Past Life Regression, Power Animals and Family Constellations.

About four years back I attended a workshop on Past Life Regression (PLR). The experience was amazing. Till then I had read about the subject and practically read all books of Dr. Brian Wiess, a world authority on PLR. A few experiences during the workshop convinced me about the past lives I had lived where issues remained unresolved. It is amazing how a situation will repeat itself in a future life, till the underlying energy that caused it to occur is balanced, aligned and integrated.

Past Life Regression therapy is helpful to solve human issues that have roots in a past incarnation. It could be anything from a particularly bothersome relationship with an office colleague or even a fear of water that prevents you from learning how to swim. With a past life regression you can delve into the past and find out why a you feel victimised by your boss or why some self-limiting belief is hindering progress in your current life. It is amazing how we create situations in our current lives because of what occured in a past life, just to learn a particular lesson and integrate it into ourselves. There could be role reversals though!

The workshop was followed up six months later by an advanced workshop where we learnt about Shamanic Healing and Power Animals. Invoking their energies can help you face any issue or situation that is specific to you.

At the end of the workshop Dr K Newton who conducted the workshop, facilitated an experiment in Family Constellations work. We were dumbstruck at the energy dynamics that emerged when even those who knew absolutely nothing about the issue, began to replicate and enact the exact behaviour of family members represented in the constellation! The one seeking healing through a constellation remains an observer throughout the process.

Family Constellations is a kind of psycho therapy inspired and evolved by Bert Hellinger a German psychotherapist. It aims at healing not just the individual but the family as well. Universal laws require that all of us acknowlegde each incarnated soul and respect it without judgement about its chosen path for sorting out its own karma in ways best known to the individual soul essence. Unfortunately as humans we sometimes forget this and subject our lesser fortunate brothers to untold pain, misery and vicitimization through our judgemental behavior with them. As a result many situations in our lives evade solution because the 'orders of love' have been disrupted in the past due to the 'so called misdemeanor' of an ancestor that was concealed from younger generations to avoid social stigma.

My group of like-minded friends is always too eager to work with a Family Constellation. In fact this has become a regular experimental feature of our meets! The best thing about the group is that no one probes or judges a situation for which resolution is sought.

With all this comes the deep understanding that it is possible for each of us to connect at subtle energy levels in order to help heal ourselves, others and the planet as a whole! The collective consciousness is a vast field of energy many aspects of which still await exploration! It brings to my mind Issac Newton's famous quote:

“I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”

More About Alternative Therapies

Here is something more to my earlier blog on Alternative Therapies. After learning quite a few I realised that each of them has a special attribute that aims at healing a particular aspect of human life. The subject is vast and extremely interesting. A regular spiritual practice often adds more insights into them as concepts about energy get clearer.

Herbal medicine acknowledges the use of herbs to set right body processes to achieve optimum health. They can help weight loss by speeding up metabolic processes and other bodily processes that are vital for good health.

Yoga, meditation and breathing techniques improve health and make you feel more peaceful.

Bach Flower Remedies were discoverd by Dr. Edward Bach. Each of the 38 remedies are aimed at a eliminating a particular characteristic or negative emotional state that can play havoc with the psyche and eventually cause deterioration of physical health. They can help you overcome negative emotions like impatience, poor-me feelings, dominance that can be opressive to others, inconfidence, hatred, jealousy, envy, self-centredness, overconfidence, procrastination, feelings of gloom and despair, feelings of being overwhelmed, fears both known and unknown and many more. Most humans a deeply self-aware of their shortcomings but a unaware how to address these feelings and weed them out. Bach Flower Remedies are a good modality in this direction.

Spirit-in-Nature Essences are made from flowers and fruits and were inspired by Paramhans Yogananda. The essences have been discovered after much research and are aimed at uplifting our spiritual energy by enhancing our positive qualities like kindness, mental vitality, cheerfulness, unselfishness, calmness, clarity of thought, etc. They are extremely powerful remedies and even a week's treatment combined with a positive affirmation can work wonders.

Siddha healing comes from Siddha yogis or Siddhas. A Siddha or a Siddha Guru is a perfected master or someone who has transcended his ego and can initiate a disciple through 'Shaktipat'. They were humans who through intense spiritual practice or 'sadhana' had achieved identity with the Supreme Spirit. Nityananda Baba, better known as Bhagwan Nityanand of Ganeshpuri and his disciple Swami Muktananda were all Siddhas. Saibaba of Shirdi, Jnaneshwar, Eknath and many other Indian saints are all Siddhas. These elevated souls are always present around us and actually come when invoked to help us to heal ourselves and others.

There are many more healing modalities that can be written about. Each is unique and can be creatively used to offer interesting solutions and insights into human life and its multi-level existence. All of them offer immense opportunity to delve into unknown areas of human existence that can be curiously interesting. But all said and done, learning about them affirms the belief that we are all spiritual beings on a human path come to this planet for an earthly experience!

I could go on and on about the subject, but may be more blogs on the subject are a better idea!

Temples of North Gujarat and Rajasthan

Am not one of the 'temple-visiting' kind। In fact I would rather avoid a visit to a famous temple just to steer clear from the crowds of frenzied devotee! Would prefer paying my respects to the Lord at any small temple amidst natural suroundings to take in the pristine energy such a place offers. But when you take a holiday via road, it is just right that you visit such places that are on your route or even make a slight detour to visit one that is a 'must see'.

Our first halt was at Shamlaji which has a lovely Vishnu temple situated at the base of hills and definitely a 'must-see' as compared to the ones that are overly frequented by devotees। We reached there by about 8।30 AM. This is a nice time to go when there are no crowds and one can get a good view of the temple architecture. The outer walls of the temple are replete with exquisitely carved figures that make one wonder about the skilled artisans that lived ages ago and probably spent an entire life sculpting them.

The next halt was a Nathadwara which is houses the famous Shreenathji temple, one of the most frequently visited ones this side of the country. At the entrance one comes across several 'temple guides' who are ready to take you in via the so-called 'vip transit'। It was fairly crowded but not as much as it normally is, so I was told. Probably we had got the timing right and could safely avoid the crowds, having reached there around 12.30 in the afternoon. We were able to get a good 'darshan' of Lord Shreenathji.

Some temple guides are barely 10 years of age and eager to learn the trade of making a fast buck with carefully learnt communication skills relating the history of the place। I was particularly taken up by this young lad who probably guessed I could be ready game to listen to his tales। I engaged him in conversation and learnt that he was earning his way to pay his school fees. I was touched by his appearance, his innocent, piteous-looking face was too much to turn away from. He wished that I should listen to him relate tales of the Lord of the temple and I readily obliged lending him my ears. In his own style and language, little of which I could comprehend, I heard him through and gave him a tenner, which he gratefully accepted. Older guys like him wanting to snatch away his earnings tried to tell me he was a sham, but my heart refused the believe them. I was touched by the experience.

Two days later on our return journey we visited Ranakpur which is famous for its Jain temple। Friends had told me much about this place and even though we had to make a detour, it was well-worth the visit. This beautiful temple is a structure of of white, glittering marble well-known for its 1444 supporting pillars of intricate, exquisite carvings, no two of which are alike! Again like the Shamlaji temple, one is awe-struck by the skill of the artisans that worked on them.

I like visiting Jain temples; they are quiet, peaceful and spotlessly clean, a quality which I greatly value and thankfully devoid of the jostling and pushing of frenzied devotees to put you off!

Our last visit was to Ambaji, a temple dedicated to Goddess Ambamata who symbolises 'Shakti' and is generally frequented by devotess every full-moon.

At the end of the holiday it now felt nice that I could visit all these temples, something that I was never too keen about despite having lived in Gujarat since birth!

Jungle Safari at Kumbhalgarh

After seeing the Kumbhalgarh Fort we were keen to see some wild life and decided to take the jungle safari trip organised by the locals of Kumbhalgarh.

We set off at about 5.15 PM in a open Jeep with hopes of watching deer, cheetahs and leopards and some feathered friends. Driving over jungle terrain in an open Jeep after being used to well constructed roads in Ahmedabad is quite a rough experience. The drive was full of ups and downs, many of them frightfully steep. The narrow road made of haphhazardly placed rough stones is one that only tough and sturdily built four wheelers can traverse. Not accustomed to anything like this, I could feel my muscles getting tense with apprehension as with one hand I clung to the bar above my head. We hardly knew the driver and the only thoughts that crowded our minds were those of safely! The bumpiness of the ride sent my bones rattling within, but soon I got used to the idea and slowly relaxed as I took in the beautiful greenery all round. The vegetation is not dense but not sparse either. There is enough greenery to give you a feel of the forest and keep the air around cooler and more pleasant than the normally hot Rajasthani summers.

We spotted many monkeys and peacocks all along but they failed to fascinate us as they are a regular sight in Ahmedabad. Our NRI friends though were happy to click pictures of a peacock doing a courtship dance to a group of peahens that had fallen prey to his charms! Where the rough jungle road ends is a lake, almost dry from the harsh summer this year. We learnt that wildlife generally come there at twilight to take a sip from the lake waters. But some how they had decided not to show themselves to us that day. We started on the return journey containing our disappointment, when in the distance one of us spotted a Nilgai as it continued to eat leaves from a tree. It raised hopes of seeing more animals around. In a short distance from there we came across a falcon that was almost camouflaged against the jungle backdrop. This is a rare bird and probably one that one comes across only in jungles.

By this time we started out journey back to the hotel I was totally out of the fear of riding on rough terrain as the driver of the Jeep had with his careful driving managed to inspire some confidence. At the end of the day we were grateful that we could get at least a few glimpses of wildlife and the trip was not all that in vain. After all no experience, however trivial it may seem is ever wasted!

The Kumbhalgarh Fort Experience

Had a nice holiday last week visiting temples and forts in Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh is a small hill station situated in the Aravali Mountains of Rajasthan. Kumbalgarh Fort situated at a height of 1100 meters is a mammoth structure winding along the slopes of the Aravali Mountains. The structure has a high bulwark of about 36 meters. The majestic fort is replete with several observation towers, crenelations and citadels that no enemy could hope to break into. It was built in the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha and is the birth place of the famous Rajput hero Rana Pratap who fought the Battle of Haldighati against the forces of Emperor Akbar. The ramparts and walls of the fort strech a good 12 kilometers and are an example of masonry only second to the Great Wall of China! It is a heritage site maintained by the Archeological Survey of India, one that must be viewed late evening when up and brings a wonderful glow to night skies of Kumbhalgarh. You can climb up right to the top of the fort and view the valleys beneath that are home to about 360 temples in and around the area. Sadly many of them seem abandoned and in a dilapidated state.

We sat in the gardens at the base of the fort, as going up to the Fort is not allowed after 5.30PM. The hot summer breezes turned more pleasant and cool and it was nice to spend time sitting on the Shiv temple steps, watching the life around. As it started getting dark swarms of tiny bats flew out of the fort dotting the evening skies. We were amazed at the teeming numbers that seemed to never end. Though the seasonal rush of visitors was absent there were quite a few like us who had come to see the Fort illumination. The lights come on slowly as parts of the fort light up gradually in colors of orange and green, offering a panoramic spectacle that can be seen for miles around in the vicinity.

The next morning we took a nice long walk along the road to the Fort with some canine company who with their wagging tails, keen to act as our escorts, never let us out of their sight! Around 10 AM we climbed up the Fort. The climb can be tedious and tiring but is a delightfully rare experience for city-dwellers like us. It was like taking a tread mill test! We climbed right up to the top stopping at times to take in more air as our lungs were exercised like never before! It took a little over an hour to climb to the top. There is not much to see in the Fort and sadly we had no guide with us; he reached the top much after we did! Even the bats we saw the previous evening that had made the Fort their home, were hidden from view. The climb down was faster. The view of the valley gives a good idea of the vegetation in the area; verdant green patches in the vast desert area of Rajasthan.

Kumbhalgarh is a quaint, small place, peaceful and cool. Early mornings and late evenings are very pleasant. Winters in Kumbhalgarh are pleasant and tourist time for this quiet, charming hill station, hidden in the Aravali Mountains. Thankfully mobile networks other than BSNL will not work here, making a brief holiday more relaxing, peaceful and rejuvenating, away from the bustle of a busy metropolitan life.

Alternative Therapies Have a Charm of Their Own

Alternative healing that goes beyond the physical body has always fascinated me. I feel very blessed to be part of a group of like-minded souls. We meet regularly to discuss, share experiences and experiment with several of them. Most of them are concerned with improving the flow of 'chi' or prana in the body through its meridians and chakras. Our subtle existence is more powerful and meaningful than our physical senses can percieve.

The last decade or so has shown an increased spurt in the use of healing modalites that are classified as alternative therapies. Most of them work on the subtle energy layers that surround the physical body and can make medicinal treatment more holistic. Each modality has a charm and healing value of its own.

Christ and others like him could heal the sick and ailing by redirecting the flow of 'Chi' energy in their diseased physical bodies. Through a powerful rush of 'chi' emanating from their palms, they were actually removing energy blocks from meridians that had caused the disease. With powerfully pure energy meridians backed by a belief system so strong, his healing was instantaneous.

While Reiki can be given hands-down, or distant, Pranic Healing does not require being touched and can also be given at a distance. Both these modalities are good for healing physical body ailments that are chronic or acute in nature. Reiki works on the physical body and its next etheric subtle layer.

Pranic healing works on the aura, or the 'etheric twin' of the physical body. It works on the premise that a disease will first show in the aura before it manifests in the physical body. It is quite effective and may even help eliminate a disease before it actually manifests! Acute pains may find instant relief.

More about Alternative Therapies in a future blog.

Inculcating the Reading Habit In Children

When I was a kid my parents knew the best gift I loved was a book. But those of my generation were lucky not to be distracted with things like video games and TV and easily took to reading like a fish takes to water! It's a tougher task these days for parents to inculcate the reading habit in their child, especially in a world where mindless distractions are limitless.

Reading aloud to kids beginning even at so young an age as two plus is a good idea and one that works! Children love to hear stories and what could be a better than a parent's or a grandparent's lap to snuggle into and hear stories. Hearing a story being read aloud is one way that a child picks up vocubulary and enjoys the closeness with the parent that the exercise offers. It may take just about 10-15 minutes of your time before the child gets into bed and is a nice way to spend quality time with a kid. Each parent can take their turn at it. Most children a quick learners. They never mind a story being repeated to them and soon you will be surprised how they can effectively relate it in their own words using words and phrases from the book! Restrict yourself to not more than a tale or at the most two each night. Dramatising the words in the story through facial expressions or with the right intonations of speech will make things more interesting and fun-filled. It will help understand concepts too. Soon they may want to do the dramatising themselves.

It is a fine idea to pick up small books that cost about Rs.50/- (roughly a dollar) , with animal stories or bed time stories or Aesop's Fables, as these make good bedtime reading for young children. You are sure to find not less than 40-50 short tales in a book and this is enough fodder to last quite a while!

As they grow they will learn to read themselves and before long it can become a hobby. Buy a good stock of such story books and hide them away in place inaccessible to your youngster. Dole them out one at a time when the situation calls for one, like a task done well or good performance in school or having taken care of the kid brother or sister or running an errand for you. Such incentives work well in a parent-child relationship.

As they mature into adults and shoulder responsibilities as parents themselves, cherished childhood memories will help them pass on the habit to their own children!

One Minute Meditation

I regularly watch the program 'Awakening with Brahma Kumaris' and find it very exhilarating to hear Sister Shivani talk about Self- Management, Harmony in Relationships, Challenges in the Modern world and many other interesting subjects.

She has a way to words and analogies. Her articulation speaks of wisdom gathered over incarnations that reflects 'Old Soul' traits. She explains in simple, lucid language that at the root of many or our problems is the exchange of subtle energy that we unconsciously project during our interactions with others. Her talks suggest how we as human beings never explore this wonderful communication channel so as to understand ourselves and others better. She gently and effortlessly leads us to understand the concept that positive thoughts can actually change our lives. All that it requires a few minutes of meditation and silence each morning to get in touch with the Universal Consciousness and tap into that infinitely abundant source of energy so that we remain charged thoroughout the day with positive energy. She emphasizes that meditation recharges our subtle energy levels and can help us to go about or daily activities, without letting interactions with people drain us of our energy.

When caught in an agrument understanding the other as a pure being just like ourselves and sending loving thoughts can actually convey more than words can! Experience tells me this really works. It is just necessary to realise that every other soul like ourselves, is pure in its essence. Friction during interactions comes about because of the roles we play in life. Roles may decide our personality and are just a way to experience earth on this planet.

One of her suggestions that I like and have found beneficial is to tap into this wonderful source for a minute every hour and recharge our batteries so that at the end of the day we are not depleted by negative energy from our own thoughts or those of others around us that we have little control over. The least we can do is take charge of ourselves and our own thoughts. Her emphasis remains that man is the creator of his own destiny and that meditation is the only and the best tool available for a human to work his way through life, working out his karma, choosing to evolve spiritually through his own choice merely by bringing about a shift in attitude.

All our thoughts have their roots in past experience, our belief systems and the information we gather. They give rise to feelilngs. Feelings create attitude. Our attitudes lead us to actions and actions form habits that eventually shape our personality. Personality shapes destiny. Take the reverse route and from destiny you are led to your thoughts, via your peronality, habits, actions and attitude. A mere shift in attitude can result in a change in thoughts and reverse a whole belief system. We are therefore, need not believe that we are puppets in the hands of destiny, but powerful creators of our own. Once we realise this and take to meditation it brings a sense of empowerment and peace. Regular meditation makes this possible.


One minute meditation brings back that empowering feeling that we can remain in control our selves instead of allowing situations to control us. It can be a wonderful empowering tool that is so simple to apply.

The Golden Treasury

On a recent visit to 'Crossword' I chanced to come across a popular book of poems, which is now reprinted and accessible to many more than before. Yes, it's "The Golden Treasury' that I am referring to. There is something special about "The Golden Treasury", a collection of poems selected by Francis Turner Palgrave. I used to pride myself for having a copy, which was unique and not one you would come across today; a dark blue leather-bound small book that my dear mother had won as a prize for English and History when she was in the eighth standard. The date on the first page with a 'prize-awarded to' label goes back to 6th December 1933.

I loved this book that was one of a wonderful collection of many books that belonged to my parents; treasured books that they owned as children, and carefully preserved for later generations to read; books that we as children immensely enjoyed reading in our school days. There was this nice wooden cupboard with a glass front that was like a treasure trove during the summer holidays. The summer heat did not bother me and I spent many hours in the attic, where it was housed, reading my mother's collection of books; books she had earned as prizes throughout her school career. There were a couple of red-colored, hardbound books of fairy tales and tales for young children that transported me to a world of make-believe. There was also a wonderful big huge, brown leather-bound copy of the World Pictorial Atlas and some bound versions of National Geographic that was even in those days, a treasured magazine with beautiful color plates of nature, geography, astronomy and wildlife. There were many more interesting books, which unfortunately I can't recall now.

But over the years they soon got dog-eared; the paper of their pages turned yellow and crumbly and we had little choice but to give them away. All except one, "The Golden Treasury". I loved to read the poems in it. Whenever we learnt a new poem in school, I would love to glean through its pages looking for the same poem. It brought me immense joy to see the same one in print, especially since " The Golden Treasury" was a prize my mother had won! It is intact, even today considering the years gone by, it's original glory untouched by time. It still remains with me as a part of my book collection wrapped in fond memories of my childhood and above all the loving energy of that dear soul who was my mother.