Placing a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on her family’s vacation itinerary, Lena had no idea of the importance of her decision, how it would later profoundly transform her life. At the museum with her husband and children by her side, she suddenly gravitated to a room boasting an impressive display of Asian shrines and statuary. Drawn to a particularly striking sculpture of Kuan Yin, Lena believed the statue was comforting her, speaking to her.

Praying to Kuan Yin, she and her family asked for assistance with the many challenges they faced ahead. Weeks later, with the safe birth of her daughter, Lena believed her prayers had been answered. Nowadays, upon entering Lena’s house, one is greeted by a small menagerie, a beautiful assemblage of female deity figurines and images: Guadalupe, Mother Mary, as well as an extensive array of Kuan Yin images and statuettes grace her walls and mantle.

A librarian, student and mother of three, Lena had originally scheduled an appointment with me early in March 2004, to discuss and troubleshoot her college graduation project. Not knowing much about hypnosis, she was anxious to discover if she could go into trance.

To satisfy my Client-Centered Hypnosis internship practitioner hour requirements, I agreed to hypnotize Lena. To my amazement, I heard Lena speak, while in trance, powerful phrases and metaphor that were utterly foreign to her. Incredibly, upon waking from her trance, she remembered nothing. Believing Lena’s first encounter with the Goddess Kuan Yin was a chance one-time event, I listened attentively (but with a healthy skepticism) during our second session together. By the third episode, I knew that something incredible had occurred.

From her first hypnosis induction, forward, Lena realized she had a personal “channel”, some mysterious and lingering association with the Eastern Deity, Kuan Yin. From the onset, it appeared Lena had a natural affinity with the Goddess. I, on the other hand, had difficulty (at least in the beginning) accepting Kuan Yin as my muse.

Further into this channeling phenomenon, it was revealed that Lena had worshipped Kuan Yin throughout many lifetimes, that because of their former relationship Lena’s personage is compatible for bearing Kuan Yin’s compassionate message. When transcribing the Kuan Yin material, I often wondered if she somehow knew Lena would always ask selfless questions, that because of her love for humanity, Lena had true compassion.

A hypnotist for over twenty years, I could detect (during Lena’s and Kuan Yin’s exchanges together) no interference from her persona. I recognized her absolute transparency, realizing I was witness to true mediumship, one who transmits communications from the spirit world.

Known by thousands throughout the ages, Kuan Yin has periodically appeared and spoken to villagers throughout the Orient. Spreading comfort and wisdom, she is the embodiment of mercy and compassion. Consecrated ground, Kuan Yin’s sacred sites are considered her abodes. Because of their purity, these locations are also designated as her pilgrimage sites, places of worship.

“Living Bodhisattvas”, (those energies reincarnated in the tradition of spokespersons for the Goddess of Compassion and Mercy) speak and sing incantations of Kuan Yin’s infinite mercy and wisdom. Channels relaying the ancient spiritual parables, they accompany pilgrims, providing hope and encouragement during the long and arduous journeys to Kuan Yin holy sites. Also known as Avalokitesvara, Laskadyo, Water, Moon Goddess, and Deity With A Thousand Eyes, Kuan Yin is worshipped at temples, pagodas and shrines throughout the world. Now, appearing again, speaking through Lena at this crucial historical moment, Kuan Yin offers her wondrous insight and wisdom, spirituality for our times.

Though Lena was in full trance during the sessions, the format of The Living Word of Kuan Yin manifested as timely and sometimes intense questions and answers between her and Kuan Yin. Impressed by Lena's polyphonism, I could only marvel at her ability to precisely detail her and Kuan Yin's deeply spiritual and thought-provoking dialogue. Indeed, Kuan Yin concedes: “it is difficult for some to hear the voices of the Divine Spirit."

To conduct a comprehendible alpha conversation is challenging, at best. However, Lena's verbal adroitness made Kuan Yin's often-challenging precepts approachable for the common reader. Possessing an uncanny ability for relaying complex phrases and concepts of not only Kuan Yin, but those who no longer dwell in the physical world, Lena accurately relayed discussions with other spirits who could, quite unexpectedly, voice their opinions during the Kuan Yin sessions.

The story of the manifestation of this book is as fascinating and wondrous as its message. A tapestry of found pieces to the cosmic puzzle coupled with astounding phenomenon, what followed was a journey into Kuan Yin’s world: a place of lush bamboo forests, mystic waterfalls and rock formations and all nature of flora and fauna, even stars and galaxies! It is also a place of eloquent insights and metaphor.

Previous to meeting Ms. Lees, I was deeply involved in studying about the five human brainwave periodicities. Initially, the information I was in the process of gathering was intended for use in a final project for my Client-Centered Hypnosis class. A counselor and artist for over twenty years, I strived to learn as much as I could about what I termed the human “spectrum of consciousness”. Possessing a deep curiosity concerning the various and specific complex human behaviors and interactions occurring within the five-brainwave frequency ranges, I was especially intrigued by the trance (alpha), dream (theta) and gamma (ultra high frequency) ranges.

During this same period of my life, I also began another project, a portrait. As an artist, I sometimes get called, inspired by some muse to create a spirit painting, to depict visages or people not of this world. This genre of painting is sometimes referred to as visionary painting. Feeling some urgency, the spirit energy channeling through me, I quickly set brush to canvas. Erudite features: elaborate, bejeweled headdress atop her dark, swept-back hair, I could only conclude she was descended of Chinese royalty. Working feverishly, I never completed my vision. Unfortunately, with the hypnosis class consuming all my time and energy, I was compelled to put the painting on the back burner. Returning to the canvas over a year later, I recognized exactly who this woman was.

During this same period, in my life, I’d also experienced two auspicious dreams: In the first, I was engaged in painting an image of a yacht. Dissatisfied with the results, I left the canvas perched idly upon its easel. Venturing out into the darkness, I found myself at the edge of a small harbor. Drawn by the siren-like clanging of the moored boats, one craft in particular seized my attention. Completely entranced, I realized it bore a great resemblance to the painting I’d abandoned.

Approaching the boat, I gingerly stepped from the shore onto a single wooden plank, the only apparent route. Edging forward, I couldn’t know whether this narrow beam was a real dock or just flotsam on the water. Nearing its end, my bodyweight suddenly overwhelmed the flimsy and treacherous board, submerging it, and me along with it. Then, I felt my body go deep beneath the waves. Gasping, I eventually shot out of the dark, mysterious waters, back into waking reality. In the second dream, I was a baby crying idly in my crib. Suddenly soothed by the rhythmic flapping of wings, I ceased my futile wailing. “You see?” explained a voice from the ethers, “Even as a baby, you perceived and were comforted by the sounds of nature. You intuitively knew the source just as you intuitively understood you were safe.” Later, in the same dream, I experienced myself as an adult standing in an auditorium. To my amazement, I was being honored in a ceremony. Reverently, a young boy placed a conch shell at my feet.

Awake and perplexed, I wondered about the significance of the conch shell. Not too familiar with Buddhist precepts, I was told by a friend that such a shell most likely represents right speech. I wondered later if the dream depicted a degree of intuitive maturity: right speech that would greatly assist me in interpreting the Kuan Yin material’s more complex passages.

Towards the end of completion of the manuscript, I discovered another, perhaps more fitting explanation, integral to Kuan Yin’s forty-two “emblems”. In John Blofeld’s Bodhisattva of Compassion, The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin, the conch shell is designated as number twenty-seven and its spiritual significance is described as follows:
“For summoning Divas (gods) and beneficent spirits.”

In previous years, there had been other dreams also portending the coming of a greatly honored personage or work. Now, I’m certain that both paintings and dreams were preludes to the imminent arrival of Kuan Yin.
 
Still engaged in my research, I focused upon the importance of belief and intention: their influence upon events occurring in each of the five brainwave periodicities. I was fascinated to learn, while cramming for my hypnosis certification, that newer hypnosis philosophies; specifically Client-Centered Hypnosis techniques teach that a client’s intention, and trance-goal determines the structure and focus of each hypnotic experience. The clear difference is that traditional hypnotic inductions utilize standardized scripts usually not requiring client-input.

Conversely, Client-Centered hypnosis provides a customized script based entirely upon the individual client’s issues, goals and even phraseology. This is established during the all-important intake period and is a crucial first step in setting the stage for one’s inner work. Utilizing the client’s own goals and phraseology, during the hypnosis countdown as well as during the actual trance experience the hypnotist helps to personalize and create a familiarity the client can identify with. Further, one’s intention and words have the power to activate specific and relevant memories.

Having experienced this process, personally, I understand the power of intention and words, how they can greatly assist in accessing profound meaning and answers for one’s life. Client-centered hypnosis techniques, I am certain, were instrumental in helping my client, Lena achieve her deep trance-level.

Once a client reaches a satisfactory level of trance, there is an opportunity for problem solving such as learning how to be calm, build self-esteem, alter unhelpful habits through positive imagery, etc. or to process whatever issue is presenting itself to the client.

In February of 2004, I invited an acquaintance, Lena Lees, to experience this new client-centered approach to hypnosis. I explained that I had several years of prior therapy experience and that I was still immersed in my client-centered studies. I told Lena her session with me would fulfill my weekly homework requirement. Describing the process, I also delineated another countdown technique our class was presently focused upon called transpersonal hypnosis. Informing Lena that she had the option of either a traditional or transpersonal countdown, we set the appointment date.

Transpersonal hypnosis employs a ten to zero countdown similar to a traditional countdown protocol. Once, however, one has established her safe place, a resource fallback position if, for any reason, one feels unsafe during trance, she is directed to her sacred place. One’s sacred place is whatever the client experiences, once the directive is made. Sacred places vary greatly from one individual to the next but very often represent one’s deepest sense of the divine.

Agreeing to meet with me for her first trance induction, Lena mentioned during our phone intake together, that her goal for her first trance experience was to receive guidance on how to refine her college graduation thesis, to get a better idea of how her final project would take shape:

Utilizing the client-centered approach, I conducted the standard interview, completing a custom intake sheet for Lena. Understanding that Lena had initially come to trouble-shoot the particulars for her college field study project, I explained that my homework project had to do specifically with transpersonal hypnosis. Detailing further, I relayed that even a very pragmatic question, such as hers, could still be addressed in one’s potentially more spiritual, transpersonal trance. Choosing the transpersonal countdown instead of the traditional countdown, Lena then laid back and got comfortable.
 
Conducting the countdown (utilizing Lena’s own intentions and vocabulary), I spoke the words that would direct Lena to her safe place. Acknowledging her arrival, Lena described the beautiful Pennsylvania woods of her childhood. Her safe place was a cornfield near the backyard of her home. Lingering in the field, she experienced the blazing colors of a fall sunset: the east coast crisp, autumn air. Asked if she would like to now experience her sacred place, Lena agreed, finding herself in a beautiful bamboo forest. Traveling a bit further, she found herself in a beautiful garden with a waterfall. I asked Lena if she was ready to invite in her spirit-guide. What transpired next was a phenomenon I never would have imagined. Slowly, Lena began to speak:

“Yes, I see her. Today, she looks older than I’ve always believed her to be. She has aged beautifully. She is kneeling down beside me. She is so wise. I hear her now speak to me:”

“You’ve known me. I am no stranger.”

“I am straining, confused. I’m trying to remember other times, places where I might have known Kuan Yin. In this trance, however, I’m only focused on the now,” explained Lena.

“Look beyond what this world offers.” Kuan Yin instructed.

“Laid out before Kuan Yin is a beautiful oriental carpet with intricate design,” described Lena: “Watching her suddenly lift the carpet, I hear Kuan Yin say, ‘Seek out another place beyond this earth. Be in the now. Where you are right now is what is important. Slow down. Everything is too chaotic. Lay down everything you need to do.’

“She is holding a beautiful vial. I know it holds a liquid that reminds people of their Oneness, and makes them feel lighter and aligned with spirit. It is a stress-relieving ointment.”

Kuan Yin then concluded for the day: “You love confections as they remind you of the sweetness of life. Take caution, however, not to overindulge. Too much of any substance can create an imbalance. You’re not just your bodies, you know. Keep your spirit connection. Gravity and chemicals are more influential upon the body when one is not connected with spirit. Connection with spirit can help overcome even genetic and hormonal limits.”

In the weeks and months to come, I believed this was no accident; that somehow Lena was able to bring from her hypnotic trance to waking reality, highly relevant information; wisdom to live by. Witness and scribe to this sage discussion between Lena and her muse, Kuan Yin, I knew that something spiritually monumental was unfolding before my very eyes.

References: The Living Word of Kuan Yin, paperback edition: The Living Word of Kuan Yin<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Living-Word-Kuan-Yin/dp/1419646400">Click here to go to the webpage.
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ebook edition: The Living Word of Kuan Yin <A HREF="http://ebooks.ebookmall.com/ebook/275300-ebook.htm">Click here to go to the webpage.
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