, right down to the panoramic open vista which the Phoenix needs for flight. It is truly a beautiful land, one that’s willing to "work" with and protect those who build consciously upon her.

The other thing that struck me was an awareness of the mountain chi as it flows down to the surrounding valleys. These valleys then become the receptacle of this streaming and pooling chi. The life force is incredible, and it’s here that miles and miles of crops are grown. The artichoke that you’re having for dinner was more than likely being bathed in that river of nourishing chi just last week. Again and again I was flooded with the feeling of reverence for this incredible land.

My final stop was San Francisco and studies with Grand Master Lin Yun. The Master’s private shrine is built atop a very steep hill. There are 46 steps that carry you to the front door. When you reach the top and turn around, you suddenly and easily understand why the Black Sect School of Feng Shui places so much importance on dominant or controlling guas. You understand why lamaseries are built on top of mountains. The energy and power of the location are palpable.

Feng Shui was essentially "dead" in its own culture, ignored at best, persecuted and stamped out at worst. Small pockets of practitioners had managed to survive over time, but it was dying knowledge. The location of the Master’s temple is no accident. It is no wonder that from this powerful vantage point, Master Lin Yun has successfully awakened and re-introduced Feng Shui to the world. Every school of Feng Shui owes this great being a debt of gratitude.

And so, until next month, many blessings and much happiness. To participate in the Feng Shui Forum, please fax me at 713-861-9243, e-mail me at joani@wt.net, or call me at 713-861-0903 with your questions or contributions. I look forward to hearing from you soon!