As many of you know, Prudence and I recently returned from a three week retreat at the Oneness University in southern India. Through the teachings at Oneness, we learned to give up our rigid attachments to our minds, thoughts and bodies, and feel connected to the energy in all living things in the universe. At first I was more intrigued by the photographic opportunities of a rich foreign culture, than learning about consciousness. However, as the days slowly passed, I started to get in contact with deep inner disharmonies and sadness that I hadn’t been aware of. As I began to address these with our Dasas (guides) I felt them replaced at first with peace, and then with a deep happiness; perhaps bliss is a better word. Everything seemed to flow easily. Delays, conflicts and problems all melted away and were resolved effortlessly. Hundreds of thousands of people in India travel massive distances just to sit at the feet of these teachers, and I realized with gratitude how freely and with such love, these teachings were given to me, a foreigner who had arrived much more casually and with much less intention.
I learned to meditate and for the first time in my life found I could drop into a space of deep, seemingly endless freedom. I am a pretty physically active guy, but at Oneness, I found myself luxuriating in sleep and calm moments. I started to see everything around me differently. Trees, plants, grass, the hills, and especially the people. Everyone I met was smiling at me. We all seemed like friends even though we spoke different languages. We were communicating with our eyes, so expressively. Everyone’s eyes seemed to say “hello, I am just like you, I know who you are ,I know what you feel, and there is plenty of Love to share for everyone”.
In many foreign countries I have been to, I often feel like a stranger, especially with the huge camera I carry with me at all times. But in India, people seemed to gravitate to me. Numerous times people approached me and asked (in sign language) for me to take their pictures. I was more than happy to oblige. Some of these images will be displayed on the back gallery wall at The Hall Center. Women approached me and asked me to bless their children. What did they see, or sense in me? Did I really change ? Was it THAT noticeable?
Toward the end of our stay we were taught how to get in touch with divine energy of every living thing that surrounds us all the time. We were trained to give the Oneness blessing (DEEKSHA) which is the process of transferring this universal energy to another. We learned to do this by placing hands gently on the head of a person, while they invoked any intention. It tends to promote healing if the receiver invokes an intention relating to their health. Scientific research has shown (there is an article being published in a prestigious Neurology Medical Journal) that this process measurably slows brain wave patterns in the temporal lobes of the brain. The recipient of the Oneness Blessing often feels a sense of calm and peace.One finds that although his problems have not disappeared, they don’t seem so insurmountable; life in general, doesn’t seem as hard and stressed.
Prudence and I plan to return to India, and The Oneness University for a “deepening” of our teachings. We are also very blessed to have one of the head teachers in the university, Anandagiriji, visit us from time to time here in Santa Monica, to introduce the teachings to our friends and patients. If you are interested in attending one of these Satsangs, e-mail us and let us know, or perhaps read the wonderful book “Awakening into Oneness” by Arjuna Ardagh. We carry it in the store.
The strength of the mind-body connection is a powerful and essential tool in healing, and we are happy to share the Oneness Blessing at all of our consults if you wish. We are also hosting a special “day of transformation” on November 17th with our dear friend, healer and Shaman, Maria Elena Cairo. She comes with a magnificence of diverse traditions as a healer and, as one of her tools of transformation, will be imparting the Oneness Blessing to participants. We welcome all of you1
Namaste and Love,
Howard Liebowitz,M.D.
This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.