(Fist published on Aug 2nd, 2018 here)
Most of the times, when we begin our self-development journey, a coach can clearly help. However, the area of expertise the coach covers is very important, in order to bring us the exact value we seek.
A few weeks ago, I was doing just fine. Or so I thought. However, I wanted to talk to Rahila as a friend. Just to get to know her, as I do with all my interviewees. But she’s an intuitive coach for a reason! She felt there was a stringent need for something different. So, for the first time since I started the interviews series, it was me to answer my future guest’s questions, in a discovery session. Instead of getting to know her, she got to know me very well, in the warmest way possible.
Let me introduce you to the person that managed - in an hour - to meet my inner child and bring my awareness over thoughts and feelings I never thought I had hidden for so long.
Enjoy learning from an exquisite mind!
***
1.Hi Rahila, for the ones that never had a chance to learn about you, kindly please introduce yourself.
"My name is Rahila Khan and warm greetings from sunny Durban, South Africa, where the fun and sun never stops. My forefathers were brought from India to work as indentured laborers in the sugarcane fields in Durban in the province viz. Kwa-Zulu Natal. I am one of four siblings. Early in my childhood I knew that I was different and somehow did not fit into being ordinary as was the status quo of routine family life. It felt like being a circle in a square. Huge conditioning and learned behavior of Indian origin was the norm that you must acquire tertiary education, be a professional and be in a job to earn money to survive. This I did effortlessly.
The deeper inner conflict and confusion growing up in a home where my parents squabbled about most issues, compounded by apartheid and oppression left me feeling worthless and a victim of circumstances. Both my parents have passed on leaving behind fond, bitter-sweet, cherished memories and loads of unanswered questions. This became my mission: to uncover my childhood and generational patterns and pathologies. My personal life transformation, together with the freedom of 300 years of oppression, violence, human indignity, molded me into who I am in sharing with others who seek truth, innate wisdom, freedom and love.
"When the student is ready, the master appears"
I graduated at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, as an educator, and served the Department of Education for about 20 years. My soul awakened one morning; and I decided to bungee jump out of a very magical, romantic and yet very toxic 23 year old marriage or bondage and a very secure teaching job. I recognized, I was swallowed up in giving myself totally to others and a job; which manifested in acute depression, chronic fatigue and burn-out. I did not know who I was or becoming at that point in life. I booked myself into hospital and took time out to gather myself. The clinical psychologist was gob-smacked at my great self-awareness of having a nervous breakdown, seeking help and much needed time out.
That was the end of a very long, arduous chapter and the beginning of a brand new life seeking freedom and experiencing universal LOVE."
2. We connected a few months back (maybe an year, even) but only a few weeks ago did we have the chance to interact in a call. But I never thought I would be the subject of it. If you please, tell us what did you feel while talking to me? What drove that healing power of yours towards my soul?
"You are a single mum raising two beautiful children on your own. I could relate to your challenges with huge empathy and compassion, as I had been there too. As you shared your story, I could sense some deep seated emotional issues arising from your childhood very similar to mine. I also was the bridge over troubled waters between my parents who argued and fought about silly and major issues.
I know as a practitioner that merely talking to someone about their issues and stories is just that: venting, venting and more venting! We tend to cycle our emotions and, without realizing it, we get stuck in our story and the repetitive pattern continues. With you, Andrada, I knew that there was a readiness to venture beyond and tap deeper. It was as if your soul was beckoning to let go of something. Your gentle willingness and openness allowed for everything to cascade at that perfect moment. It was as though the whole Universe conspired to allow your deepest intention or prayer that you might have put over the years to manifest. When the student is ready, the master appears. As a student I remain humble in learning from you and others."
3. Intense emotions did I experience while talking to you, as I got to meet the child in me and start a truce... Tell me please, what’s the story behind your eagerness in helping the others? How did you come to this activity?
"After my resignation from the teaching fraternity (much to the dismay of my family, friends and society) I ventured into business and bought an Earn ‘n Learn, Reach ‘n Teach Franchise. At the same time, I completed some needed business training with a private business school. Workshops were facilitated in entrepreneurship, self- empowerment and lateral thinking skills to teenagers and adults. I was teaching in a more inspired and creative way. The inner transformational work, which was the cornerstone of this programme, set the benchmark for a path unbeknown to me for what was yet to come. Through my business associate, I met some very successful and influential businessmen and entrepreneurs.
The franchise did not do well and my financial situation took a complete nose-dive. I thoroughly enjoyed the business aspects. I acknowledged very early that the many valuable experiences and lessons gained were priceless as compared to monetary gain.
I had to juggle business, be the sole provider, care giver, counselor and many added roles of being a single mother with a pre-teen boy. All of this came with its fair share of dramas, challenges, pitfalls and celebrations."
"I decided to begin this advocacy of love,
by teaching ourselves how to love (...)
This is my mission and vision"
I went back to teaching in order to stabilize my financial situation. This time, it was at a private Islamic School in a very indigent community. I had to get my son through high school and university. At the same time, my curiosity to explore inner transformational was at its peak. The principal was amazed at how I had transformed my grade 4 learners to a place of emotional well-being and calm. The principal had informed me prior to signing a contract that this was a class of learners no other educator was willing to teach. A few left within weeks of taking the position. I took the challenge! I implemented art therapy, breathing techniques, brain gymnastics and emotional release process work, with the permission of the principal and parents. Half the class of learners were raised by foster parents and/or guardians as they were orphans, a couple adopted or abandoned children. Of course, they were extremely troubled, anti-social and discipline was completely out of control. The principal gave me a platform to render workshops to the staff and work with the parents/guardians as well. She then paved the way for me to render counseling and therapeutic interventions for the learners who had learning and emotional challenges, a few hours per week. Soon, I was out of the classroom and initiated a women’s empowerment group, supported by the school and the community.
My own set of challenges ignited the spark to get real and face my demons and life situations head-on. Living the heartache and pain through the eyes of my child, seeking professional, emotional, psychological and spiritual support set us both on the path to self- discovery and self-mastery.
Along my journey, I met some of the most incredible souls in the business, personal growth arena and some amazing spiritual masters, whose teachings and sharing allowed my son and myself to blossom. I began to awaken to these small miracles and understand how the law of attraction works. I slowly began connecting the dots of the power of intention, prayer, and synchronicity. I became aware of how my negative thoughts, emotions and behavior were impacting in my inner and outer being. My inner thirst and curiosity to learn was a huge magnet, drawing me more and more to some amazing masters of the past and those in the 21st century. Journeying within became my addiction.
Networking within a diverse population over the years equipped me to spearhead a community upliftment project, with an Islamic non-profit organization. My task was to develop, empower and train very indigent families to a place of self-sufficiency, self-reliance within a holistic model of entrepreneurship, skills training, therapeutic interventions, welfare needs and education. This afforded me the opportunity to use all my skills in ways I had never imagined. It had evolved into a 16-year old community project.
A deeper prayer to serve SELF and humanity was answered as I was pulled yet again by some magnetic force into emotional mastery training like never before. The Journey Practitioner’s Programme took birth in South Africa for the first time. Training with Brandon Bays in the year 2004/05 catapulted my life to another level altogether. I set up my private practice and was also given the opportunity to serve as a volunteer ambassador for my city, Durban with Journey Outreach South Africa/International. I had the honorable task of managing the Journey Outreach projects (2006-2014 - See below), in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal (my province). This gave me the privilege to becoming more adept as a practitioner. In 2014, I went on to attend the Enneagram Masterclass Programme with Kevin Billet (CEO, The Journey International) in USA.
The most amazing gift was sharing some case-studies with Brandon Bays and Kevin Billet, in the closed practitioners' group meetings and/ or over lunch during the on-going residential retreats held in South Africa, over a span of 5-6 years. The other incredible gift was the soul relationships forged with the Journey Community world-wide. The most valuable lessons learned through outreach work in diverse nation had been humility, patience, non-judgement, tolerance and perseverance.
The Journey Therapy has been endorsed by Dr Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins and John Gray.
As the Journey Outreach projects faded away for a bit (took a well- deserved break), I accepted a position of a director at a private college in Further Education and Training. The opportunity arose to create and facilitate Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence Programmes, for internal (staff/student training and development) and external purposes (business). Human resource development and student support services were also my portfolio. I then trained in Human Values and Professional Ethics in India.
The nature of my work had spilled over significantly into small businesses and in other ways. The skills gained enhanced my scope in my private practice/academy, as a practitioner, intuitive coach/facilitator in offering one-on-one sessions and/or group sessions."
4. As you are so peaceful and calm, a personal curiosity challenges me to ask: do you ever get angry? If yes, how does being angry make you feel, considering your occupation?
"I had been a very angry child, teenager and adult.
The Journey Practitioner’s Programme including others taught me, over the last 20 years, how to master my emotions. It allows me to access my raw emotions of pain, hurt, sadness, fear, etc. going through the layers and releasing them. This has a bio-chemical effect in the body.
A realization that came over a period of time was that I was thinking my emotions and not actually feeling them. As I began observing my body and what happened when there was a trigger - that an emotion is a chemical energy charge, that fuels negative behavior. I also experienced how anger is triggered by stored deep seated pain. When we release the deeply embedded emotions (e.g. pain or hurt), this automatically diffuses the anger or rage. In facilitating others, I began observing more closely how emotions impact negative behavior. It is taking SELF responsibility. With practice, I am able to very quickly access my emotions, feel and release them in the moment of a challenging and stressful situation. Yoga and meditation keeps me centered and calm.
Self-mastery can be painful, challenging and requires huge introspection, self-reflection and self-validation. I am very blessed to have in my midst a couple of extremely supportive fellow practitioners, who coach and facilitate me on a weekly basis. Spending time in nature and being with family and friends maintains a good balance."
5. I know you are a true believer in the law of attraction. What’s the secret behind your strong belief?
"When I left teaching and was searching for therapeutic interventions, I would borrow seven books or more on Self-Empowerment from the library and read like a woman gone crazy. All the right books would jump out of the shelves and I was "possessed" by authors sharing their experiences, knowledge and wisdom. At first, it was all the information that I needed to educate myself. Dr Deepak Chopra’s books were a huge attraction and touched my core. There were instances when I began really experiencing certain occurrences which I read about. Dr Wayne Dyer, Dr Bruce Lipton (The Biology of Beliefs), Esther and Graham Hicks, Louise Hay, Dr John F. DeMartini and others really inspired me to practice science and spirituality at its best. The Universal Laws appealed to me even more when I got trained in the Human Values and Professional Ethics programme in India. I learned how important it is to be totally present and engage with my five senses; how the body has the infinite wisdom to self-regulate. When we engage and hone in on our 5 senses, we begin to master the mind.
Dr Deepak Chopra (was in South Africa in 2015, talking to huge audiences about Wealth in Wellness). He took us through a guided meditation on how to align our thoughts, feelings, state of being and behavior. I still practice this meditation in aligning the inner energy to the outer energy of the Universe and/or God. I believe that if I invest in myself through reading, attending workshops, talks, and seminars then I must implement it religiously. What is the point otherwise? The inner and outer worlds must be in unison to attract whatever you want. This takes consistent practice and I had to also release some old limiting belief systems that obscured this process of manifestations."
6. On the other hand, is there any way you can correlate the law of attraction with diversity? What’s your view on the topic? How would you define diversity?
"I believe in UNITY in diversity. I work across the nationality, racial, cultural, religious, gender divide both nationally and globally. I studied Science of Religion at University, so I learned in my youth about religious and cultural tolerance. South Africa has a massive diversity, since our democracy in 1990. We are learning, on a daily basis, how to respect and honor different races, cultures and their beliefs. I would like to honor and continue the legacy of our global icon, Nelson Mandela who said: 'Never again must anyone ever be oppressed, suffer human indignity and be disrespected by another.'
After the release of Nelson Mandela and the inception of democracy in South Africa, we are known as the rainbow nation. As with everything in life, this is work in progress. Every human must be able to exercise their rights and be given the same opportunity to grow and come into their own power.
Children of the 21st Century do not see color and differentiation as adults do. They must be free from indoctrination of the past."
7. Since you work with people from all over the globe, how did this concept [diversity] influence your activity?
"I quite like this question, as it leads on from your previous question about the law of attraction.
Most of my clients come via word-of mouth referrals. I am still clueless and do not know the person at all. So for me it is a soul connection as the law of attraction would have it. It does not matter who you are, where you live or your origins; it is about who is seeking assistance in empowering themselves like myself. They will be seekers and lovers of truth and self- mastery. Those that are drawn to my energy will show up.
What I have come to know is that humans have the capacity to love. Love transmutes all negativity. Where there is love, there is creativity. Love is the greatest human need. This is why I am so passionate in being an advocate for leadership of love beginning with SELF, family, business, education and health. Illnesses, diseases, all forms of abuse, gender violence, human trafficking, natural disasters and all social ills do not discriminate. When there is human suffering during a natural disaster, all diversity disappears, only humans show up to help and support humans. In traumatic situations empathy, compassion and unconditional love heals. There is no room for differentiation of any kind. Acts of random kindness reign supreme.
Our innate potential in BE-ING HUMAN begins to shine because the focus shifts to serve and lead others. What greater service can there be than to serve with LOVE? Love becomes unconditional. Unconditional love and compassion becomes the highest level of spirituality going beyond religious practices and beliefs.
"All religions form the basis of morals, values and ethics,
yet we still practice discrimination and separation"
The fear of separation from divine father and mother, our fear of abandonment and our inability to trust God and life are some of our fears. Sadly, the fear of other humans who are different to us is our biggest fear. Slowly, some shifts are taking place now, as we awaken to being the best version of be-ing human. We can achieve unity in diversity.
Nelson Mandela: 'People were taught how to hate others; nobody taught us how to love.'
So, I decided to begin this advocacy of love by teaching ourselves how to love; then our children, family and all of humanity. This is my mission and vision for a loving, caring and nurturing planet in healing the life with love."
8. I know that at as a coach discretion is something undebatable. However, can you disclose the hardest case you handled?
"The one case that really ravaged me was an inmate at Correctional Services. He had killed his mother and served 8 years of imprisonment. The Head social worker had referred him to me and she stated that the clinical psychologist, the psychiatrist and spiritual care worker could not make a breakthrough with him. He had blocked out the incident and had no memory of the crime.
In the elicitation in his first session, he spoke about his childhood. His father was an alcoholic and his parents had separated. His mother came from a disadvantaged community and his mother’s family sorted out their issues with guns and knives, in a very violent manner. His mother would always be screaming and shouting at him as a child and at times would threaten him with the gun or knife. She never showed love and affection. He felt much rejection! His mother also had many male friends. He shared how one of her male friends chased him (was 9 years old then) down the road at gun point. He managed to escape. He called his father for some support and was told not to bother him, as he was lying. So the child growing up had no proper care or supervision. All he wanted was love and a hug from his mother! He could not understand his parents and maternal family’s toxic nature and behavior as a child. His mother’s taunting continued and she had interfered in his adult relationships as well. For some reason, he believed that she hated him and favored his siblings over him.
A week before his sister’s wedding, he visited his mother and siblings. He wanted to support his sister in some way. His sister had left the house with her fiancé and he sat chatting with his mother. She suddenly became angry with him and he questioned her behavior again. She became very aggressive and pulled out a knife. In self-defense, he pulled the knife out of her hand and spiraled out of control; had stabbed her. She fell to the floor and he looked over her slumped body in disbelief. By then his brother who was in the bathroom, heard the commotion appeared and saw what had happened. The offender being in a state of shock, fled the scene only to be arrested based on the evidence and report given by his brother.
In his therapy session, the inmate was taken to the moment of that tragic incident. The therapy allows the younger you to show up. The 25 year old showed up and he relived the entire scene and began sobbing. He said to his mother: "You don’t deserve a son like me. I’m unworthy of love; that is all I ever wanted from you... I just wanted you to hug me." He expressed all the times she had been violent with him and not his siblings. He spoke about the pain and rejection he felt in his early childhood. He began sharing and emptying out his loneliness as a child and his fear of her. The gut-wrenching sobbing continued and he became inconsolable.
As a practitioner I had to allow for the emotional release the way it unfolded, as it was his healing process. As a mother, I felt his pain and yearning for love and the inner child in me broke down and cried with him. His release was so powerful, bitter, excruciatingly painful and yet so profound. My inner child empathized and opened into compassion for that little boy who was so helpless, so confused and lost. As I held the loving embrace for his healing, I knew then the power and magnificence of the teachings of The Journey therapies. When we heal first and forgive, we give permission for others to do the same. I realized then this gift of empathy and compassion. I also had waves of gratitude for having the necessary tools in my box in taking him ever so gently into his past, which resulted in his freedom as God wanted it to be.
The social worker could not believe that it the same person after his first session. His entire physiology changed, his face was alight, much softer and he smiled. He could not believe that he had cleared so much inner clutter in such a short space of time. Only he kept himself imprisoned by not knowing that the deepest love lays within; a truth he discovered after his third session. The Restorative Justice Programme followed the next week for the offender and the victim’s family (his maternal family). In order for him to have been released, they would have had to enter into dialogue with his mother’s family (forgiveness was of paramount importance for both parties) and relevant stakeholders from the Department of Correctional Services and others who served on the parole board.
He was released and got a job. He was married, with a child. In the telephonic follow-up session, he sounded so grateful and happy!
This is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to me: “I am writing this letter to thank you for the inspiration you have given me. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude to you and the Journey Outreach Rehabilitation Programme for Offenders. My thinking capacity now has no boundaries. It is so much easier to understand others and how they feel. I can finally forgive myself and come to terms and understand the turmoil of my actions have caused. Instead of all the guilt I have been experiencing, I can now focus on how I can heal the hurt I’ve caused. I would like to help others the way you have helped me. Thank you, Rahila Khan.”
The Journey Outreach Rehabilitation Programme was a prototype developed by The Journey Outreach Team and the Department of Care and Development at the Department of Correctional Services in Westville, Durban, South Africa."
9. Let’s move on to the ISHQ Leadership academy you’re the founder of. What does ISHQ acronym mean? And how is Rahila, the business woman? (I have to ask, since I only saw that healing halo shining through)
" 'ISHQ' is a Persian word which means love. In working with people from all diversities, I discovered through my private practice, business and community outreach work - over a span of 20 years - that humans are all seeking love. It is the key missing ingredient in being human and we have forgotten about the power of love. I discovered that LOVE is the greatest human need. Like a newly-wed couple, when there’s so much love, affection and passion, we can overcome anything is life. The more people were discovering the love within, the more their potential began to shine. This is the magic potion.
So, I re-invented my business into a vocation with a greater mission and vision of Transformational Leadership of LOVE in the 21st Century. It is an academy that advocates LOVE, in serving to lead. It begins with SELF first. When we transform and change, we become CEO of SELF first; then we can undoubtedly serve to lead others. In working extensively with women and children, men also followed. The men began taking an interest in self- empowerment, as they noticed the positive changes in their wives and children. The self-healing was an added bonus to the transformation of leadership in their businesses. They then began engaging my services to assist their Human Resource training and development programmes. My experience in business, education and the various modalities of self-empowerment/ therapeutic interventions together with the Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence and Human Valves and Professional Ethics Programmes have set the benchmark for small businesses, education (children, parents, educators), and medical practitioners in how we evolve as humans. In adopting a halo model, rather than the old organogram of stepped-up hierarchy, there tended to more fluidity, resilience, freedom and creativity within the organization. Everyone feels worthy of contributing in consultation, collaboration and creativity. Most of all, a softer approach of caring, loving and nurturing creates peace, harmony and happiness. Humans thrive on this formula! Greater self-awareness and self-responsibility emerges and maintains. The step-up in leadership and productivity is phenomenal!
Community Outreach Programmes form a very essential part of creating a healthy humanity. A community begins in a mother’s womb, hence healing the life with love. Empowering children and youth and teaching them how to love and heal past generational patterns and pathologies is critical, for leaving the planet better than we found it."
10. Also, there is something interesting on your profile, in regards to question #9. It says “all age groups”. Please elaborate. Another curiosity: what exactly does “re-engineering the DNA for New Humanity” mean?
"It is only through my own life experiences, that I have gained many valuable lessons and insights from having the divine privilege of working with unborn babies to very senior adult clients from all walks of life, over 20 years, in facilitating, inner transformational process work (re-engineering). The results have been astounding and life changing, for most children and adults.
Most of what we experience in the present day is, indeed, linked to painful past experiences and memories deeply embedded in our subconscious mind and carry overs from past generational patterns and pathologies.
Male and female violence is a common denominator, which is inherent in each of us, as we became more separated from our mothers, fathers and human beings over the centuries. South Africa and Africa are perceived as very violent and a haven for crime, given our long history of colonialism, oppression and violent wars for power and materialism which is still on-going. This is also a global phenomenon. Working with people world-wide - within the diverse nationalities, cultures and social heritage - it was interesting to observe how the male/female dominance and subservience, patriarchal and matriarchal conditioning and learnt behavior passed on from generation to generation without questioning. Racial, class and caste systems were so dominant then; and are very much prevalent in many societies today.
The other phenomenon that goes back many centuries is the reverence of the male child solely for the purpose of being a warrior, protector and heir to the throne; and of course, to continue the generational lineage of tradition. Women had little or no rights and they were hugely abused sexually, physically, verbally, emotionally and financially. They had no voice, as the laws did not support them adequately. Much of what the world is experiencing today are carry- overs from the past. Most of the problems that we are challenged with globally are issues that are very deeply embedded in our subconscious mind, which we are not aware of; a silent inner programming which is on 'auto-pilot'. It is also evident that the Intellect on its own may not resolve these problems.
Consequently, allow me to explain, "Re-engineering the DNA for New Humanity" based on the above.
WHAT IS THE DNA, in a nutshell?
Every human being comes from the male and female seed. This gives rise to a combination of biological material known as the DNA. The DNA is similar to a computer hard-drive waiting to be re-programmed.
Scientific research proves that the human energy field directly informs our DNA and is directly responsible for the genes coded, our health, any illness or disease which may appear in our body; even our intelligence, memory and ability to heal is directly affected based on our beliefs.
Other scientific research conducted affirms that when we change our thoughts and beliefs about certain personal and social issues, these are healed and a new collective consciousness permeates.
The various case-studies in my private practice and the outreach work bears testimony to the fact that many children and adults also had quantum shifts when past painful experiences, memories and generational patterns and pathologies and old programming were released.
Since I started using the Journey in my private practice in 2005, this treatment method had completely transformed the way in which I work with all children and adult clients, and is now the predominant tool I use.
Non-directive approach and cognitive-based counseling methods I used in the past often failed to identify, access or clear out the root-cause of the problem. Often times, I was faced with troubled children (ages three to twelve) whose emotional issues had resulted in a general shut-down in their ability and/or willingness to speak about their trauma. Therefore, months of lengthy non-directive and creative approaches were needed before any significant changes could be noticed.
With the Journey, however, I am delighted to have found the most effective and empowering tool available. I can now offer a child Journey process (lasting less than 20 minutes), and am assured of a direct improvement in their emotional status with each process! The session for adults may take 2-3 hours, depending on the nature of the issue/block.
The effects have been truly astounding! The Journey process work was used with parents (mainly mothers) and children from a variety of cultures, children (and adults) from all backgrounds, no matter the age or issue; and they were effortlessly able to undergo a Journey process and clear out emotional and physical blocks. From those suffering with low self -esteem, parents’ divorce, repressed anger, behavioral issues/misconduct, Attention Deficit Disorder, addictions, depression, dread disease to those with more tragic cases of children who witnessed domestic violence, were molested, raped or orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, going through bereavement and all forms of abuse. I have been privileged enough to assist in and witness therapeutically life transforming processes - all as a result of The Journey. The work has since evolved in preparing couples for conception, pregnancy and - after birth - care with greater awareness of how thoughts, emotions and generational conditioning/learned behavior impacts the DNA.
The entire process is a directive, yet safe, non-threatening, releasing and thoroughly comprehensive guided visualization. Using the client’s own body wisdom (i.e. natural repair ability), each Journey process gets direct access to a repressed cell memory, where some form of emotional shut down had occurred. The associated emotional pain is emptied out via a dialogue procedure, bringing the client to a natural state of forgiveness. Resources (helpful qualities) which would have been useful at the time are internalized, so that a powerful change memory process is experienced. Once a client has released the stored pain, forgiven and been empowered via a change memory process, a state of inner wholeness and deep completion is experienced. This makes the Journey an ideal and highly effective therapeutic tool, which can be used independently or in conjunction with any other treatment program (e.g. medical, psychological, social or spiritual intervention)."
11. Living in Africa and being a people helper, as well as considering the question above, I’m sure you must be involved in volunteering projects. Can you disclose what those are? And how do you still get the time for such activities?
"As I mentioned earlier, the community project with a non-profit organization viz. Orient Old Boys Charity is still on-going in the Blackburn/Waterloo areas, north of Durban. It began in earnest in 2004 and since its inception has grown in leaps and bounds in the last 16 years (every Wednesday). The mission statement propagates self-mastery, hence individuals shifting from victim-mentality to victor mentality using a holistic model in a new paradigm of self-discovery, empowerment and - most importantly - spiritual awareness. The case-load is of about 35 very indigent families, whose children were bussed, to a private Islamic school which was utilized as environment, on a weekly basis.
Initially the emphasis was on welfare (the basic needs of food, clothes and shelter), as well as focusing on life and entrepreneurial skills. Employment, self-empowerment and on-going counseling and alternate therapy focusing on deep-seated emotional issues followed. The positive impact in shifting the mind to better understanding of self and the environment within an Islamic framework boded well in eradicating all forms of abuse, especially substance abuse. Even though the children and women only engaged readily in these empowerment sessions of healing and counseling, this consciousness pervaded the home to such a degree that it eventually allowed the men folk to become pro-active to some degree.
Healthier family life with the implementation of sound Islamic principles became the order of day and paved the way for effective communication not only among family members, but within the school environment as well. Home visits are still crucial in ascertaining more data in regards to the needs of the community and confirming follow through by the clients. To date, housing needs are top priority and much time is now devoted to this.
Dignity and respect were, at last, restored to a community which was otherwise judged and ostracized for not knowing any better. Self-awareness programmes, excursions and skills training and development of individuals - especially the women - and on-going networking with other organizations had proven very beneficial. I learned, together with another volunteer, to grow as community development worker very effortlessly. Although many challenges presented along the way, the experience gained from working so closely with similar organizations was priceless.
The main focus was on academic education, tertiary education, FET (Further Education and Training), including skills development and training. Career and vocational guidance and counseling have taken precedence over other aspects with high school learners. The mothers of these learners attended these sessions regularly, together with their children. Continuous support and follow-ups were conducted. It was gratifying to see that parents and children were spending more time engaged constructively.
The value of coaching and mentoring is priceless when helping others. This is on-going. Our learners emerged as graduates and now employees in various jobs; and others are in very small business ventures. Their lives have changed forever and they are doing the same for others.
The Journey Outreach Programme provided the platform to assist thousands of individuals to come to a sense of peace and healing in their lives, free of the experiences and negative emotions of the past. The gratitude expressed within the communities for The Journey Outreach Programmes have truly been awe-inspiring. Most adults who experienced Journey work recognized the benefits that healing, forgiveness and peace would bring to their communities.
"I discovered that LOVE is the greatest human need (...)
'ISHQ' is a Persian word, which means love "
The Journey Outreach Programme is proving to be an effective way of understanding what drives individuals to anti-social behavior and crime. Hence, Journey Outreach and The Transnet Foundation’s Phelophepa Health Train created a partnership with Psychological Services, in reaching thousands of people. They undertook a “Healing Journey” over a span of 8 years, reaching out to communities in over 40 stations/areas per year throughout rural South Africa. What transpired was staggering! Meaning that, when emotional blocks in both adults and children were cleared, they in turn became more functional, free and the children began performing better in school and at home. A wide range of issues had been experienced by participants such as rape, murder, abandonment, loneliness and pre-dominantly death of parent/s and HIV/AIDS.
I served as a Volunteer practitioner on The Transnet Foundation Phelophepa Medical Train Project in partnership with Psychological Services for the rural areas in South Africa (2008-2010).
Some of the other Journey Outreach Projects undertaken were:
Ø Rehabilitation Programme for Offenders at Westville, Durban - Correctional Services
Ø Minds Alive Engineering Centre (Drug Rehabilitation): Westville - Durban
Ø Anti-Drug Forum: Chatsworth, Durban
Ø Phoenix Crisis Centre, Durban
The outreach work continues wherever it is needed. I’m often a guest presenter/speaker at various seminars/workshops and on a community radio station. A feature documentary film showcasing my community outreach work was done in the year 2009, for the programme Anur, SABC 2."
12. If someone asked you for urgent assistance, how would you deal with it, considering your very busy schedule?
"Appointments are scheduled on a daily basis, outreach projects are scheduled on a weekly basis. Talks for events and seminars are booked in advance. I’m very flexible and adaptable in managing my own time.
I’m able to fit a client when there is an emergency. I am able to reschedule my clients, as I brief them in advance about the nature of my work. Provisions are also made for booking clients who travel from far and wide and those who are only available in the weekends. My vocation is my vacation and I’m sometimes called out to work with clients whilst they are on holiday at a resort or elsewhere. Other times, I do house and hospital calls. Then there are Skype and video call sessions at odd hours (very early in the morning or late at night) depending where in the world the client is. I mostly surrender and allow Grace to work its magic, as I do not know what is in store each day. It is a love affair with the unknown and I learn to trust the process of life to deliver what is needed."
13. As per the last 2 questions, I would like to know what is your daily routine. Especially the morning one. Is this what keeps your warm attitude going?
"I begin most days with intention, prayer, yoga, and meditation as this set the tone for the day. This also keeps me centered, focused and grounded. An attitude of gratitude and counting my blessings is something I am only beginning to truly experience. I know that I have been given a second chance in this life, after surviving a very horrific car crash. My injuries were minimal! I experienced through this process of healing the benefits of allopathic and alternate medicine. I learned to pay attention to emotional and physical pain and be thankful for life, for every breath...
"It is a love affair with the unknown"
To be able to walk, sit and sleep and all the bodily functions we take for granted is the main event in my everyday living. Self-talk, positive thoughts, emotions and beliefs rock my world now. When we awaken to SELF, we come to know the power of positive thoughts, emotions and behavior and the ripple effects it has on the planet. It is a way of life."
14. As a final word, please tell us the greatest lesson you learned so far throughout your journey in this life. And what would be the message you want to send out to the world?
"Love is the Greatest Human Need, hence my passion in service to lead in promoting, transforming Leadership of Love in Business, Education and Health. Self-mastery in authentic leadership is very much needed in service to humanity.
The highest mountain to climb is when we must pluck the courage and strength to accept and embrace our shadow side (our imperfections that are so deeply embedded in our subconscious mind, from our past painful experiences and memories); and to love and embrace our DIVINE PERFECTION. Every person in our life is there for us to experience and learn the many life lessons. Some of them will be the trigger in bringing forth the shadow side in us, reminding us that it is our responsibility to blast out the past, until we are completely free of that programming that no longer serves us. To know and experience the sum parts as THE WHOLE, that we belong, and we trust implicitly that our every need is provided for, without question by the DIVINE interconnectivity and divine consciousness which also exists in the spiritual and material world. To have belief, trust and faith that all creation and creativity begins within us as THE LIFE GIVING FORCE; we are creators, THE GIVER; that our innate wisdom and wealth of every kind is already programmed in us; that when our creative genius is clear from all negative thoughts, emotions, beliefs and past memories, it will project all that we want to manifest in the outer world.
When our consciousness changes, our situation changes. This is the greatest blessing ever - when we experience and witness the union of the inner and outer worlds.
We must choose at a deeper level, with positive intention and faith, which vision of life we are following. The spiritual view leads to spiritual solutions and promote unity consciousness. In this state of BEING; pure awareness infuses every thought, feeling and action. The inner and outer worlds will reflect each other, without confusion and conflict. The solutions arise from a DIVINE source, INSPIRATION and CREATIVITY within each of us, with divine perfection and TIMING.
This is the secret to the art of manifestation of all our dreams and aspirations…"
***
I could have gone on and on with my questions, yet I know how valuable time is, for everyone. I am grateful to have come across such a marvelous being, such as my guest today, and I pray that God keeps her healthy and active for many more years to come, as she will clearly make an impact over humanity!
*The photos used in this article were provided by the rightful owner, with clear consent. Using them without prior agreement, may become subject of the copyright law. All rights reserved to Rahila Khan*
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