100% Thai

100% Thai

The most amazing connection with Patara Elephant Camp on April 26, 2013.  We met Ploy, she is around 14 years old, and a rescue from the circus.  She is shy, she does not interact with many of the other elephants, that is the life she knew before, her life was very lonely.  I started playing for Ploy and she was very receptive to to the bowls, she seemed to be enjoying the sounds right away, and you could see the reaction in her eyes. At first her pupils were quite small and as I played, you could see the physical change in them as she was soothed by the bowls and her pupils appeared larger. A sense of calm and relaxation as her eyes even rolled back in their sockets.  At first I was unsure what I sensed from the look in her eyes, unsure if it was fear, anger or confusion.  It was gratifying to see her physically relax, and embrace the therapy provided.

Ploy looked very different after 10 minutes of playing for her than when we first met her.  I felt a very special connection with her.  She ran her trunk over me, sniffing my shoes first.  Pat explained that they do that, sniff the shoes first, as it tells the story of who you are and where you have been. So fascinating!!  She kept wanting to be close to me, she was curious and obviously comfortable enough, and I felt that she was loving the attention and the soothing, calm sounds of the bowls.  For sure Ploy will benefit from continuing to release her anxiety, and begin to trust more with vibrational sound therapy.  I told her quietly over and over that she is a good girl, or "Di Di," in Thai words that she understands.  I encouraged her with a quiet voice to open her heart, that she now will begin to embrace the life she has. She listened attentively, she was visibly softer and  responding to love, and I know that she heard me.

Ploy and Mahout

Ploy Checking Us Out

Ploy Relaxed, and the Flame Trees In Bloom

The first bowl I chose for her was a Zen Tibetan Singing Bowl in a G note to inspire communication; Finding her voice is what I want to encourage.  Of course we played other bowls  Zen Tibetan Bowls in the notes of D, D# and A for her.  She appeared to be most responsive to the G note on this day. 

We then moved on to Pri, who is a twin, just 5 years old. Pri, whose name means Gemstone (I know, quite fabulous right?)  was born at Patara Elephant Farm. His twin brother Poo is the larger of the two, and since birth have had sibling rivalry.  Poo being stronger and larger, always got more milk, food, and bullied Pri.  They do have a special bond and Pat assured us that they love each other very much, and they have their own special language to communicate with each other.  We drove up the mountain to where Pri was that day, which is totally breathtaking scenery.  We observed him for a while. he was doing his "little dance" as Pat calls it.  What we saw, him swaying side to side, his trunk swinging, I thought that this had to take a lot of energy and it also must be a release for him because he is feeling depressed and frustrated; Pat explained it is a bit like mental illness. 

Set Up for Pri at Mahout Camp

Pri and an Emerald Bowl

We chose a Zen Tibetan Bowl in a D note for Sacral Chakra, and the Crystal Emerald Bowl in a C Note for Root Chakra.  Good call on the Root Chakra Nancy!  When you approach the elephants, they think you have treats for them and they get excited; Pat had explained to us earlier to never show any fear, you walk right up to them, keep eye contact, and always smile.  He explained the field of vision for us that clearly is directly in front of them, the sides not past the ear, basic peripheral vision. And so important, we say it twice - when you approach them, smile!  Do not display anything other than positive energy.  You can ask the elephant to raise it 's trunk with the Thai  word "Bon!"  Up goes the trunk, the mouth open, you feed them some food, and the six teeth look just like the teeth of a Wooly Mammoth.  Back to Pri!  He was so curious.  They fed him a big bunch of food to begin associating the sound of the bowls with feeding, which Pat felt is a positive reinforcement.  He seemed calm, perhaps the combination of food and soothing tones were just what he wanted at that time.  He was so cute and kept approaching to smell with his trunk; they want to put their trunks into the bowls, so funny.  He was relaxed and so this encounter felt successful. He left us to get hosed off, and so cute, holding the hose in his mouth, sprayed a good long drink for himself. And it was indeed happy hour. 

Nancy Teaching Some Moves

Earlier in the day we had taken time to show the mahouts (the elephant trainers) how to play the Zen Tibetan Bowls. Three different strikers to choose from, and they all play the bowls differently.  They paid attention and picked up the technique quickly.  One or two of the Mahouts have an amazing, natural sense with the bowls, playing gently, and with amazing focus already.  They are all excited to do it, as they witnessed some great progress with their elephants.  By the end of the day they were so excited just from seeing how happy Ploy was, and requested "let's do more!"  You will see in the photos that Pat did a nice job of explaining the bowls to them, as he is a natural, just so gentle and plays slowly and softly.  My Thai is still in the elementary stages, so I was happy to observe him teaching them. 

Pat Teaching the Mahouts

School Continues

The Mahout Camp on the Mountain

I feel very humbled and overwhelmed by the enormity of this amazing project (or experiment as Pat refers to it, which is so cute of him.)  I find myself having to release the emotions I feel frequently through deep sighs, tears or goosebumps that just keep coming, especially at the back of my neck at Zeal Point. I am overwhelmed and also very very calm.  I trust my intuition and the higher vibration of information coming to me for it has been abundant.  For those of you who truly know me, you will understand that of course I feel things very deeply.  The high vibration of this experience is allowing me to attune to the source, and be available to do the highest good and I am deeply honored to have this privilege. 

Meditation Spot

Feet