It is a privilege and a honor to be here with each of you.

All of us have heard a special call and have gathered from all parts of the globe. Our presence here is a great statement which acknowledges the power of the unseen forces inherent in Feng Shui.

The presenters and organizers of the conference are now encircling us physically and energetically, creating a vortex. As the conference proceeds, this invisible sacred container will be charged by invoking the wisdom of the ancient teachings and mixing it with our own inspiration and enthusiasm.

As practitioner's, we already possess the most powerful Feng Shui cure in the universe. We have the mirror of mirrors. This great cure is our open and loving hearts. When our hearts are open, we clearly reflect the divine light within us. It is this open hearted experience that acknowledges the divine light in everything. This recognition creates magic. Through these mystical powers we are able to create sacred environments.

In order to polish our mirrors, we need to do our inner work. I invite you to join me during this conference to expand upon our knowledge, skills and to tune into our loving nature. This combination allows us to create a balanced, clear mind and a pure open heart.

Let us all learn from each other, encouraging our best, so that we may blossom and flourish. As we honor the light, in each other and in the great teachings, we realize that we are all one family. This heals us, our community and our world.

Together let us further focus our intentions as we purify ourselves and this room, to set a tone for the conference. When we offer frankincense, the smoke and fragrance become a process of purification and a method of transformation. The toning sound of the bells adds to this purification process. Please join us in focusing our intentions to purify each gua. Let us begin with chanting Om. (The purification ceremony begins)

As the light is offered, let us proclaim the presence of that infinite, divine light. Please join in chanting the heart sutra. (The light ceremony begins)

Please gently hold your neighbors hands. Allow your eyes to close.

We are at the threshold of a new millennium. The theme of this conference is the 61st Hexagram: Faithfulness. Two yin lines surrounded by four yang lines depict an open heart and a clear mind. Faithfulness can be enhanced through the practice of virtue. By practicing virtue in our daily lives we become the embodiment of an open, loving heart.

May you become a great beacon of light and a corner stone in building a sacred and harmonious world. And always remember that the art of Feng Shui is our great excuse to share our love.

Buckingham County, Virginia's 1,000 acre Lotus Resort includes homes, a fire station, airport, dining halls, office buildings and beautiful gardens all designed with vastu feng shui in mind. Development coordinator Rev Bhaskar Alan Deva fine tuned the floorplans, interfaced with architects, engineers and state officials and oversaw one of America's largest spiritual subdivisions.
    Its crown jewel is a central circular monument dubbed The Lotus Shrine - a three dimensional yantra for peace. It includes gems from all over the world as well as the moon.
    Homes are astrologically aligned for abundance and well-being, and arboretums and gardens feature FS flora.

For most of us, the ability to continuously feel creative, balanced and openhearted is challenging. Society today does not encourage us to draw within, where we are in touch with these qualities. We are steered in the opposite direction, always encouraged to do something and never taking the time to sit still or just be.
    Even our homes are created to be hives of activity, with many rooms being multipurpose. It is not uncommon for many of us to have offices in our living rooms, bedrooms or kitchens.. This encourages us to be constantly "doing." There does not seem to be an attitude of resting or drawing inward in our own homes.
    Is there a place in your home where sacredness is reflected? If you can imagine it, you can create it! When we transform any area of our home into a haven, it evokes tranquility and love, to which both body and mind respond. It is here that we connect with the earth and heaven. This sets the tone for love to be the motivating factor of our lives.
    Just as we cook in the kitchen, cleanse in the bathroom and sleep in the bedroom, we can create a place for the sole purpose of communing. This further honors, and allows us to become more in touch with, our spirit. Many cultures consider a shrine room, prayer room or temple an essential part of their home. We can transform our guest room (or a part of a room by partitioning it with a screen or curtain) into a place that honors the spirit. Even having a small shelf set up in a private and quiet area can be enough to remind us to take a few minutes to go within and reflect on our inner selves.
    Make this area enticing. When you walk by, let it draw you in. Just as you might be drawn into the kitchen by a wafting aroma, allow the sublime vibration to draw you into your sacred space and into your inner being.
    Make the space beautiful and uplifting. Avoid clutter by keeping it simple, yet personalizing it to your taste. The important part is that you find it conducive to drawing within.
    Bringing nature into our sacred space cultivates the essence of balance and power. The five elements help define nature so that we may accurately represent and harmonize the elements in the room and in our lives.
    The wood element encourages us to follow the cycle of seasonal change and growth. Drawing upon saints and sages, and family and friends, we acknowledge our roots and move inward to touch the spirit. Beautiful wood furniture or carvings helps bring this element into our sacred space. Live plants, flowers, pictures of trees, or the colour green help us to vitalize the wood element.
    Sacred fire is a universal symbol found in all major religions. The fire element represents the spark of divinity that is in all things. Its heat removes impurities and strengthens us through the tempering process. Light is an aspect of fire that leads us out of darkness. Soft lighting helps us to reflect on our higher nature and draws us inward. Candles, oil lamps, lanterns, pictures of light and the color red bring the attributes of the fire element.
    The earth element sustains us in our life. Mother Earth shows us the unity in the diversity of life by her varied environments. The mountains, valleys, plains and deserts support us with each step that we take to know Dur own individual heart and soul. You may not have a mountain outside your window, but you can bring a mountain into your room with a picture to represent the earth element in your sacred place. A beautiful clay pot, a stone sculpture and yellow or earth tones also encourage groundedness and connection to the earth.
    The metal element, through its condensed form, represents tremendous strength and endurance. It leads us to the concentrated power within. That power can then be used to create and serve others. Enhance your space with the metal element by having brass or metal statues, candle holders, chimes or multifaceted crystals. White, the color of the metal element, allows the power that we generate to remain pure.
     The water element soothes and purifies. People commonly make pilgrimages to obtain holy water for curing. Some go to Lourdes, in France, others to the Ganges, in India, and some to their local churches and temples. Water reminds us of the ever-changing cycle of life as it goes from rain to rivers to oceans to clouds and returns to rain. Water is fluid and thus knows no obstacles. The water element can be brought into our sacred space through waterfalls, decorative containers of water or pictures with a water motif. Black, the absence of color, represents water, which is colorless.
    Through the balance of the elements and the creation of sacred space, we become empowered with love. Once this sacred place is created, allow the uplifting vibration to develop through your practices of meditation, prayer, personalized rituals, yoga, tai chi, chi kung or whatever opens your heart and fills you with love. Extend this same focused awareness into the rest of your home and your entire life will be transformed through the power of balance and love. Namaste!