By Mary Shurtleff      

The pilgrimage gate at the top of the Wu Tai Shan Mountains
 

Ni– Hao . As most of you all know, I completed my Advanced Training Feng Shui Certification in China in October 2000. My 15 year old daughter and myself left on October 10, 2000 and flew from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles where we met James and Helen Jay and other-like minded pilgrims, and we boarded a plane for Beijing China. We were beginning a trek which was not for the faint of heart, but it was the trip of a lifetime.

Once in Beijing, we visit the Buddha temple where Grand Master Lin Yun studied. We toured Tian An Men Square in Beijing and the famous ancient architecture of the Forbidden City, both built with the assistance of Feng Shui advisors.  We then trekked to the Great Wall. This was the most incredible thing I have ever seen in my life, and the hike was not for the out of shape. 

Forbidden City

Great Wall of China
(This picture was taken from only the second tower on the Great wall)

Residents of the Hutongs in Beijing

We also visited the Hutongs, which is a government housing for the low income people. We then went by train to Datong and then by bus to the famous Hanging Monastery in the Wu Tai Mountains, built over 1400 years ago on sheer cliffs one hundred feet above the valley floor. Once in the Wu Tai Mountains we visited various Buddha and Taoist monasteries. We then trekked on to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, and then continued on to cruise the Yangtze River , China's longest river , were we viewed incredible  scenery of the three gorges that will soon be flooded up to 120 meters  deep, when the largest dam in the world is complete. From there we flew to Shanghai where we visited Yuyuan Garden, where we learned how Feng Shui principles were applied in the garden. Lectures and demonstrations by renowned Feng Shui masters such as Professor Wang rounded out the visually stunning landscapes and sites we visited. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime.

Hanging Monastery

Grottos in Datong

A Monk at the monastery in the Wu Tai Mountains

Feng Shui is an ancient art derived from the belief that unique and unseen earth forces interact with our surroundings, creating harmony or disharmony depending on the specifics of the interaction. Feng Shui evolved from the simple observation that people are affected for good or ill, by surroundings, specifically the layout and orientation of workplaces and homes. It is an eco-art dealing with conservation, ecology, orientation and spatial arrangement. The Chinese have long observed that some surroundings are better, luckier and more blessed than others are. Natural elements like hills, water, trees as well as man made elements like buildings and furniture interact and cause effects. The aim of Feng Shui is to change and harmonize the environment's cosmic currents, known as ch'i, to improve fortunes.  (This portion written by Leslie Switzer-- www.Archipro.com  )

My China Adventure definitely helped me understand and feel the real spirit of Feng Shui, something I could not get in a book. Since I have been back, my approach to life is different. I let the energy guide me to where I am suppose to be, instead of me forcing the energy to work for me. It was indeed the trip of a lifetime.

 David, our Guide, Mary, and Jess in Shang Hai
The night before we came home.

James and Helen Jay, Mary and Jess in Shang Hai just before our journey home. We are happy to come home, but sad to leave such an incredible place.

For more info about the China Pilgrimage for Practitioners  with Helen and James Jay  check out www.fsdi.com

The trip is not for the faint of heart, but it is the trip of a lifetime.