Artist: Grace Geiger
Title: Yindili Dreaming
Medium: Pastel and Metallic paint
Contact: gracegeiger@hhotmail.com
Feature Article
When we look out into the midnight sky, we can be in awe of the thousands of stars glimmering out there in space. Then we can become aware of the fathomless infinite space in which these stars appear. We have a sense of timeless stillness and silence that is utterly peaceful. As we gaze upwards, we could say the diversity of stars appear within the unity of this infinite space. The stars will come and go, but the space will always remain.
This is mirrored within us – we can become aware, as perhaps closing our eyes we gaze into inner space, that this too is infinite; there is no place where it ends, or edges to be found. Perhaps we can begin to sense the timeless stillness and silence that is profoundly peaceful here too. Then we can become aware that there are also forms that appear in the inner space – inner stars, in the forms of thoughts, pictures, emotions and physical sensations. We could say that the diversity of these inner forms appear within the unity of this inner space. The thoughts, pictures, emotions, and sensations will come and go, but the inner space, the stillness and silence, the profound peace, will always remain.
But it is our tendency to put our attention on the forms – the stars in the night sky, the thoughts and emotions within, the sounds rather than the silence they emerge from – and in so doing, miss the experience of the Infinite within, in which all is contained, both internal and external.
An initial stage would be to deliberately focus our attention on the space – externally as the space in which forms appear, the silence from which sounds emerge, the stillness in which movement appears.
Internally, we would focus on the internal space, the silence and stillness there, as the witness to it; noticing the forms that appear there (thoughts, sounds, sensations etc.) but recognising them as the passing play of forms, coming and going like scenes in a play. And we remain the detached witness; our attention remaining (or returning to, as necessary) the background of infinite space, stillness and silence.
As we follow this practice in our daily meditation and in the moments of life, we can become aware of the container and the contents. And we can differentiate between the two. It is the contents that are passing shadows on the stage of life. It is the container that is the foundation; the unity from where all the myriad of forms – Life in its diversity – are birthed, live and pass away.
We can discover the value of choosing where we place our attention.
On from here, and after we have established this foundation firmly, we can begin to be aware that the forms are not separate from the formless space in which they appear; the sounds are not separate from the silence they emerge from; the movement, e.g. of the breath, is not separate from the ever-present stillness. We can embrace the experience of both dimensions simultaneously. After some time practising with this awareness, we can finally recognise that we as witness awareness are also not separate from that which we are aware of. The inner and outer, the form and the formless, the silence and the sounds, the stillness and the movement of life and we as the witness awareness, are one. The seeming diversity of awareness, container and contents become the absolute unity for which there are no further words.
This is here expressed in words and can be acknowledged intellectually. Or perhaps cannot be comprehended. Through application of the suggested stages, with regular practice, understanding will come. On the other hand, nodding the head one can agree with the truth expressed. However satisfying this might be, it is a quantum dimension of difference to apply oneself to the practices suggested and to make these stages of awareness one’s own. An experienced guide can be of utmost assistance and can both smooth and speed the stages of inner and outer transformation.
Gisele Bay-Jespersen has been meditating for 42 years, starting at nine years old, and teaching here in North Queensland for the last 15 years. She offers personal sessions, classes and workshops, and retreats both within Australia and overseas. P: 07 4032 2992 M: 0412 966 156 E: giselebj@bigpond.com
Regular Article
I would like to introduce a massage method developed by the German massage therapist Ricky Welch in 1999. ‘Aurum Manus – golden hands!’ was a spontaneous exclamation of a Latin teacher after receiving a massage by Ricky. Thus, he had found the name for his unique massage.
Ricky Welch is a very successful and devoted massage therapist who developed his own style very early in his career. Being the official massage therapist of the rock band ‘Scorpions’ and touring with them around the world for eight years, gave him the opportunity to learn a lot of different massage methods, additional to his German massage degree from Heidelberg. He visited massage schools and clinics wherever he was, so he learned Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Lomi Lomi Nui, Turkish Hamam massage, Ayurvedic massage and a lot more. After that time he decided to settle down and open his own clinic. He planned to create a unified system of massage derived from the many elements he had learnt. Within a couple of years and a lot of refining and adding his own ideas, following his intuitions he developed Aurum Manus®.
I came in touch with Aurum Manus® in 2008, the year before I moved from Germany to Australia with my husband. I met an Aurum Manus® teacher as a coincidence (if coincidences exist) while I was finishing another course. I had never heard of it before, but it sounded very interesting. After receiving a massage from him I was fascinated! It combined some elements I already used separately and some new aspects for me, in a very smooth way, like a dance! And I felt so relaxed! I decided to learn this wonderful massage technique before I left Germany, and bring it to Australia. It took me a while, managing hurdles like getting registrations and visas and finding the right place to work, altogether nearly two years. But now the hurdles are taken and I have started to introduce Aurum Manus®.
The basic elements of an Aurum Manus® massage are massage strokes, the use of warmed oil and crystal balls and the stimulation of acupressure points and meridians. Stroking, kneading, pressing and stretching the muscles on the whole body relaxes tight and painfully tense muscles. The massage is done in a continuous flow; the hands always stay in contact with the recipient, so a constant energy flow is maintained. High quality massage plant oil, enriched with essential oils, is used, warmed in a special container heated by a candle. The crystals are laid in the oil and warmed. Then they are glided and rolled on the body, guided by the hand or just the fingers. Other crystals are used in a cold state. The warm and cold crystals are used in an alternating way, like the warm and cold water treatments pioneered by Sebastian Kneipp. The massage is like a flowing dance between warm hands in close contact with the person being massaged; the crystals flow in and out, as diving in and out of a flowing stream or river.
Some of the crystals and their main properties engaged in the massage are:
Jade or Nephrite, used for detoxification and elimination of body toxins, fortifies ‘kidney chi’, the central life energy, stimulate liver, gall bladder and kidneys;
Rose Quartz, the warm-heartedness crystal, is used for creating a sense of well-being and enhancing emotional sensitivity;
Citrine brings sunshine into the heart and soul and has a harmonising effect on the nervous system.
Rock Crystal brings about a sense of clarity, helps to see things for what they really are;
Smoky Quartz is used as an anti-stress crystal;
Mookaite fortifies the centre, balances between inner peace, stability, positive dynamism and activity;
Amethyst is the crystal of inner peace; it helps to deal with conflicts;
Dumortierite, the ‘take it easy’ stone, helps relieve stress and nervousness.
Jade or Nephrite is usually the main therapy crystal; only when the recipient is pregnant is it replaced by rose quartz. The additional crystals used in the treatment are chosen by intuition; usually 3-5 different crystals are used in one massage. Kidney, bladder, liver and gall bladder meridians are stimulated to improve detoxification and engage the flow of chi. Acupressure points in the face are stimulated to relieve migraines and stress.
This is only a rough description of the main elements, but of course the whole is so much more than the sum of its parts! Aurum Manus® massage detoxifies, relaxes, energises. It is very successful in alleviating and eliminating the effects of stress and tension, physical and mental. A lot of migraine and tinnitus patients have very positive results. And overall – to receive an Aurum Manus® massage is a very special experience. It allows taking a break from everyday worries and is deeply relaxing. Just dive into a world of crystals, warm oil and warm hands…
Dunja Kober