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Though the terms feng shui and Zen are commonly used in the Western world today, and their Far Eastern origins are typically rec- ognized, accurate meanings may be hard for most to pin down. Literally translated in English as wind water, both of which are said to be associated with good health in the Chinese culture, feng shui is the practice of choosing or configuring a structure or a site, and the objects within, so as to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it, thereby bringing wellbeing and fortune to the people that inhabit it. Zen has been translated at times as absorption or meditative state. Traced to the 6th century, it is a school of Buddhism that emphasizes personal insight through meditation and the expression of that in- sight in daily life. Feng Shui was reportedly developed over 3,000 years ago. It is con- versely described as an art, a science, and a complex body of knowl- edge, and for Terry Sims, a landscape designer and contractor, it was the foundation for a Zen garden that she was contracted to build for a family from China now living in Boise, Idaho. That's where Sims' award-winning company, The Garden Artist Inc., has been in business for 10 years specializing in high-end out- door living areas; finding projects through referrals, their website, and various social media outlets. Referring to this project, Sims says, "My customers wanted to achieve a landscape reminiscent of their native China and designed around the fundamentals of feng shui. In addition, a family gathering area and raised vegetable garden beds were important to the overall functionality of the landscape." The plan was for Sims to create the design and then oversee the build from start to finish. Under a business agreement, her team in- cluded project managers Dave Wells and Curt Gallegos from Cougar Mountain Landscape, and Tim Cobb from Treasure Valley Land - scape, and their crews. So relying on the principles of feng shui and the symbolism of a Zen garden, Sims got to work. Using a "Bagua energy map" she ar- ranged the physical objects, both the hardscape and softscape im- provements, on the design plan. "A Bagua map is used to coordinate the energy of the environment to the fundamental aspects of human life, such as family, prosper- ity, career, relationships, love, money, health, creativity, and spiritual growth," reveals Sims. "I use the classic form of feng shui in most Haven By Mike Dahl, LC/DBM 26 LC DBM v e n A Far East Out West Before