Matthew Richards, MA - Energy-Work and Counseling services

Hello, my name is Matthew Richards and I am offering Energy-Work and Counseling services at Alchemy & Elixir Health Group.

A few words about myself:

I’ve been interested in healing and counseling techniques for as long as I can remember. This interest led me to complete a Masters in Philosophy from University of Ottawa [1997] with a particular thematic emphasis on communication, expression, ethics and issues around human embodiment. What resonated with me then, as now, were philosophies or “world-views” that stressed Affirmation and that had pragmatic and therapeutic applications. A spiritual awakening led me to begin my formal studies and practice in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in 1995. In this religion I had finally found the system of healing and efficacious care for others I had been seeking my entire life. Since 1999, I have been formally teaching Buddhist meditation, thought and practice at temples in Canada and in the U.S. I currently help manage the Zuru Ling Tibetan Buddhist Temple here in Vancouver, having acted as its President for a number of years and currently sit on the Directing Board of Gaden Relief, a charity that provides aid to communities in India, Mongolia and Tibet. A pilgrimage in Outer Mongolia in 2003 introduced me to the indigenous traditions of Mongol-Siberian Shamanism. Their spirituality has both served to inspire and guide my personal practice ever since. In particular, they introduced me to the healing energy-work and “psycho-pomp” counseling to which I have been subsequently devoting myself and with which I have effectively used in the hospice and palliative care that is now a current focus of my life.

Gathered together, the many healing and counseling modalities, from both Western and Eastern sources, I use, form a constellation of practices I call “Hiimori Elemental Energy-Work”. “Hiimori” is a Mongolian term, meaning “Wind-horse” – an idea known as “Lung-Ta” in Tibetan. People may be familiar with the symbolic representation of this concept in the image of the flying horse seen on Tibetan Prayer Flags that are hung in valleys and on mountain passes throughout the Himalayan region. “Windhorse” is the vital energy that runs through our nervous system, uniting our mind and body. It is also known as “Qi” in Chinese culture, “Prana” in Sanskrit and “Lung” (or “wind”) in Tibetan. The image of “windhorse” is used to show that our thoughts and motivations are mounted on these subtle energies like a horse and rider. Where these energies go, so do our minds and conversely, if we generate certain kinds of thoughts we can direct these same energies in our bodies. The consequences of this idea are both revolutionary and empowering. We can take responsibility for the health of our body, mind and most of all our spirit. We can cultivate lives of creativity, love and joy and overcome forces of sickness, pollution, reaction and negativity.

“Windhorse” expresses itself as “5 Elements” or energetic principles. Earth, Metal, Water, Wood [Wind] and Fire, these Elements both make up our psycho-physical bodies and animate our world. In our own nervous systems, on a physical level, to each Element correspond two organ functions. But many other psychological, emotional, psychic and spiritual dimensions of our personality manifest out of and circulate around them. Elements fall in and out of balance and harmony throughout our lives depending upon the experiences and situations in which we find ourselves and to which we are exposed. Imbalance brings suffering, reactivity, negativity and loss of our vital power. Balance and harmony brings health, power, compassion, creativity, generosity of spirit and above all - an open heart. In Tibetan Buddhism we say that once these 5 Elements are “purified” and positively “enhanced”, they transform themselves into the 5 Enlightened Wisdom-Energies associated with the 5 Transcendent Buddhas or Goddesses that are Beings that manifest out of and as pure Love. Elemental work is thus a path of profound spiritual metamorphosis.

“Hiimori” or “Elemental Healing”, I do, whether it be by quiet, meditation and energy-work or discursive counseling, aims to realign, balance and harmonize these subtle energies to bring health and wellbeing. Most of all, through it, I aspire to educate and empower my clients to be able to later do this work for themselves and for others.

These are the services I offer:

* Tui Na – Chinese Acupressure Massage (Dr. Wu’s Head Massage [TM]) This kind of massage works to bring health and balance to all the body’s organ systems by working with the meridian system and energy-points, particularly on the head and face.

* Reiki – Reiki is channeled spiritual energy that is used for “hands-on-healing”. Reiki is effective for chronic problems and pain management. It is very gentle and serves to give and build emotional support as well.

* Chi Nei Tsang (CNT) -Qi Kung Chi Nei Tsang (Khadro Chi Nei Tsang Tradition) – Chi Nei Tsang is a special healing modality for me – and I am a life-long student of this tradition of Khadro CNT - combining both subtle energy-work and counseling-therapy in one technique. It is at once gentle, gradual, empowering and very powerful. CNT helps the client process and clear strong psychological, emotional, psychic and spiritual blocks and issues that are improperly stored, trapped, alienated and disassociated in the nervous system. By using a gentle touch on specific, targeted areas of the viscera, and harmonizing this with the breath of both practitioner and client, old, stagnant and “sick” energies that tie up and unbalance the body can be digested and released. This then frees up the nervous system, allows for the generation of more personal vitality and thus leads to the health of body and mind.

* Spiritual and Philosophical Counseling (on a sliding scale rate)

* Palliative, End of Life and Grief Counseling and Energy Work 

* Meditation and Qi Kung Exercise Instruction 

* Buddhist Energy Work - (offered privately and conditionally)

At Alchemy and Elixir, I am interested in building long-term participatory relationships of healing and spiritual transformation to my clients – one’s in which we both learn and help each other.

I offer a walk-in clinic that is by suggested donation and classes in Buddhist Meditation as well. Please inquire for details and additional information.

I speak and understand French.

For more information on all services, to book a clinic appointment and to speak with Matthew directly call 778-835-7133 or email: hiimori.windhorse@gmail.com