MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 07/07/2009 Receiving the energy of the Full Moon

Receiving the energy of the Full Moon

Bonsoir!

Tonight the Moon is full and her gorgeous energy will be a support for your summer ventures.
I share with you this very simple ritual that you can do in the middle of the country or on a roof in NYC, on the Trocadero in Paris or in the Australian Outback!

Simple and however very powerful. It is like taking a Moon shower, washing off the dust, opening up to new insights. The Moon is all about revealing through the shadows, showing and hiding. The Yin female energy at its highest concentration! 

Enjoy, it is organic, and free! Bonne nuit, faites de beaux reves*...

And as usual, be good and don't behave!

Catherine

*Good night, sweet dreams...



Full Moon Ritual to receive the Yin universal energy.

Your Comments:

7/10/2009 7:13 AM Janine wrote:
Very interesting. I will try this and report back with my experience.

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 07/09/2009 & 07/11/2009 Change your Space, Change your Life! - workshop

Before the workshop:

Change your Space, Change your Life! - workshop

Bonjour!

If you live around San Francisco, join Sejal the fabulous deco stager, Joshua, the organizer master, and my French Shui self for our free workshop "Change your Space, Change your Life! - part 2 ". You can bring your pictures or floor plan, open Q&A at the end of the talk.

In the meantime, check out some highlights of our June workshop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcphZ7WMPd8

I will see you in Mountain View -  Saturday the 11th of July 2009 - 10am until 11.15am - Gingko 2496 W.El Camino Real - Mountain View -  Saturday the 11th of July 2009 - 10am until 11.15am - Gingko 2496 W.El Camino Real - Mountain View -  Saturday the 11th of July 2009 - 10am until 11.15am - Gingko 2496 W.El Camino Real ... I guess you got it!  

Au revoir!
Catherine 


After the workshop:

Change your Space, Change your Life Workshop - 2

Bonjour mes amis!

Back from the Mountain View workshop and despite all the efforts of the fabulous Leslie Carothers (http://www.tkpartnership.com/) to distract me on Twitter with her great sense of humor and her deep ethics, here I am, uploading a new -and this time, long- video for you.

The real video camera went on strike just before the show (this is not a French camera, don't even go there!), so I recorded with the video option of my normal camera. Sorry for the lack of light, frame, etc.  Anyway you can't complain because whether you are in NYC, Switzerland, Australia, Malaysia or San Francisco (and you, you could have made it to Mountain View, I know who you are, lazy drivers!), you still get my morning insights for free, delivered fresh and nearly live to your desktop! However you will miss some of the talk of my friends and co-experts and our Q&A as the camera memory got full... C'est la vie!

Please remember to  post your comments and questions here and show me your support on Twitter too.
It means a lot to me, and provides me with an exposure I absolutely need for my next project! I will tell you about it later... Merci!

Enjoy a beautiful week-end, wherever you are!
Au revoir, be good and do not behave.

Catherine

... One hour later and a big phone moment with GoDaddy customer service, I now know that despite what they had told me twice before when I open the account and created the vlog, they have a 5 minute limit on videos that are directly uploaded. Therefore, I  need to post on YouTube now the whole unedited video, and paste here. I will not make any comment, just breathe deeply. And probably move soon out of GoDaddy zone.

... Even more time later, I realized that YouTube will not allow me to upload a 15 minute video. No comment...

Therefore I am going to slice now my video in 3 pieces so that you still get the whole thing. I am not going to let a computerized system dictate what I can share with my people! Voila!

... ok... and now I just saw that the video appears upside down. And I have a question: Is Mercury back in Retrograde or am I just doomed today? (please do not answer! )

I began this post around 3.30pm, it is now 11.47pm, my video looks like a French sliced saucisson... Enjoy, still!

Change your space, change your life 2nd workshop - Feng Shui - July 2009 (1)

Change your space, change your life 2nd workshop - Feng Shui - July 2009 (2)

Change your space, change your life 2nd workshop - Feng Shui - July 2009 (3)

Change your space, change your life 2nd workshop - Feng Shui - July 2009 (4)

Your Comments:

7/12/2009 12:42 AM Matt Klein wrote:
Bonsoir Catherine! Magnifique! You have great stage presence and command of your audience. Best of all, even with your accent (which is lovely btw), you still manage to sound more intelligent and articulate than 90% of Americans.

I don't normally pay attention to blogs or vlogs but yours is special. It's easy to be drown out by the cacophony of so many people clamoring to be heard and get their messages across, so I feel fortunate to have met you. You bring such zest and passion to your work that it's really apparent you are doing this not just to make a living, but out of a genuine love for it, and, at the risk of sounding cheesy, you let your inner light shine through every time. I wish you unbounded success and happiness! Au revoir, namaste, Matt.

ps. so nice to have more than 140 characters with which to communicate!

7/19/2009 4:00 PM Heather Lindquist wrote:

Bonjour!

Merci beaucoup Catherine! These videos on changing your space have been very informative and helpful. Your intuitive sense and care for others comes through. It is nice to see someone genuine and well rounded in the many facets involved in providing the best feng shui. Thank you for your insight. I look forward to working with you in the future. Love and light.

Heather

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 07/16/2009 A Bridge Meditation

A Bridge Meditation

Bonjour!

For you today a visualization to do 9 days on the row.
Every time, write down what happens and at the end of the cycle, you should have a  lot of deep insights to help you move forward in a transition time.
In the video, I say to do it at night, but you can just do it when it is convenient for you. Don't skip a day or begin the process again!

Please leave your comments here, don't forget to subscribe and recommend my Vlog if you enjoy it, and of course, see you on Twitter and on my Facebook fan pages!

I will have soon very exciting news on a Pro Bono project I am working on to beautify the every day life of kids in trouble, and another project about death and reincarnation... Oui!

BTW, did you visit my site: http://www.yourfrenchaccent.com ?

I also do remote consultations, even for decor.  I just finished painting a 3 story new house in Mexico, never been on site, and my client is delighted (he will take pictures soon, he promised)! So if you know somebody who could appreciate my services... I always appreciate business referrals! Your favorite French Cat needs to eat too!  


Au revoir, be good, and don't behave!

Catherine

A Bridge Meditation for Transition Times

Your Comments:

7/18/2009 10:39 PM matt wrote:
Nice bridge; love the leather jacket.

I always enjoy your posts and look forward to each one. They are like chocolates, yes, of course "you never know what you're going to get" but, they're always delicious and make me smile.

I think you would do well leading meditations and/or pranayama. Do you do any chanting perhaps?

Au revoir. namaste.

7/20/2009 4:43 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:

Matt,

Merci beaucoup for your witty comment. I love chocolates, good ones, not too sweet... Anyway, that was not your question!

I do lead guided meditations and participated in different circles, specially when I was living in Pacifica, building community with my dear friend Mickael Black, a great Earth healer, and the radiant yogi Quinh, who cannot stand the French way of kissing people on the cheecks!

Funny you asked actually, because I am going to launch soon a guided meditation program in San Francisco and I just need the perfect space for that. I put it in the Universe now! It is done, so be it!

About the pranayama and other mantras, do you really think my French accent will do? I don't!

Namaste, Au revoir...

Catherine

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 07/21/2009 Beyond the eclipse... Feng Shui to get a contract signed

Beyond the eclipse... Feng Shui to get a contract signed

Bonsoir!

Waow, the draining energy of this eclipse was so strong, I thought I will never record this post for you! But I had promised to Leslie and Zna on Twitter, so here it is! FYI before being able to even talk, I did a space clearing, a deep meditation and began a vision board!

·         First you will get a quick take on "The eclipse and I"!

·         Then, you will hear me ranting about Feng Shui schools. Let's make it clear! For what I saw in the past 11 years, there are not bad Feng Shui lineages, however there are sometimes some untrained practitioners, and some very aggressive ones too! (I said it, let's move on!).

·         Finally, you will learn what you need to know to put all the chances on your side to get a contract signed.  Remember that your office needs to be cleaned and as organized as possible before you do any energetic adjustment. In the video, I speak mainly from a Black Sect lineage perspective who uses the Ba Gua areas (LI, TUI and CHYAN) as a road map, with the front door as the reference (bottom of the map). The indications of directions (South, West and North-West) are for people following the Compass. Do not try to mix both methods, pick one.

AND PUT ALL YOUR INTENTION INTO IT!

·         By the way, if you want to follow on Twitter a very interesting and open minded Compass School Feng Shui Master: @FengShuiAvatar is your guide! Great Australian Lady, I wish she was here!

Voila!
Comment your quick questions, I will answer.  If you need a remote consultation, let me know; Skype is a fabulous tool!

Be good and don't behave, enjoy the New Moon...

Catherine

The eclipse and I!

Feng Shui Schools and Lineages: My Point of View.

Feng Shui tips to attract luck on a contract.


(When we transferred the blog to this new space, we unfortunately lost this video. C'est la vie...)



Your Comments:

7/22/2009 10:19 AM matt wrote:
Excellent advice. Thank you! I understand your view on Feng Shui schools. Use what is valuable to you; empower yourself with knowledge from all points of view. Well done. Au revoir!

7/22/2009 5:33 PM Ann Evanston wrote:
So interesting and i loved your videos! I find it interesting that you cal it contract "luck" though. From a Feng Shui aspect, is it really luck?

Ann Evanston
The Warrior is Within You
http://Warrior-Preneur.com

7/22/2009 5:59 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:
Bonjour Ann!

I like you!
I debated last night to know if I should use the word luck or not, and here you are...
Human, Heaven and Earth. Feng Shui equation.
I show here how to harness the universal energies towards a goal. And I insist on putting intention into it. Then... there is always a final touch that is linked with the circumstances of the other involved, the group karma also, etc... Luck comes in!

Voila, next time I debate about a word, I promise not to use it!
Thank you for commenting, I really appreciate.

Catherine

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 07/28/2009 How to (not) meditate!

How to (not) meditate!

 Bonjour!

For years I have been asked by clients and friends “how to meditate”, "what is the right way” to meditate… People are often afraid of “not being able to meditate”. Afraid of failing!

Following the input of my tweemi (twitter + ami/friend) and Yoga teacher Matt, I decided to give you some guidelines. It has been awfully difficult to make this video, I did several takes and I was laughing, looking for my words. Then I took a break and changed my perspective (Perrie, don’t you love that?!) and everything flowed perfectly!

Now, let’s make a few things clear:

First, as you may have noticed, I am a city girl, energetic, multitasking, not exactly the “quite mind” type. So if you think meditation is a weird practice that you have a hard time to simply apprehend, I hear you! It is! But it is incredibly rewarding once you begin.

Then, and before some hardcore purists throw more stones at me, I know that having a background music or a guided visualization is not the ultimate way to meditate. But how do you want to win the Tour de France if you don’t even know how to pedal? Hum? Merci!

Finally, this post is my take on the subject. I would be happy to hear yours. Comment! This place is called French Shui Café for a reason: it is all about sitting around a virtual table together and sharing about life.

Voilà!

Meditation, like Yoga, is not a competition. The truth is in the alignment and the unity.

Be good and don’t behave,

Catherine

How (not) to meditate!

Your Comments:

7/28/2009 8:21 PM Elisabeth wrote:
I marvel at this!
Merci mille fois for sharing this great, reassuring instruction in such a stylish way.
But what am I thinking? That's why we call you La Belle Catherine!

8/12/2009 12:04 PM Andy Stock wrote:
Hi again Cat, I was just cut off from leaving you a message, but here goes.

Thanks for your comments on meditation,
its hard to define. I believe that
www.qualitylivingstyles.com/
is a good plave to visit on the subject.
Hope to see you sometime. Andy

8/12/2009 1:00 PM French Shui Cafe I Cat Grison wrote:

Bonjour Andy!
Thank you for sharing! I think your cute retreat in Mexico would be the perfect place to meditate... 

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 06/25/2009 Gratitude - Night time ritual

Gratitude - Night time ritual

Bonsoir!

Before going to bed, here is a very sweet ritual to do to feel good and enjoy a good night. You can do it alone or with your family, it is great with kids or with people who have a hard time recognizing small beauties of every day life. It looks small but the impact on your mood and health is huge.

By the way, I look a bit sleepy in the video as I am just coming back from the yoga, what always put me in a deep meditative state, not as talkative as usual!

Enjoy!
Be grateful, be good and don't behave.

Catherine

Ritual on Feeling Gratitude - To do before going to bed, every night.

Your comments:

6/26/2009 2:33 AM Alfredo wrote:
I love your energy. Cannot wait til yr next installment.

6/27/2009 10:05 PM Heather M wrote:
Thanks sweetie, and no worries - you know I can't behave, even if I tried!

bisous

MY FRENCH SHUI CAFÉ BLOG ARCHIVES: 06/21/2009 Letting go of the Past for the Summer Solstice

Letting go of the Past for the Summer Solstice

Bonjour! 

To celebrate the Summer Solstice, I decided to give you a simple but very efficient ritual. There is nothing to pay, nothing to sell, this is just my gift to support your path. If you want, you can leave me a post, I would really appreciate!

It is about letting go, using the Fire energy of the summer to make room for new beginnings in your life.

Voila! Enjoy...
If you have any question, feel free to blog them back.
_Just make sure the volume of your computer is high as the voice of the ocean is pretty loud! Thank you. _

Au revoir, be bold & beautiful, don't behave!
Catherine

The Past is Over: Fire ritual for Summer Solstice. 

Your Comments:

6/21/2009 11:33 PM Laura Iriarte wrote:
Thank you so much Catherine! I am subscribing!

6/21/2009 11:34 PM larry czerwonka wrote:
mahalo for reminding us to let go of the past...

6/22/2009 12:41 AM Sandi FlordelizeHopfoot wrote:
What a wonderful idea, I love it!!! Thank you, I will try this soon!

6/22/2009 2:53 AM Richard Allan Marti Jr wrote:
Thank you for sharing. We used to write our old haunting thoughts on a piece of paper and literally burn them to cleans those thoughts from our minds. It is a freeing experience. Thank you

6/22/2009 7:45 AM Catherine Kurczynski wrote:
What a lovely visit with you this morning! Thank you for the idea of getting rid of old burdens. I love your blog--3000 characters gives us plenty of space to chat. I'll will visit again. Good luck or is it bon chance? Cathybytheriver
p.s. I love the check spelling feature--no excuses!

6/22/2009 8:02 AM Barry wrote:
The sound of the ocean is overwhelming your voice in my old ears. Otherwise very good!

6/22/2009 8:57 AM Catherine Sweeney wrote:
Thank you, I knew this but it helps to be reminded. And your lovely energy comes forth and soothes. Blessings!

6/22/2009 10:06 AM Ann Quasman wrote:
Great reminder and great ceremony to begin our summer. I did this last night on the patio and it was a wonderful release. The quote I thought about this morning was one from "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd:

"Day one of my new life," I said to myself. "That's what this is."

Happy Summer, everybody!

Ann Quasman
co-host of WomanTalk Live Radio
www.WomanTalkLive.com

6/22/2009 9:06 PM Maybelline wrote:
Thank you Catherine for sharing your wonderful summer ritual! I believe in renewal and ridding oneself of stagnant energies. What a great reminder and exercise for new beginnings. You're a gem! Love your energy and the french accent of course!!

6/23/2009 8:52 AM Ron wrote:
This is great,  we could all use this especially in such uncertain times. Thank you Catherine for sharing!

6/23/2009 11:02 AM papillon bleu wrote:
Voyage... voyage avec son casque. Messagère mercurienne qui atterrit sur les milles et un grains de sable. Pas ceux d'un désert mais de l'océan pour nous délivrer au travers des embruns, la magie du feu tout près de l'eau.

6/27/2009 10:02 PM Heather M wrote:
You know, I did something VERY similar with my Goddess friends here in LA! really remarkable how much the same. You really must come down when there is a circle sometime, it would be just incredible to have you to join us!!!

xoxox

7/28/2009 4:56 PM Richard Bassett wrote:
This blog is absolutely wonderful.
It provides you with such a moving experience that it is almost like magic.
How very gifted you are, Catherine and I know you really make a difference!