PATHWAY TO JOY AND HEALING

My childhood experience of instability and fear prevented me from truly connecting with my ethnic roots and cultural identity.  Since healing some of my emotional wounds, I am no longer just struggling with coping with the day-to-day trauma triggered in my life.

Recently, I have collaborated with my local community to help other Asians and Asian Americans seek mental health care without the fear of repercussions from their families. Most Asian cultures discourage disclosing personal and family issues to outsiders, such as a therapist or counselor.

After many years of counseling, I disclose it to my family, but it was met with criticism and they used my seeking counseling against me claiming it my mental issues that caused my family’s problems.  These are not uncommon responses. As a result, Asian children and women face violence, and abuse without treatment resulting in the high incidences of suicide and repeating these offenses on the next generation.

During my visit to Pittsburgh recently for a glassblowing class, I came upon a Taiwanese restaurant on the first evening of my visit.  I was born in Taiwan of Chinese decent, but grew up in the United States since I was eight years old.  This restaurant was full of Chinese students from University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Melon University that brings back memories from my past, and my meal of steamed dumplings and curry chicken reminded me of my childhood that I had nearly forgotten.

Returning to my ethnic roots is helping me become the whole person that I seek on my spiritual path. I feel that my life is coming full circle to help me remember the joys, and not just the fear and trauma that I lived with as a child.  May you find your roots in your life, Brooke (Copyright 2014 Kundlaini Spirit with All Rights Reserved)