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wounds or to understand the cause of certain ailments or developments in our present lives. For you to be able to heal anyone else, Terry, it is first necessary to heal yourself. I am going to try to make you understand how the entire process works by making you the subject.
    Fine?'

    Terry had nodded his assent.

    'Okay, let's just start by getting you comfortable, physically comfortable. Settle back in your chair and begin to relax . . . that's right . . . just . . . relax.' The voice was soothing but firm.

    Terry actually began to let go and concentrate on Martha's voice. 'Look up now, and observe the skylight. You can see a little green dot on the skylight. A green dot is simply what it is. Its shape is round and its colour is green. The shape and colour are really quite irrelevant. All that I want you to do is to completely focus your concentration on that spot for a while as you continue to listen to my voice.' 31
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    Martha continued, 'A peaceful, easy feeling is settling over you like a comfortable quilt. Relax. Allow yourself to drift. As you focus on the dot, something will begin to happen. The dot may move. It may change shape. It may change colour. As you notice these transformations, you will also begin to feel changes within yourself. Your eyes are tired. They're fed up of focusing on the dot. Your eyes and your eyelids want to close.
    That's fine.'

    She continued in the same soothing voice, 'Now drift deeper with every breath you take. Feel your body getting heavier and sinking further. You're comfortable and relaxed, but you're heavy and sinking. Deeper. Deeper. Okay, now I want you to allow your mind to drift back in time . . . drift back to this morning . . . drift back to last night
    . . . drift back to university . . . to your high-school days . . . drift back to your infancy .
    . . drift back beyond your infancy . . . that's right.' Martha now began to probe with gentle questions.

    'Where are you now?'

    'I'm on a farm somewhere in northern India.'

    'Who are you?'

    'I'm a landlord. I own lots of land in the area.'

    'So you're a farmer?'

    'No. I only own the land. I rent it out to landless farmers who till the land and share the produce.'

    'Where do you live?'

    'I have a palatial house which is on the banks of a beautiful river. It has a very nice outdoor veranda where I sit and smoke a hookah.'

    'What is a hookah?'

    'It's a big copper pipe. My servants fill it with tobacco, saffron, cardamom, hot coals and water. I sit and smoke it all day long while gazing at the river.'

    'Do you have many servants?'

    'Yes. One's importance is determined by the number of servants one has and the head of cattle one owns.'

    'Are you married?'

    'Yes. My wife is very beautiful. We got married when we were children.'

    'So you fell in love with her?'

    'No. Our marriage was arranged by our families. I had to marry her because my father insisted. I was lucky that I eventually fell in love with her. I would do anything for her. I worship her . . . I am hopelessly devoted to her.'

    'Do you have children?'

    'Three. A daughter and two sons.'

    'Do you love them?'

    'Yes, but I had to give my daughter away in marriage when she was just thirteen.'

    'Why?'

    'Because child marriage is the norm. I love her and want her to be happy--but she's just a child! She misses me terribly.'
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    'What about your sons? Do you love them?'

    'Yes. But the eldest one isreckless. I get very angry with him. I sometimes have to beat him to knock some sense into his head.'

    'How does that make him feel?'

    'I think he resents me.'

    'How old are you?'

    'I am quite old. I do not know my exact age because no one noted the date or time when I was born. Unfortunately, I am quite ill.'

    'Why?'

    'The tobacco has given me a terrible cough. It never goes. And I am hopelessly addicted to the hookah. I cannot stop smoking.'

    'Do you think this could be the reason for your asthma and breathing disorders in your present life as