Away from Toronto last week on a research excursion and back again to life here. After 8 hours of flying, a 4 hour drive to the airport, a dash to TBM's (Toronto Body Mind)) house-warming party on Saturday, it was no wonder friends here asked, "Hey, how come you don't say hi when I see you?"

My mind was not in this body; my body was not mine either!

Travelling to Switerland was a planned affair in which I visited a village in the Northern part (German speaking) called Wuerenlos (near Baden). No one should try to pronouce this who cannot speak German well! I conducted qualitative research (i.e, focusing on depth rather than breadth) on the effects of the healing properities in a cave known for its healing powers and energy fields. People from all over the world book individual sessions to spend time in the cave to heal their body, mind and spirit.

From the inside out
Founded by Emma Kunz (1892 to 1963, a nurse, healer, researcher and artist), her work has been thoughtfully preserved by Anton Meyer in 1986, the Director of the Center. As background when Anton fell ill in 1941 by becoming completely paralyzed, Emma began conducting research on natural healing remedies. From this she discovered there were special properities not only in the rock itself but energy fields surrounding the structure of the cave called Grutto in German. Emma discovered the healing properities of a rock called AION A (a Latin word meaning without limitations). In Europe a piece of the rock can be purchased at local pharmacies called Apotheke in German. The rock is often prescribed by doctors and pharmacists as a part of the patient's healing process. Learn more: The Cave

From the outside in
Emma also worked with pendulums creating over 70 pieces of artwork; each peice resembling an elaborate mandalas. The designs are unique and contain very special messages. She is quoted as having said,

"One day people will understand my work."
Certainly without being an expert one can see her creations were not put together on-the-fly, but created over several weeks if not months of intense labour, thought and devotion. Each design is understood as manifesting from a natural instinct and urge, emotion and expression of her inner core. All of them were generated from being open to the energetic fields of healing and not from a clever or well-constructed intellect.

A good portion of my research and interest was to observe the levels of sensitivity while in the cave and afterwards. The prerequisite to this research was my personal practice of meditation and regular pranayama (i.e., a series of exercises that channel the energy through body by using the breath). In addition, I did not study or examine the energy map that lays out the exact fields of energy in the cave from the highest to lowest points. Since there are many visitors it was no easy feat to get a time slot. As fate designed it I was able to have a half hour period shared by 2 fellow travellers (one of them, a German fellow was healing a bad back). Time slots are given for each person to visit as only 1-2 people are permitted per visit for half hour durations.

When I entered the cave I walked along the side and felt the cool, damp and dark feeling of the ground underneath my feet. I was drawn to the far right and sat near the side on some of the rocks, which formed a step-ladder on the wall. I later learned where I was sitting was the field to charge the chakras as well as for spiritual impulses (the highest vibration in the cave).

In the cave, I had two clear reactions: 1) an intense feeling of the left side of my face being frozen and as if the muscles were gripping, and 2) a steady steam of air coming out of the left nostril as if it had no end. After sitting for 25 minutes, I felt the 'impulse' to do yoga (that is, yoga exercise).

Sleeping in the cave for the night wasn't half bad either; another adventure in connecting to nature and her healing elements. Interestingly enough, it was not until several days later that I felt the presence of the cave with me; an indescribable feeling of a protective shield around me. It was as if my mental field and aura had been restored.

Emma Kunz Center



PS: Taking photos of yourself is never cracked up to be an easy job.

These were taken with no flash, a 10 second timer (set, run, do) and standing on a rock. :-0