Feng Shui Q & A

ANGRY DAUGHTER

Dear Distraught,

I am sorry that you spent a large amount of money on a non-traditional form of Feng Shui and so-called cures that had no effect. Nevertheless, traditional vs. non-traditional Feng Shui is not the issue here. You are entirely barking up the wrong tree in trying to resolve things with your daughter.

The only way to work things out with your daughter is to speak with her directly. You have not really listened to her. This is made clear by your referring to her viewpoints as "nonsense".

Take your daughter to lunch and be honest with her. Tell her that this situation is upsetting to you and has made you aware that the problems between you and she are very serious. Ask her what you can do to start rebuilding a truly close relationship with her. Then really listen without arguing or contradicting her. Her feelings are important and must be treated with respect.

Do not meet her with a specific agenda, such as being determined to go to the wedding. Meet her with a sincere open mind and heart and a desire to be closer to her. The wedding invitation may come. But, in either case, know that you are starting on the road to a better relationship with your daughter and that is more important than any single day, even her wedding day.

And to answer your question directly, no, there is no cure that anyone can sell you which will resolve this situation. It will take work on your part to get to know your adult daughter and to build a new relationship with her based on honesty, understanding and mutual respect.

SYSTEM NOT WORKING

I am in a lot of fear about global warming and the coming scarcity of energy. It seems that we are living in a system that is not really working. Our leaders look to war as the solution to almost every problem, and they do not even deal with the real problems that are so urgent. I try to do my part to make this a better world, such as recycling, conserving energy, talking to people about my fears, and joining groups of like-minded people.

Dear May,

Despite appearances, the "system" is functioning perfectly and is in perfect harmony. The real system that we are living in is our universe and our world here on earth, both of which are working fine. The universe is infinitely larger than the little politicians making wars and playing political games. Fear is not necessary and serves no essential purpose. There’s nothing we need do except to focus on that which is real and not on that which is illusory. We are surrounded by good energy and nothing will throw it out of kilter. The value of the dollar may go up and down, as well as the price of oil. The world will go through cycles of war and peace, nations will become friends then enemies and then friends again and individuals will do the same. There are those who say it’s too late to reverse global warming and others who say that it’s a false issue that should be ignored. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Global warming is real and largely man-made, but it is not at all too late to reverse the ongoing climate change. The world is not fundamentally changing and universal principles will not change. We human beings have a lot of creativity and imagination and we can find ways around the little crises that come up. We need only remember to see them as relatively insignificant. For example, I was very inspired to read the other day that Israel has a serious plan to switch to all electric vehicles in the next several years. The human mind can find a way to overcome absolutely anything, because each one of us is part of a vast and limitless intelligence that we can tap into.

MAIN DOOR ON SIDE OF HOUSE

Dear Needing,

The ideal remedy may be difficult to implement. This would involve placing a large round or oval mirror on the side of your neighbor’s house that would reflect both your door and the front yard of your house.

The alternative to the above is to place a small pa kua mirror above your door. A pa kua mirror is a small mirror surrounded by symbols in a very specific format. It has the power to deflect negative energy. Pa kua mirrors must be selected with the help of someone who knows what to look for in an authentic one. Most pa kua mirrors that are sold off the shelf in Chinatown shops are made incorrectly and do nothing. Pa kua mirrors come in flat, concave and convex versions, each used for a different purpose. In your case, a flat mirror should be used. An authentic pa kua mirror is a cure of last resort because it is so powerful that it can cause problems for the house that it faces or even for occupants of your own home, if those individuals are particularly sensitive to environmental energy.