Monday, July 21, 2008

How precious is YOUR life?

Most of us are taught from an early age that all life is precious – or, at the very least, that all human life is precious. But how well do we really learn this lesson?

All spiritual and religious traditions, as well as the best secular value systems, tell us that life is precious. These traditions do not distinguish between individual human beings, assigning more or less value depending on race, monetary worth or any other criteria.

Yet, so often as a counsellor, I have met people who value their own lives less than those of others. I had a young client who literally couldn’t bear to hurt a bug – her mother told me of how she saved a beetle from being accidentally squashed and how they weren’t allowed to kill ants in their home. Yet this same girl often cut herself – mostly on her arms – with a blade.

I am not suggesting, of course, that low self-worth is an unexplainable phenomenon. During counselling, we uncovered certain incidents in my client’s childhood that had a very direct bearing on her lack of self-worth. Even so, is not surprising that she was so mindful of a beetle’s life and cared so little for her own well-being?

Another woman, a devoted and fiercely protective mother of two, tried to kill herself when she discovered her husband was cheating on her. Why would she put his fidelity (or lack of it) above her own life? Fortunately, she survived the attempt, got counselling and has not looked back since. Her love of her children has helped her to move on – and, I hope, also a newly-discovered love of herself.

The Bible tells us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. This assumes that we already love ourselves. That part – loving oneself – does not need an explanation. Or so it seems.

The Bhagavad Gita, which encapsulates India’s Vedic wisdom, teaches us that our innermost core, and our Highest Self, is atma, or soul, which is an aspect of God. In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, when you fold your hands and bow to another, you are saluting that innermost Self in the other person: the Buddha within, the atma, the spark of divine fire at their centre. In return, they fold their hands in deference to the divinity within you.

All our lives are precious. In the overall scheme of things, your life is no more – and no less – precious than any other. But to you, it should in fact be more precious because it is a personal gift to you, for which you alone are responsible.

Whatever our beliefs regarding creation, we all know we did not create ourselves. This life, therefore, has been given to us – as a gift. Do you treat this gift of life with the love and respect, and responsibility, it deserves? Do you appreciate, do you treasure, the most precious gift that you can possibly receive on this Earth?

Friday, July 18, 2008

Reiki's 5 Principles for Daily Living

Just for today:
I will count my blessings.
I will not worry.
I will not be angry.
I will do my work honestly.
I will honour my teachers and elders, and be kind to all living beings.

Reiki sessions available in Manila

To book a session, email terataii@gmail.com

What is Reiki?
Reiki is a safe, non-intrusive healing technique. The Reiki practitioner places her hands gently on different chakras, or energy points, on the client’s body to help the client access universal life energy, described in various traditions as prana, chi or ki.
The Reiki practitioner acts as a channel that allows life-enhancing energy to flow to the client to help address physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances, removing blockages at all these levels. Reiki helps physical healing from disease or injury. It helps overcome depression, confusion or tension. It brings clarity of vision and spiritual growth.


The Reiki experience
Reiki is a personal experience. You may experience it as powerful energy moving through you or as subtle energy shifts; as a release of mental tension or an easing of physical symptoms; as deep relaxation or greater awareness and clarity. The energy helps each person in the way best suited for them.
Each session lasts an hour, including a brief consultation with Pamposh. She can supplement the Reiki with crystal therapy, meditation or counselling based on your needs. All interaction is confidential.


The practitioner
Pamposh is a certified Reiki Master, initiated into all three degrees of the Usui system of Reiki healing at the Ra Kendra in Manila and SoulCentre in Singapore. She was initiated into the highest degree by Reiki Master Sally Forrest of the U.K. Pamposh is a student of Indian spiritual master Vikas Malkani of the spiritual tradition of Swami Rama of the Himalayas.
In addition, Pamposh is a member of the Singapore Association for Counselling and has a Masters degree in Social Science (Counselling) from the University of South Australia, Adelaide. She has experience in face-to-face, Internet-based and phone counselling.