Thanks Treefern, as always your honesty inspires. As Universal Medicine has gone in to PR overdrive to try and 'normalize' the EBM, it's very good to hear a first hand report from one who has been there.
Very sad to read what you write about breast feeding. I have always been of the firm belief this is a wonderful bond between mother and child, something to be cherished, not viewed as a sapping of energy. While it is true the mother gives to the child through the process, that gift is a gift of love, vitality, nutrition, and any mother who takes care of herself will replenish what she has given to help a tender life get the best possible start.
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treefern
I would like to address the issue of the Esoteric Breast Massage and accreditation by Universal Medicine.
The EBM which is yet another brainchild of Serge Benhayon was conceived by him and the practice and perfection of the massage was used firstly on his young wife Miranda.
My own experience with the EBM's was when I had 2 very close friends diagnosed with breast cancer a very frightening experience for both of them. I was strongly encouraged to have an EBM by another UM practioner. Thinking that it couldn't hurt I made an appointment.
My first appointment was an hours talk on the very high rate of Breast Cancers in todays world, so far true. I can't remember all that was said after that mostly because I was so shocked at the thought process on breast cancer, but for $100 I was left feeling scared whitless. Something about negative energy held in the breasts from being "wolf whistled" as a teenager to the "energy flowing out required in breast feeding children" (yes sad but true, those exact words) every "male hand" and "negative male energy we have ever been around" has been stored in our breasts. There I sat feeling like the dark lords were indeed residing in my breasts. At no time did the EBM practioner SAY this massage would 'cure or prevent breast cancer', it was however VERY STRONGLY IMPLIED throughout the entire hour long session. I then made an appointment for the actual massage...which at the time on this particular day, I thought I was getting for my $100! Great sales pitch.
After the first appointment I couldn't wait to get to the 'real' appointment to get rid of the dark lords in my breasts. I personally found the massage quite awful, but I must say at this point, the practioner was very professional. During the session where all and only the TALK was of the "negative energy held in my breasts", I was to find that it would in fact take 8 to 10 sessions to have them actually cleared (that's $800 to $1000 my mind was reeling) with follow up treatments forever(to keep them clear) and I would also need to buy the "special cream, invented by Serge to help keep my breasts cleared", more money. I couldn't wait to finish the session by this time.
$100 later which by the way, was written down on the receipt as Professional Development, because there is no way you can claim these massages on anything but Tax, I left in fact I think I ran. Yuck, yuck yuck was my mantra all the way home.
Breast feeding my children was sometimes hard, sometimes exhausting but ALWAYS a joy and a delight. I look back and feel proud of myself and delighted with the fact that I was able to accomplish this, even after I was told I would never physically would be able to do it. (Medical reasons) The wolf whistles, well wouldn't mind one of them now to be honest and the negative energy from the men standing next to me in lifts....Plleeeeeaase!
Now I'm not an expert and somebody correct me here if I have this wrong, but real accreditation is quite a complicated process to get. I don't believe say for example that, I could come up with an idea, ($$$$$$$$) formulate it, train people, ($$$$$$$) and then accredit them MYSELF? Firstly you have to have the thing you are doing acknowledged by a body of professional people within that field, then a group of your peers tests your ability to practice professionally, I don't get to accredit the people who have paid me the money to 'train' them ($$$$$$) and then pass them to work for me, it just doesn't work that way I'm afraid!
It is the 'fear mongering' from UM that I find so frightening, misguided actions of once lovely people.