A Very Auspicious Beginning… It’s Chinese New Year!

When I first celebrated the Chinese New Year, the circumstances of my life were difficult. I was a single mother, self employed and raising three spirited and somewhat troubled teens. I felt unsupported and anxious most of the time. My life was careening out of control. I was in desperate need of a turn-around in my fortunes.

On that particular Chinese New Year, this is what I received.

Not  long after I began to study directly with His Holiness, Grandmaster, Professor Lin Yun (the man who brought Feng Shui to the West) a friend of mine urged me to room with her in Berkeley over the Chinese New Year’s Celebration. I agreed and flew to California from my home north of Seattle.

After a harrowing cab ride, the driver railing the entire time about the evils of America, his new country, I arrived at the Cultural Center. Totally rattled, I found myself in front of brick stairs that lead up to a pair of closed wrought iron gates. In almost absolute darkness and pouring rain, I wrestled my too-large suitcase up the narrow stairs. I stood at the gates, attempting to get them to open for several minutes, my fear and despair building. I finally managed to discover the secret and gain entry. I then walked across a long path and stood in front of the most enormous and heavy looking door I’d ever seen. Sheltering in the narrow overhang, umbrella in one hand, suitcase in the other, I rang the bell and waited. All I could hear was the sound of rain and traffic a few streets away. The neighborhood  appeared deserted. My worry mounted by the second. I rang the bell again.

The door was flung abruptly open onto what looked and sounded like a riotous party. Bright colors, loud voices, and the heavy scent of incense and food mingled together… a sudden assault on my senses.  As though she had been standing there waiting for me to arrive, a petite Asian woman welcomed me in.  I noticed dozens of pairs of shoes scattered neatly over the entry floor, and cubbies lining the walls filled with more shoes. I quickly understood to take mine off.

In stocking feet, I began to take in my exotic looking surroundings, I saw a swarm of people getting ready to sit down to eat at the biggest table I had ever seen. Apparently my arrival was right on time… or not!  Dinner was being served!

Without being aware of what was happening and no room for refusal, I was whisked into the throng and brought to the table. I looked around at a sea of Asian faces all rapidly speaking a language I didn’t understand. I was terrified. I desperately wanted to turn and bolt. This was so not in my comfort zone. Several of the women guided and welcomed me in. They found a place for me at the table, across from His Holiness, in what I now know was an honored place. It was as though they had been saving it for me. They beckoned my friend to come sit next to me. The only non-Asian faces at the table were ours. Everyone settled, and the meal began.

I found out later that almost every one of these folks had traveled to get there. Most from places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hawaii, Minnesota and New York, to gather and spend this auspicious night with their temple family. Many brought their entire families. There was much catching up and playful banter.

Just off the dining room was an enormous industrial kitchen, where many of the women had been cooking and preparing for hours. Each shared their favorite and traditional dishes for the New Year. As the food began to arrive it was placed on enormous lazy-susans along the length of the dining table that sat more than 40 people. I was handed a pair of chopsticks and firmly schooled in how to use them. I credit the many meals I shared with these amazing students close to His Holiness with my ability to use chopsticks. The women close by served me small amounts of everything, told me what the dishes were and why we were eating them. They were kind, gracious and welcoming. Every person in that room. Professor had schooled his students well in kindness and courteousness. Everyone made an effort to translate what wasn’t spoken in Mandarin, so my friend and I felt included. I completely relaxed. I felt at home. Welcomed.

That night we ate: long life noodles with tiny shrimp to ensure longevity. Chicken dishes for happiness and marriage. A whole chicken to ensure a proper beginning and end to the year. Egg dishes to symbolize new beginnings. Whole fish for marital bliss. Dumplings for good fortune.  Sweets for a sweet year. And SO much more. The food came for what seemed like hours. There was much laughing, joke telling and good wishes. It was the first over-the-top feast I had ever experienced.  I learned that on New Year’s Eve you want to have way more food than necessary so you have plenty of leftovers for the next day. You don’t want to cook on New Years Day. This portends an especially prosperous year with lots of money rolling in.

After the dishes were cleared and the meal was over, the adults and a few of the children sat and told stories. Some got up and sang songs for His Holiness, which he loved.

At some mysterious agreed-upon moment, everyone, including the children, moved into the Shrine Room and settled down. His Holiness began to speak in Mandarin and for those few of us who were not Chinese; his words were translated into English. He teased and taught the teenagers and children. His Godchildren honored him. He blessed us all. Then out came the big bowls of hard-boiled eggs for the traditional Golden Cicada ceremony. This ceremony symbolizes shedding all the past woes of the year and starting fresh once again. It brings you back to your “primordial, essential,” state as Professor always said. And is very powerful and. somewhat like a baptism.

Just before midnight, everyone walked outside into the neighborhood to perform their personal ceremony . The rain had stopped and a big moon hung in the sky, clouds scudding.  After we did the Golden Cicada ceremony, we also welcomed the wealth gods, then headed back to the Cultural Center.

Traditionally one stays up all night, talking, playing games and enjoying family and friends on New Years Eve. This night we reassembled in the Shrine Room and His Holiness gave blessings and Chi Infusions. Blessing us for a New Year. We gathered until the sky began to lighten. Everyone wandered off to bed.

In the years that followed, as I studied and spent more time with this community, I learned more about the how and why of celebrating this auspicious New Year’s time.

The warmth of these beautiful people, His Holiness’s blessings and the ceremonies I did that night changed the course of my life and my children’s lives in a permanent and positive way. I felt much that had been weighing me down, let go and disappear. From that time forward, I felt a palpable and different kind of support that was sincere, heart-centered and filled with compassion.

His Holiness made his final transition in August of 2010. He left a rich legacy. I am deeply grateful for the good karma to have met, traveled and studied with him. His powerful and gentle teachings still inform much of how I work and move through the world.

I think often of something His Holiness shared with us, and embodied in the way he lived. I paraphrase here: “There is much in life that is difficult and sad.  Always look for opportunities to celebrate. And do so to the fullest.”

Tomorrow night my family and I will have a feast with traditional dishes. We will play Banana-grams and stay up to greet the Year of the Dragon. I will gift them with charms to carry during the year of the Dragon, gold chocolate coins and traditional Red Envelopes with crisp paper money. We will do much in the house to prepare and open to receive the blessings that the Year of the Dragon will bring.

As we welcome the New Year beginning at 11 pm on January 22nd, I will complete ceremonies. Some will be as taught to me by His Holiness, some will incorporate the CCT™ energy work I do now infused with the spirit and essence of his precious teachings.

What are you celebrating as we welcome in the Year of the Dragon? I would love to know.

Wishing you a prosperous and healthy Year of the Dragon!

 Gong Hee Fat Choy!!!

For information about some special ways I am offering support for your own Dance with the Year of the Dragon, click here.

To read more about H.H. Grandmaster, Professor Lin Yun, click here.

To read a bit more about Chinese New Year’s traditions click here.

January 22, 2012 is the last day of the Year of the Rabbit. 

On January 23, 2012 we move into the Year of the Water Dragon.

Photo credits: Melani Marx (Taken while spending time with His Holiness, Grandmaster Lin Yun.)

About Melani Marx

Advanced Energy Master, life coach and teacher, Melani Marx, is a committed and willing healer with an artist's spirit. She experiences life as a joyous, playful, adventure. She brings this knowing, along with her deep wisdom, compassion and fierce commitment, to the personal transformation and energy alignment work she does. Melani helps people remember who they truly are and live into that. She creates safety by holding space with a calm and clear-seeing presence that will transform your life.

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