Tarpana

Ivonne Nelson is one of the AMAZING healers I see when I'm in Minneapolis.  She does all kinds of different energy & body work, including akashic records consultations, level III reiki, ayurvedic counseling and psychotherapy (she has a doctorate in clinical psychology), and she has worked with me using all of these modalities.  The one that was most powerful for me however, was something called tarpana. 

According to her website, "tarpana is  a powerful ayurvedic forgiveness ritual which is extremely beneficial in trauma healing, and interpersonal conflict resolution. It can facilitate healing of relationships, increases inner strength and connection with our true essence. Tarpana can clear relationship blocks and patterns and realign relationships in a graceful and peaceful way. It is also extremely healing for any type of physical, emotional or sexual abuse."  http://enliiven.com/

I had 2 different tarpana sessions with her, about 3 years apart, and both times my body intensely purged (somewhat violently) ALOT of toxic crap.  After the first one, my body released several pounds of a black, tar-like substance and in the next couple days I got a really severe cold, passed a kidney stone and threw my back out.  The second time around I ended up in the emergency room with severe intestinal cramping and everything that was in my digestive system came out one way or the other.... and of course the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me.  It took me a day or two to realize that I had just done the session with Ivonne and when I remembered what happened the last time, it all made sense. 

I realize my personal experience may not be the most ideal "advertisement" for doing this kind of healing work, but not everyone processes and releases the same way.  I know that my experiences and emotions tend to manifest more strongly in a physical way in my body, so when it's time to get rid of the "build-up", apparently I need to brace myself and take a few days off;-)  Both of these experiences helped me to realize just how important it is to "deal with" the non-physical side of ones' overall wellness and how much one can affect the other. I highly recommend it;-)

The following is an alternative, more traditional definition/interpretation of what tarpana is.  It includes instructions on how you can "perform" a healing ceremony yourself, however, I've never done it this way and it is different than how Ivonne does it.  I believe it's is a more traditional way to do it that more closely mimics the way ancient cultures practice it.  Ivonne facilitates the ritual with a little bit of a modern "edge", incorporating her knowledge of psychotherapy, but still stays true to the ceremony's ayurvedic roots. 

TARPANA (Relationship Healing)   http://www.ayurvedichealers.com/tarpana.html

A healing ceremony that is used to release constraining thoughts about our relationships to others and to empower ourselves as an active co-creator of our lives. While Ayurvedic practices embrace foods, herbs, oils, and lifestyles as crucial healing modalities, it also acknowledges that our sense of connectedness to all things may be the most powerful factor in our well-being. By freeing us from the power of the negative thoughts that we hold about our relationships to others, Tarpana is a way to experience our true connectedness with all of creation. The ceremony helps us understand that it is possible to change how we view the world and how we feel about ourselves and our connection to others in the universe.

Begin the ceremony alone in a quiet and dimly lighted space. Light candles and incense and begin a form of breathing called the "re-birthing" or "connected" breath by breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Allow the inhalation and exhalation to be connected and don't control the exhalation, allow it to excape at its own pace like a long sigh. When you are in a relaxed frame of mind, begin the unblocking process by first calling forth your ancestors and then anyone you have ever been in a relationship with.

Begin with your mother or father, then continue through each ancestor and other significant people. Visualize them standing before you looking into your eyes. Remember what they looked like, using your own memory or images from photographs. Remember your experiences with them or stories you have heard about them. Visualize them receptive to listening to what you want to say to them. Begin the clearing by saying "What I want you to know is__________." Then tell the ancestor what you have felt about them. Are you grateful for gifts or genetic tendencies that you inherited? Do you feel yourself victimized by them in some way? Discuss with them your role in the co-creation of your relationship. Take this opportunity to forgive yourself and your ancestor. If you truly forgive then you are a ble to leave the experience behind you and no longer carry it with you. With forgiveness comes the ability to turn adversity into a catalyst for growth and a new sense of gratitude for the gifts they have given you.

Conclude your ceremony by symbolically serving your ancestor their favorite food or drink, something they would have enjoyed. In your mind's eye, visualize them taking your offering, consuming it, and smiling. Then look directly into their eyes and see if you can experience them giving you a blessing--wishing you success in life, blessing you as you find your path, freeing you from obligations to them, and freeing you to pursue your own passion and purpose. Accept their blessing and visualize them walking in the light of their own path. Bless their path as they leave.

Conclude the Tarpana session by being centered and repeating positive affirmations: "I am love, I am one with all things, I am peace, I am joy, I am prosperity, I am forgiveness, I am trust, I am fulfillment." And so it is.