1. Uncover that diamond within

Article for 'O' Magazine – Jan/Feb issue (2003) – 'Love Your Body' – South Africa.
Submitted by Sharon Johnson from the Journey Office, SA.

Mind-body healer Brandon Bays in her international best-selling book 'The Jour-ney' believes that we all come into this world as a pristine, pure flawless diamond, but that through the course of life's pain, our innate brilliance becomes hidden and we present an artificial veneer to the world. At her therapy work-shops, Brandon helps you to look past the layers of muck and catch a glimpse of
the radiant brilliance shining from deep within.

The room was hushed as Esther Samuels (43) rose and took the microphone in front of a group of 100 people. She felt embarrassed and somewhat nervous, but she took courage in her story. A day earlier, Esther had felt helpless and confused. As the Communications Officer at the Provincial Commissioners Office in the Department of Correctional Services in Edgemead, Cape Town, she had reached the end of her tether. Since 1999 she had suffered from depression and she felt dissatisfied with her job, her life, herself. In fact, she had been told that pride was the only thing preventing her from being declared medically unfit.

Her eyes shone as she spoke clearly across the room. 'This morning I rose at 5 am and I heard the birds singing. I walked outside and felt the sun on my skin. I took off my clothes, not caring who might see me and felt the warmth soak into my body. I walked across to the mirror and gazed at my body – it was beautiful despite the lumps and bumps in the wrong places. I slid back beneath the sheets, feeling my naked body against the cool, cotton sheets.'

What had brought about such a profound change in Esther in only 24 hours? What had turned her despair and hatred to joy, peace and happiness? Earlier, Esther had seen a story in her local newspaper about a healing workshop that offered help to victims of trauma and abuse. Not having the funds to attend, she phoned the booking line and, touched by her plight, the organisers had invited her free of charge. She was one of several guests at the Journey video workshop by Jayshree Mannie, Ambassador to South Africa for Brandon Bays. The organisation has an outreach programme in the country which offers help to hospitals, prisons, hospices and centre’s for rape, trauma and addiction.

Esther had been shown at the workshop how to access deep emotions which had been buried in the past, to face these traumas, forgive past injustices and move on in her life. She had been on her own inner journey of healing and in one day the results were phenomenal. There were many tears shed that morning in the group of workshop organisers, therapists and delegates. Someone had recovered from years of suffering as a result of childhood sexual abuse. A beautiful young mother had learnt to cope with the loss of her 15-year old daughter from lupus disease (SLE) and an alcoholic had not had his usual daily bottle of brandy – he intended to now quit his smoking habit of 60-a-day.

Medical research is proving the powerful effect emotions have on our bodies. In her book, 'Molecules of Emotion', Dr. Candace Pert explains: 'Molecules of emotion run every system in our bodies and.. this communication system is in effect a demonstration of the body-mind’s intelligence – an intelligence wise enough to seek wellness and one that can potentially keep us healthy and disease-free without the modern high-tech medical intervention we now rely on.'

All Brandon's healing work is based around a central notion: 'I believe after years of work in the mind-body healing field, that everything happens for a purpose and a reason. Once you learn what the disease or physical block has to teach you and you finally let go of the emotional issues shared in the cells, then, and only then, can real healing begin on all levels – emotional, spiritual and physical.' Having recovered from a football size tumour in only six and a half weeks – no drugs, no surgery – Brandon now travels the world helping others to heal.