Varma in Germany
The reason for my being in Germany was the invitation of a young man, Raphael, himself a teacher of Varma Kalari. Raphael and his brother Paulus had long fulfilled the wish of their guru to establish a Kalari training center in their home country. Having become acquainted with Pal Pandian, Raphael invited me to come attend to various people with Vasi Healing®. After a few months of preparation and a ton of emails with 30 or 40 people, I packed up and headed to Havixbeck Germany, the home of the European location of the Indian School of Martial Arts.
Raphael drove some hours to personally pick me up at the airport, drive the distance back to his home, and accommodate me per my usual request for a private living area. We were meeting for the first time. Yet, the ease and kinship felt instantly like a family member I was seeing once more after a long absence. We chatted about any and every imaginable topic, yet with an ease and even pace that not once felt strained or unnecessary. Again, like catching up with a brother that I had not seen in years.
Once arriving at his home in Havixbeck we were joined by Daniel, himself a student of Pal Pandian and one who had recently begun his Sidhha Varma learning. He too traveled a good distance and dutifully carried the many items I had asked of him. He faithfully purchased, prepared, and hauled them all with him in a hugely overstuffed suitcase. We hugged mightily as if somewhere in the recesses of our being we knew we were about to embark on something together that would bond us and bring great joy. The instant and spontaneous connection between the three of us was palpable and completely natural.
What happened next can best be described as a self-perpetuating flow. Without the least resistance events unfolded each day and night of themselves. None of us were moved to interfere, take charge, or question what naturally and effortlessly occurred. Even though each day some endless details and changes required our complete involvement and flexibility, the flow carried us along in the most charming manner.
From this platform of brotherly love and communal grace, we began our healing work. Each day, poor Raphael and Daniel had to juggle the details of the treatment of over 30 patients. Scheduling, greeting, and escorting into one of the two rooms, then often staying during the treatment for translation, then dispensing medications, and instructions, answering questions, and scheduling follow-up visits. Again, it flowed of its own accord without strain or undue effort. From my side, the experience was unlike anything I could ever dream.
The range of disorders needing attention was quite vast. Eating disorders, autoimmune issues, intestinal problems, severe psychological derangements, heart-liver-kidney dysfunction, and so forth. I quickly recognized after meeting and treating as many as possible on the first day the schedule going forward would allow for one patient per day to receive Amritha Kalai sessions. Only in this way could I have the time to treat the many people with Varma treatments. What unfolded taught me some valuable lessons. Vasi Healing has many levels and dimensions. What I learned or shall I say, re-learned, is the potency of the divine art of Siddha Varma.
Since I was not able to accommodate every patient with Amritha Kalai, I found myself working with Siddha Varma for disorders that I would ordinarily consider to need long-term treatments. However, that would not be possible. So, I simply proceeded. I have to say that I did not need to “let go” of any doubts. There were so many people and details that I found myself only acting and behaving as if being carried by some force, some flowing presence. There wasn’t time to doubt or overthink.
For instance, one man, extremely active in his career and whose wife had recently passed away came with few obvious ailments. Skin rash and disturbed sleep patterns were the major complaints. After the first session, I turned to Raphael who was in the room for translation and observation purposes. We said a few things to each other. I do not recall what they were, but the summation was that the root issue was sadness and unresolved issues over his wife’s recent passing.
For a disorder like this, it would be common for me to consider that the person should come for sustained Varma and if possible Amritha Kalai sessions. This man would return perhaps 2 or 3 more times for short Varma treatments. I had no more thoughts about it or how to proceed. I was too busy anyway to plan, doubt, or imagine. He came the next day. Then the following day he came and pronounced, in German, his utter delight.
It did not matter what language he spoke for it was obvious to me that the man had transformed. His face, body, and the space surrounding him were free of what had previously weighed him down. A rather reserved man now expressed his change and sincerest gratitude.
I wish to share one more case. A young lady whose husband had died a few years prior had two children. She sought help for arrhythmia, previous puncture of the spine releasing CSF, a previous Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis (probably false), various body pain, and lots of fears and insecurities (common to perhaps 75% of the patients there). Two things occurred in our first Varma session. She cried spontaneously and had a hard time stopping. Again, Raphael was in the room to translate. She spoke of her son and his issues in life. He had ADHD and behavior issues to such an extent that she had become obsessive about his well-being. She doubted that he would ever find his way in life even though he was only 17 years old at the time.
The initial treatment concluded. She returned the next day for another Varma session. Before we began she once more began to cry uncontrollably. This time it was just the two of us and her English was good enough for me to understand the issue she was hyper-focused on. Her son and his wild ways had so deeply disturbed her that she felt completely overwhelmed and helpless. I listened for some time. Then I asked some questions. Uncharacteristically, I found myself spontaneously offering a few words that Pal Pandian had spoken in my presence regarding children and parenting. To this day I have no idea what I said to her. What I do know is that it dove straight inside her being to the very heart of this woman.
When the next day came she arrived for her treatment a completely changed woman. The only tears were soft droplets of gratitude. What happened and how is known only to the Guru and divine Lineage. Raphael, Daniel, and I looked on in awe and happiness.
When I returned home to the USA she stayed in contact and eventually asked for help for her son. We spoke at length and again Pal Pandian’s words regarding the subject came out to greet her. She was most doubtful that the boy would be interested in any of these things. His habits consisted of playing video games, getting up to general mischief with the few boys that would hang out with him, drinking some beers, and eating junk food. No attention in school and constantly disciplined to the point of being expelled. He was distant and uninterested in his mother, much less any guidance she would offer.
She was surprised that when she approached him about taking Siddha herbals for his condition, his reply was not just positive. It was a resounding yes to not only taking them but also being involved in the protocol. Siddha herbals, gradual food changes, and daily routine replacements were all seamlessly adopted by the young man. In a few short weeks, he changed quite a bit. After a few months, he was unrecognizable. Well-adjusted, polite, and conscientious was his new way of meeting life. What touched this young man to be filled with the spirit to transform spontaneously? The bounty of the Siddha tradition is limitless and unknowable.