Small Bites – Feng Shui Storyboard

Small Bite: My Heartfelt Thank You

My Heartfelt Thank You

I’m sending lots of love to all of you who have been reading my Small Bites for years. Your messages of support and appreciation have inspired every word. It has been my pleasure to share teachings so generously offered to me by H. H. Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun. Hopefully, I have brought them to life in a world desperately in need of his uncommon thinking.

As I meet this tenuous time, I have decided to pause – to take a moment to sort through my priorities and unravel competing emotions, thoughts, and needs. I want to add a gentleness now that allows me to breathe more easily, to listen carefully, and to return taking action that will respond to my genuine needs and yours. My hope for myself is best stated in the words of T. S. Eliot in The Four Quartets,

To become renewed, transfigured, in another pattern.

The world mystifies me now, and I’m wondering about patterns and the need for change. As I step away from writing the Small Bites, I do know that the Storyboard ONE by ONE and Katherine On Call will continue. I will also continue to consult. Beyond that, I am unsure. I do know that our hearts and loving wisdom will hold us together when any one of us is unsure.

The entire Small Bite Collection – all 136 Bites – will remain available here for you to revisit if you wish. If you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions, please send them my way. A new pattern, imbued with your excellence, may emerge in service of all.

Thank you for your work in the world and spending this time with me,

Katherine

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Katherine Metz2023-02-27T11:13:52-08:00

Small Bite: We Must Surprise Ourselves Now

We Must Surprise Ourselves Now

Please remember that intuition can be indulgent because it is conditioned by the everyday mind. With meditation, intuition becomes timely, refined, more intelligent, and less fearful.

Sit quietly often. Your intuitive gift will sprout anew, grow, bloom, and bear fruit. Let yourself be surprised by the loving kindness that arises as you share your heavenly inspired knowing.

We need your unique gift of inspiration at this time.

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Katherine Metz2023-02-27T15:06:50-08:00

Small Bite: Do Not Hesitate

Do Not Hesitate

It is time to extend your noble influence as far as possible.

Look for ways to reach people in ways you could never have imagined.

Please do not hesitate.

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Katherine Metz2022-03-16T14:08:57-07:00

Small Bite: Inspired by a Poet

Inspired by a Poet

I was given a simple instruction. Play with the letters of one word. I chose the first three letters of “vehicle,” a word that appeared in my first thought about this Small Bite.

“Our words are vehicles to take us somewhere new. “

How will we assemble our words?

As voices

emerging

hot with truth?

As valedictorians of

embattled

history?

As vessels

emblazoned with

heart?

As velvet

expressions of

honor?

Or

As vapors

erupting

hate?

I am not a poet. I just wonder about words all the time. These words surprised me as they fell easily upon the page – in minutes. I am guessing you can tell what has been on my mind recently. It just came pouring out within a seemingly limiting structure, but one that surprisingly gave me the freedom to explore and expand words and associations. I am intrigued by the word “vapors.” What will I find as I try again?

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Katherine Metz2022-03-02T01:00:03-08:00

Small Bite: Saturday Breakfast With Professor

Saturday Breakfast with Professor

During breakfast, after our morning chanting session, Professor made the following correction to our chanting of Na Mo Ah Mi To Fo, the mantra of Amitabha Buddha. Amitabha Buddha is the compassion of all the Buddhas—in essence, the compassion of the universe. Chanting the name of Amitabha, meaning “boundless light,” is a call for help. Chanted with sincerity, your difficulties may ease, even disappear. Even if you are not a Buddhist, you can accept the blessings and guidance from the Buddha.

The chant should be chanted with four lines, not three. The notes rise in the first two lines carrying the message from the human realm to heaven. The notes begin to fall in the third line, returning to pass through the human realm on the way to hell. The notes of the fourth line reach all the way down to hell, touching all the beings there.

You can chant the three lines, however the chant with four lines is more powerful and complete. Chanting the four lines will enhance the chant’s power and effectiveness. The essence of using this method comes from the “completeness” of the chant. You are touching heaven, man, and earth. “You have it all covered.“

Use the link below to listen to this precious chant with the four lines included. Listen for the rise and fall of the notes, visualizing that the Buddha’s universal compassion is offering intuitive insight and comfort to all sentient beings.

Listen to Amitabha Buddha Chant (4 lines)

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Katherine Metz2022-01-10T10:33:10-08:00

Small Bite: Monday Night Dinner With Professor

Monday Night Dinner With Professor

Always a moment to listen carefully!

On one evening years ago, I took notes—some hastily written, scratchy scribbles—on a dinner napkin. Despite the lack of

penmanship, the words have inspired my work ever since. Here is the conversation.

Earlier in the day, Professor said, “Wisdom is round and actions are square.” A dinner quest asked him to “explain.” Professor answered:

“Taking action can be square if one adheres to linear thinking and making square rules.”
“Wisdom is gentle and flexible. The doing is gentle, or round.”
“One does not need to act squarely. One can gently guide oneself and others.”

He went on to give some examples.

Those who are square may be quick and intelligent, but may be so direct in their responses that they offend others.

Those who are round have the wisdom to retain their principles in a flexible way. They hold to their principles with gentleness. They do not offend others. They will not draw criticism or feel the rough edges of dissent.

To be square on both the inside and outside may mean that one pushes against responsibility. One may not deal with others except to push back.

He asked us to think about who we are both inside and outside. He offered this as one important way to adjust our chi.

Then he continued— to insist that I eat all the bitter food on my plate—somehow knowing that my Five Element physical body needed adjustment.

Always a moment to listen carefully!

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Katherine Metz2022-01-07T12:00:03-08:00

Small Bite: Note from a Juror

Note from a Juror

Writing today, I have a few minutes between testimony from witnesses who have complicated stories to tell. My mind and heart are tired after only five days. Despite the Sun Moon Mirror above my head, my concentration is lagging. My days are darker, colored by my sadness that two people have been locked in dramatic conflict for years.

My knowledge of Feng Shui tells me that all of this could have been avoided. Yet, the art and science of our tradition is still hidden from sight for many, perhaps most. And, it is not pertinent to the proceedings today.

What can I do today to honor my oath to be fair and just?

Hear are my thoughts, put into words by the poet Hafiz.

How

Do I

Listen to Others?

As if everyone were my Master

Speaking to me

His

Cherished

Last

Words.

I can do that today. Tomorrow will ask of me something new.

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Katherine Metz2021-11-19T15:49:15-08:00

Small Bite: Extraordinary Everyday Advice

Extraordinary Everyday Advice

To practice well, we must see beyond the floor plan and furniture placement to see life as it arises everyday. We often find ourselves in the midst of complicated, surprising, and delicate circumstances. We are challenged daily to step up and give exactly what is needed (beyond our wildest imaginings.) It is rarely easy, yet we are equipped with lots of advice from Professor Lin. Let’s take a unique look at the teachings, and place them in the context of an ordinary day.

Take 90 minutes to listen to this audio for it addresses the answers to questions like the ones below.

What will you do if your client is constantly putting a foot in his or her mouth?

What if you are doing your own remodeling and planning to knock down your own wall?

If the entire neighborhood is being affected by a labor conflict at the local supermarket, what can you do, as a practitioner, to help?

How can you help someone whose grandmother in Kentucky is having panic attacks?

If some part of your life is about to collapse, what will you do?

What will you do if a client is constantly annoyed?

If there is a leak in the roof, what will you suggest besides fixing it (on an auspicious day)?

If a dispute is never-ending, what is a simple way to create peace?

I know we all have those moments when we just don’t know what to do. Together we can explore Professor’s theories, and begin to see through a difficult circumstance to a place of effective action. We are expanding the boundaries of our ability to be of service.

You can purchase this audio at The Practitioner’s Library.

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Katherine Metz2021-10-11T16:32:10-07:00

Small Bite: A Good Month to Practice

A Good Month to Practice

Professor made the following statement:

It is vitally important to bring Buddha’s spiritual energy into your body so that you are connecting directly with Buddha. Otherwise, you may be wasting your time as you pay your respects to the Buddha.

This has certainly been my experience as a mentor to Feng Shui practitioners around the world. Those who spend time in meditation change over the years. Anger diminishes, conflict is faced with equanimity, roadblocks are fewer and easier to navigate, relationships thrive, and work becomes more effective and fulfilling. It happens gradually, almost without anyone noticing. Then, one day, it is as if a person has been reborn.

It is a conversation I have had again and again with those who have incorporated meditation into their daily propitiations. The chi has become “smooth,” and life shows up differently.

So, I want to encourage you to continue your practice, and to add new and inspiring meditations. Each one will contribute to the ease of life. As you share the meditations, each one will help another person in its own special way. Here are a few of my favorite meditations, along with the reasons for my choices.

Six Syllable Beads Channeling Meditation

This meditation offers you the opportunity to connect with the Buddha of your choice. If you are sick, you can connect with the Medicine Buddha. If you are searching for wisdom, you can connect with Manjushri. You can connect with Lord Tonpa if you wish to elevate your spiritual power. You can be very specific about what it is you need.

Ice Liquefying Meditation

This meditation will promote recovery from an illness, especially if your visualization is powerful. You are developing an extraordinary healing tool.

The Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) Essence Meditation

Those who practice this meditation on a regular basis will feel as if their former selves died yesterday, and that they are experiencing rebirth today.

If you wish to learn more about the meditations from our tradition, you can purchase

Absorbing the Essence of Our Practice from The Practitioner’s Library.

You will find 4 hours and 30 minutes of audio.

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Katherine Metz2021-10-11T17:06:02-07:00

Small Bite: Let’s Think Once Again About the Fire Element

Let’s Think Once Again About the Fire Element

Please consider both the yin and the yang of Fire when considering where to place a fireplace or stove.

You can safely place either of these items into a Family gua, and it is important to recognize why. The element Wood resides in this gua, and the Fire will be fueled naturally. The occupants will not be burned or “burned up.” If you pay attention to both size and color, this placement of the fireplace or stove can nourish and protect the family. This is the yang consideration.

I think the yin consideration is often missed, so I would like to share it here. Fire in Family can offer the encouragement and guidance (the thunder) of warm and loving parents who know what you need. There is clarity, kindness, and decorum. Never miss this important nuance offered to us by Professor Lin Yun.

He also asked us to remember that Fire in a Children gua can be easily balanced by the natural water of the Lake that resides there. Pay attention to proportion and color once again, then set your intention carefully. Allow the Fire and Water to come to balance. Not every fireplace in Children needs a mirror on the wall above. The warmth will be welcome, nourishing, and just enough.

Always look to both yin and yang. Otherwise, you may miss the benefits available when viewing the complete picture.

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Katherine Metz2021-10-06T10:00:03-07:00