On Venkataraman’s Journey…

August 29

 

Time waits for no one but the saint

and so the train delayed until

Venkataraman came at midnight

to take his seat.

 

Leaving his home in Tirichuzci,

he traveled for three days

in the winnowing eaves of August.

A handful of rupees, heart full

of God, he followed the path

laid out for him.

 

Lit from within, nothing

could stop him, not hunger,

not fatigue, not fainting

on the ground, scattering

loose rice like wild seeds.

 

Not thirst, though no one

would offer him water.

 

He was freeing the last

of his old life

 

– pears that could no longer feed,

two ruby earrings, every last

lock of his hair –

 

so he could arrive

empty.

 

Chilled to extremities,

he walked on, miles

piling up behind him,

Arunachula now breathing

inside as he approached,

burning and hollowed.

 

The boy who would be sage

laid down before his father,

saying, “I have come,”

and the rains wept tears

of the gods for three days,

as they sang, “Welcome,

My Own Son, Welcome.”

 

0

Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

Send this to a friend