Hands to the Plow

Preface

When a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Texas hired me to augment their recovery processes with massage, yoga and meditation–holistic practices which have been scientifically and medically researched–I soon discovered that these practices certainly enriched and improved the patients’ lives. The experiences I gained also enabled me to evolve and transform in remarkable ways, too.
The rehab facility was often a place of chaos, confusion and frustration, but I quickly realized that those conflicts actually delivered me from a few of my own character defects which needed realigning or healing, such as hidden negative attitudes, incorrect beliefs, skepticism, and the misperceptions of my own ego, many of the same things addicts must overcome while addressing their addictive behaviors. As I began to understand and practice the twelve steps in my own ways, my natural abilities of healing and insight also improved and I stumbled into the middle of absolute love and joy, into the very heart of God as I understand “Him.”
Extraordinary things soon happened. As the patients began to acknowledge that there is something greater than ourselves that helps all of us, I began to see and feel how the universal life energy force that created us also enables us to see beyond the obvious so that we can use our talents and gifts in benevolent ways. This warm, life energy force radiated through my hands as I administered massages to ease the pain, anxiety and suffering of patients in recovery. I was glad I had partnered with this remarkable healing energy–my new “plow.”
Through yoga and meditation, the patients became aware of how the body affects the mind and vice versa. Yoga benefitted their overall health and meditation offered a viable means to mentally relax, enjoy the stillness of body and soul, and discover their Higher Self or their connection to the divine. They found answers within themselves to support their sobriety or to face their other challenges in life with grace and poise. And I felt more connected to them and to all humanity than ever before.
Hands to the Plow is the story of how I helped–or at least influenced–patients in recovery from drugs and alcohol. It is also the story of how those addicts and alcoholics (unknowingly) helped me to build and develop a spirit of grace and love toward everyone and to experience what every yogi or yogini desires: union.
To every patient mentioned in this narrative (whose names were changed to protect their identities) and to those remembered only in my heart and mind, I extend my deepest gratitude and respect. Your role as an alcoholic/ addict helped me advance in my own path. You paid a great price…just to help me. And now, here are our stories blended and woven together into a matrix of all-embracing love to help others who are searching for answers, meaning and purpose, or who want to deepen their compassion for all mankind. May it also be a beacon of light to other massage therapists who have similar gifts of healing but may not know where or how to direct their paths. I encourage all therapists, counselors, advocates–in fact, everyone!–to shine your divine light and energy into the dark caverns of those souls who struggle with addictions or other woes to help them find comfort and hope, and most importantly, healing and renewal.
I truly thank God for opening my eyes and my mind, by placing my hands to this plow, so that I could also open and share my heart to patients in recovery.

Shalom and Namasté,
C.L. Barrington, LMT, CYT