M.C. begins to open her heart

When I first read about BARS therapy, from the maiden issue of RCWFI Care magazine on November 2007, I felt a strong sense of curiosity. I let go of the thought for some time, trying to rationalize and deny my need for it. Telling myself I had been exercising much internal processing, that my exposure with “Reparenting the Child Within” and other workshops had thought me. I can manage my stress. Not until this October, when my menstrual cycle had been delayed for 2 months, and my throat started to have painful swallowing and breathing, I decided to comply to the inner invitation towards BARS therapy.

I sent an SMS inquiry one afternoon, but as I failed to receive a response in 2 days, I thought my inquiry was not received, so I gave up. Lo and behold David gave me a missed call after 2 days. When I called him back after 3 days, after David called; my heart throbbed. I felt a strong part of me, persuading me "Go for it". Hesitant as I was, I set 2 possible schedules. As I was unable to comply, in our initial meeting, I reset the schedule, and upon meeting with him and Claudine, I felt some sort of connection, and anxiety, though I know within that I am is safe hands.
When we started, I was amazed when Claudine and David looked at me and told me, "You seems to be not living out your dreams". I was taken aback, for deep inside me I am aware they were right.

David started the session with a few minutes of Qi Gong, which is a method of meditation with very slow hand/arm movements a few minutes some swaying (similar to Thai Chi).
David said “Imagine you are under a waterfall.” I did. “Imagined a ball of light.” I did. “Hold it to your chest.” I did. His instruction to hold both hands with index and thumb fingers holding together at the top of my head, I felt some electric current, which makes me feel a bit dizzy, and the back of my head seemingly to reap-off (same feeling whenever I do 15 minutes of treadmill with the speed of 50).

Claudine told me that it was David who will facilitate the rest of my session that day; while she would be there to support the process. After the warm-up session, I was asked to lay down at on a high massage table. Laying down, I got tensed up inside, having an inner mantra, "it is ok to feel my feelings", "it is safe to feel my emotions". Claudine touched my chest and heart, and ask me if I can see my inner child, I say "I do". Claudine was able to read tell me how I felt, my relationship was with my inner child, how much struggle I am experiencing in relating to her, and what simple thing she need from of me.... "To just cry with her, pain". As Claudine exclaimed these words, I suddenly perceived like 5 year old again, wailing over my incest sexual abuse, my regret of having failed suicidal attempt by that age (All the time I thought...and believe was resolved, as I have accepted and forgiven them). Crying with my inner child made me felt more relax, on the table.

During the session, David touched my head and my feet, mumbling some sort of a prayer mantra, and when he is holding my head, he asked me some questions, that would help me be more open, to see the light, and feel the energy flow. I complain about returning, ripping headaches, and utter some soft prayer that made me relax, some times he asked me to just say "Yes" as acknowledgement of openness, willingness to let-go, and surrender. Yes, to newness....Yes to life reconstruction.

Claudine, on the other hand, touched my chest, upper stomach and abdomen, (after I agreed, and gave her permission)... after a few moments of silence, with her hand on top of said areas, she told me how I have been feeling physically for the past few months; as if she was reading it thru an X-Ray film. Towards the end of my session with them that day, Claudine unearthed a past life reality...which answers a long standing question; about my difficulty of feeling my own emotions, as well as my constant throat problems.

My first experience with them was quite scary, but very mending. I was offered to drink a glass of water after our session. To my surprise, the pain in the throat and upper stomach that I feel whenever I drink, swallow, or breath deep was gone. I was able to feel more lighter, and more at ease. With the awareness of my past life connection to my none-feeling, makes me more attune to living, experiencing and having life.

My second session will surely bring out more insights, but this time fear would be gone; as I have experienced an expansive awakening inside, that for 33 years was kept hidden from my consciousness. Thanks to both of you!

Merry Meet!
M. C.

Thanks from Sister Mat

I went to the Assumption Sabbath Place in Baguio City for a one month Renewal Retreat last June 10, 2008

On the second week of my retreat there, arrived a healer in the name of
Claudine. There was an inner desire in me…a wish to have the chance to talk to her. The Lord did not leave my desires unattended. The desire was fulfilled, through my retreat mistress Sr. Isa, who was very sensitive to my needs and desires. She arranged that Claudine and me meet.

Before we went into the healing session, she told me to take off my habit (that is my religious uniform). By the way, I am a Poor Clare Nun for 31 years. Ever since I entered I have not removed my habit so there was an inner struggle whether to give in or not to her suggestion. But since my purpose in coming up to Baguio was to grow spiritually and to know myself better, I convinced myself to give in to the suggestion in order to meet my purpose. Good enough, I brought some jogging pants and t-shirts for my inner garments supposedly if I could not bear the coldness of the place as I was advised by some of my friends as I prepared to go to Baguio.

We had the first healing session. She explained to me that it would take two (2) hours for one session. I was told to lie down on the bed. She asked me my favorite color of which I answered green and blue. She even asked of the shade, which she interpreted as calm and peace. Meditative music was on. I was in a very comfortable position. I observed and listened to her attentively and meditatively as she drew me to a positive outlook of life…positive energies that penetrate into every part of my body. The session lasted two hours and I felt light after. I looked forward to the next session. But before we parted, she told me that she felt very heavy when she reached my chest area, as if there is something blocking. Upon hearing this, I was reminded of an incident wherein a doctor diagnosed me of a heart failure some seven years ago and prescribed me to take medications for maintenance. I took the medicine for a year then I stopped. I thought that this was a confirmation that I really had heart disease. I remained calm and continued to reflect on the goodness of the Lord I am experiencing for the moment. I slowly whispered to myself, “Let His will be done.”

The next session came. Since this is the second time there is already somewhat an orientation of the session and an acquaintance between Claudine and me. The music was on. The breathing this time is synchronized between the two of us and there was focus. In short, we went to the healing session proper right away.

This time when Claudine reached the part of my breast, she stopped, faced me and said, “Sr. Matt, I’ll ask you a question. This is something personal. Tapatin mo ako…Are you in love?” On my part, I was shocked into silence and said to myself, “What a question. What is the connection?” She breathed deeply and said I really feel heavy. With her gesture, I was touched. I pitied her and I managed to smile at her. I had mixed feelings whether to tell her the truth or not. At last, I honestly said yes with a smile and hesitancy. My thoughts clearly went back to the time when I was in love with a guy and as I recalled, I felt light sharing with her. I am convinced the Holy Spirit inspired and enlightened both of us.
While sharing, the heaviness I felt became light as if thorns were slowly uprooted from my chest. That was my sacred moment of Grace. God manifested and revealed to me His great love through Claudine. I was belittled yet I should cooperate with His grace in order for me to grow. I have to accept my limitations and my weaknesses in order for me to let go of the deep anger enveloping my personality for quite some time now, to the point that it affected my relationships especially with the sisters in the community and most of all my health. Now with this simple and honest acceptance of my weakness, I glory God in my life. I am now free to enjoy life to the fullest. I have freedom to live.

Knowing what I had been holding within myself all these years made me feel lonely. I had been holding on to all these rotten feelings and attitudes. Even though it seems late for me to have known these things, I still go forward and make best use of myself while there is still time. God knows what is best for me so I surrender myself fully to him. “Let God work in me, let His grace be sufficient in me,” as St. Paul said.

My gratitude goes to my retreat mistress who was the springboard to have Claudine help me see and hit the core of my weakness.

To you Claudine, since you are the youngest who came to the Assumption Sabbath Place and you are younger than me, I call you “bunso.” It’s my way of expressing my love and respect to you. I love you and I enjoyed your company and for having journeyed with you. I look forward to our next sessions.

May God in all His goodness continue to shower all His blessings and graces upon you and all your loved ones as you continue your great apostolate to establish the kingdom of God here on earth. May God reward you abundantly. I remember you always in my prayers.

In J.M.J.F.C.

Sr. Mary Matthew Fabillar, OSC

Thanks from Ms. Lucy

My trip to your sacred place at Sattvah Welllness Center was well worth my time . Not only was it relaxing but it was an experience that touches the core of who I am and who I want to be . It made me rest my weary soul and body through therapeutic techniques that are effective & soothing to the mind and body, techniques that I can consider "Transcendental " because it transcends what is ordinary and routine.

I strongly recommend this specific wellness therapy to ALL . David and Claudine utilize methods that are proven and tested through all these years by Asian Gurus who are respected in various communities globally . We are fortunate to have these two people in our midst as their combined talent and expertise will bring positive results to our lives .
So what are you waiting for ? Go for it. IT WORKS!

Lucy R. Babaran , R.N., M.B.A.
COO/ VP- Business Development
US Healthcare, Inc. ( USA/Philippines )

Sweet dreams, Marcia.

"Late last year, I was having problems sleeping so I decided to take up David on his unique offering - Energy Medicine Therapy. I did not know what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to lie down then guided through a form of visualization exercise. However, this visualization exercise had a twist. David was also channeling his own energy to me through his hands. After the session, coupled with the Lifewave Silent Nights Pack, my sleep patterns normalized."

Marcia C.

Note: The energy I channelled wasn't from me, I'm just the conduit. I just hook up to the energies of the environment and the "universe" and everything else follows. Glad to have been of help.

David M.

Moving oout of warrior: from astigirl.blogspot.com

Recently, I went to something called Bars Access Energy Therapy. The idea behind it is that the body’s illnesses aren’t caused only by an unhealthy diet or imbalanced (a.k.a. stressful) lifestyle, but also by negative thoughts and emotions. These negative thoughts and emotions block the smooth flow of energy throughout the body in much the same way that cholesterol blocks the easy circulation of blood. Bars Therapy is supposed to “unblock” bottle-necks throughout the body to achieve a smooth, balanced flow of energy.

Not only do I buy this idea, I sell it. I’m one of those staunch believers in mind-body connections and therapies, but when my friend Lizanne, who was so amazed at the insights she had during her own bars therapy, gifted me with a session for my birthday this year, I hedged.
Insights, I thought. Do I really need more of that right now? At that time, I was already five months at work on my second book and I felt I was drowning in insights as it was. So I waited. Two months later--and stuck in a whirlpool called my book’s introduction--I was ready for outside help.

The therapists—or healers—are a male-female team, David and Claudine, in a classic show of balanced yin-yang energy. David is a writer, Claudine, among other things, is psychic. I liked them both instantly. After conducting a short ritual that would “open” me up—to the healing energy, I suppose--they asked me to remove my shoes and to lie, face up, on a massage bed. Both healers decided that David would take the lead (while Claudine would act as support) because, according to them, his energy was closer to mine than Claudine’s. “You’re both writers,” Claudine said in answer to my eye-blinking questioning face.

I expected them to bring out “bars”. And, for some reason, the “bars” I saw in my head were bricks. Somehow, when my friend was telling me about her therapy, I imagined red bricks being piled on her, depending on how stressed out she was. I wondered how many “bars”—bricks--I would require.
In any case, there were no such brick “bars”. The healers explained to me that this kind of therapy got its name from the points on either side of the head which connect to form an imaginary bar.

David pressed his fingers against these points in my head, mumbled some things and told me to “say ‘yes’”. So I said “yes”. He asked if I felt anything and I was tempted to say “yes”, but…”You know, I don’t think I’m really that sensitive…” Then he mumbled some things again and told me to “say ‘yes’”, so I said “yes”.
Meanwhile, Claudine’s lands hovered over my chest. She frowned. She addressed David: “Matigas dito…”

I didn’t understand half of what was happening, and I suspect I wasn’t supposed to. At least, not intellectually. I was practicing a new thing: trying not to think too much. So somewhere in the middle of the session, I stopped trying to understand what was going on and just sort of flowed with it. I don’t know if that inner decision had anything to do with it, but suddenly, there came—ta-dah!--the insights.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama says this about insight: “Even if you seek to help someone out of concern, without insight you cannot be very clear about what benefit will come of your efforts. A combination is needed: a good human heart as well as a good human brain. With these working together, we can achieve a lot.” And, boy, did I want to achieve a lot, beginning with getting myself together. Which, I had come to realize over the past couple or so years, was already a lot of work. Even David, who’s not psychic, seemed to think so. “You’re…well, I wouldn’t say you’re running on empty. But you’re running on one-fourth the energy you need. And it’s decreasing.”
Oh, wow. He knew this from pressing the sides of my head?

I don’t remember who asked about it but suddenly we were talking about the major break-up I just had early this year. How tough it was, how that whole relationship exhausted—depleted—me, and how it came to a point where I had to choose between the survival of the relationship or the survival of me.
“That bad, huh?” Claudine said.
“How do you feel?” David asked for the nth time.
“I’m OK,” I said.
“I mean, do you feel anything now…any sensations?”
“Um…I don’t know,” I said. “I feel cold.”
“Cold?” Claudine asked. She reached over and took my hand. “Malamig nga.”
“It’s the aircon,” I said, unconvincingly. I’d already been told by several doctors—both holistic and conventional—that my blood circulation was poor, which is why my body doesn’t react “normally” to changes in temperature.
“It’s not that cold,” Claudine observed, referring to the room, and I felt her making some connections in her head. She touched my feet. Even with my socks on, they still felt cold. “Hmm…”

David verbalized the connection Claudine must have been making between my cold hands and feet and my “rock hard” chest and solar plexus. He said that my body heat seemed to be concentrated in my torso, that my center was drawing heat from my extremities. As if it was protecting something… “If you can visualize your solar plexus, what does it look like?” Claudine asked.

I didn’t have to think hard. In fact, I don’t think I thought at all because there suddenly was the image of a round thing with rays emanating from it. I described it to Claudine.
“What is it made of?” she asked.
“Metal.” Again, my answer was fast and sure.
“You’re protecting something,” she said, thoughtful. Then, a second later: “You’re protecting a child.”
Hmmm… “You’re protecting your inner child,” she said.Oooh…
“How old is she?” Claudine asked.
“Four,” I said, without hesitation.
“What happened when you were four?” she asked. She asked if any particular memory stood out and I instantly saw this little girl with bangs and a high ponytail wearing nothing but frilly white underpants, socks and shoes.

I had seen those photos of me. I was in the Surigao City airport with my mom, my maternal grandfather, lots of other relatives and family friends.
“People are telling me who I should be,” I said, and even I was surprised as I did so.
“Should…” Claudine was quick to take note of this. “Who are these people—your parents?”
“My parents, my grandparents, my uncles, my aunties, their friends—everyone.” I could actually hear them baby-talking to me, cooing, telling me I should be this and that because I’m so this-and-that. I felt my body tense up.
“Who do you want to be?” Claudine asked.
“Myself.”
“And who do they want you to be?”
I thought a moment. “Themselves.” More specifically, the selves they didn’t think they could be.
I had gone down this road before. Had written about it in countless journal entries over the years, went to psychotherapy as a way to answer the question of why the people in my life couldn’t seem to just let me be. Why they had such set notions about what I should do, how I should behave, who I should love and why, in God’s name, did I feel so threatened by it? As though they really had the power to make me into what they had in mind.
I had finally figured out the answer to the first part (the part where they felt entitled to say who I should be)—at least, in my head, I did—so, as a way to be fair to these “people”, whom I love very much, I explained to Claudine that I am the eldest granddaughter. So I became the natural focus of my family’s affection; that they also naturally projected onto me all the things they wished they could have been, the way people tend to do with a new baby—an assumed blank slate.

The attention was rather intense, me being the first granddaughter (my older cousin, a male, was in Cebu, himself undoubtedly being intensely fussed over by his maternal grandparents and relatives), and it was a habit that just got carried over until I was, oh, thirty-plus? As a reaction, I had become intensely self-protective. Practically all my energy was channeled to fending off meddlers, those well-meaning, sure, but thoroughly invasive, intrusive people who wanted to have a hand in shaping me as a person—those people who just couldn’t leave me alone, goddammit—and laid on the guilt trip. All that effort, all that energy solidified over the years into a “rock hard” torso—I had created for myself a veritable breast plate, not to mention breast cysts. It was exactly what my friend Cecilia, well-versed in the ways of the esoteric, told me just a few months ago, “You follow the truth inside your heart like a warrior. Problema…heart chakra. Forgiveness. Kasi nga warrior pose, eh. Rage is essential to maintain the energy to assert your personal integrity.”
So I told Claudine this. I said, “My friend says I’m forever in warrior pose. It’s my favorite yoga pose.”
“It’s my favorite, too,” Claudine said. “But ‘forever’? That must be so tiring,” she said sympathetically.
“It is,” I said, and I felt like crying. My God, it’s tiring. And, only recently, I also figured out the second part of my seemingly life-long angst (the part where I felt threatened by other people’s desire to mold me)—I was afraid I wasn’t strong enough to fend them off, that one day I’d succumb and live a fake life just to shut them up already, that I’d live a life that made them—but not me—happy.
“You know,” Claudine continued. “You may have kept people out, but you’ve also locked in your authentic self. Let it come out. It’s time you let it out.”
Then she said the words I realized I most needed to hear from another person: “It’s safe to be who you are.”
(If you'd like to experience this kind of therapy, you may reach Claudine Mangasing at +639178958191 or David Montecillo at +639178170396.)