... psychology of the chakras at ripples bookstore, robinsons galleria ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, quezon city, manila, philippines)

it was a wonderful time i had at ripples bookstore, robinsons galleria, having a discussion group on the topic "psychology of the chakras:  letting go of emotional baggage that block your energy centers."  the participants were all very enthusiastic as well as honest in asking questions and in sharing their life stories.  i felt as if i learned as much from them as they did from me.

in the 1950s, an eminent psychologist by the name of abraham maslow identified a hierarchy of basic human needs which he explained had to be satisfied before a person could experience a state of self-transcendence. for maslow, self-transcendence occurs after the following needs are met in sequential order:  physiological needs --> safety needs --> belongingness needs --> esteem needs --> self-actualization.

four thousand years before abraham maslow, the ancient people of india already had an equivalent hierarchy found in the chakra system of their yogic tradition.  their sequence goes as follows:  survival and self-preservation needs --> sexuality and self-gratification needs --> power and self-definition needs --> love and self-acceptance needs --> communication and self-expression needs -->  intuition and self-reflection needs --> spirituality and self-knowledge needs.  when the lower needs are unmet or are not fully satisfied, they become psychological obstacles in attaining the ultimate goal of the yogic system which is union with God.

maslow's hierarchy of needs and the chakra system are reminders for us that we need to deal with the physical, emotional, and mental baggage in the different aspects of our lives so that we can reach our fullest human and spiritual potential.

... touch psychotherapy, psychiatric acupuncture, and tarot card psychotherapy at the psychological association of the philippines PAP 2012 convention ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, quezon city, manila, philippines)

the last time i attended a convention of the psychological association of the philippines (PAP) was almost a decade ago, to do a workshop where i taught an arnis (filipino stick-fighting) routine which could be used for emotional growth and healing.  i remember that workshop to be attended by around a hundred participants who had fun practicing the arnis sequence on each other using rolled-up newspapers instead of actual wooden sticks.  

this time, my purpose in attending the 3-day PAP convention at the cebu waterfront lahug hotel was to man the booth of life change recovery center (LCRC) and distribute flyers.  besides that, I did free 5-minute sessions for anyone interested in experiencing the dellosa approach to touch psychotherapy, psychiatric acupuncture, and tarot card psychotherapy.  lo and behold, the number of PAP participants who lined up for the 5-minute sessions totalled more than a hundred fifty-  almost 50 people per convention day.  

  

the best experience i had was to be of service to my fellow psychologists who felt some degree of physical, emotional, and mental relaxation through their sessions with me.  the next best thing was meeting old friends and making new ones.  

the moment i arrived back in quezon city, the first thing i did was to get a good massage and dine in a fancy restaurant.  now it was my turn to take good care of myself. and by the way, a big hello to all you friends i met at the convention!