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Interview
Brands Just PrĂŞt goes international 36 I July 08 - 14, 2012
H
adi Anwar, CEO of Brands Just Prêt, talks to Lounge magazine about his big plans for the brand he is trying to shape up into Pakistan’s most versatile and visible multibrand store.
Q: We have heard that Brands Just Prêt’s first international store is on the cards: where will this be opening? A: We, at Brands Just Prêt, have always had ambitious expansion plans. We opened our Karachi store in late December last year, and immediately had an excellent response. Brands Just Prêt was the first multi-brand store to open its doors at the prestigious Dolmen Clifton Mall. Now only a few months after our launch in Karachi, we are looking to open up our first international store in Dubai.
Q: What is the main objective behind Brands Just Prêt? A: Our main objective is to cater to a wider audience which can appreciate the true talent Pakistan has to offer and not just focus on the Pakistani or Indian communities. To provide a platform next to other established international brands is perhaps the only way we can truly promote our aspiring designers instead of secluding them from the high street with only a handful of walkin customers.
Q: How important a role do you feel the location of a store plays in the success of a brand?
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the layout and design of the store?
A: We believe in opening new horizons for the multitude of new talent which is out there and hence our carefully chosen location, which caters to the UAE market, is unparalleled by other stores. If you look around, you will see that we are one of the youngest multi brand stores to venture out to international markets within six months of our launch.
A: The Brands Just Prêt Dubai store has been designed keeping in mind the possibility of holding concept events which are different from run of the mill exhibitions, and allows each designer to challenge themselves and come up with a themed collection for every season. The layout is such that every designer gets an equal amount of visibility for a walk-in.
Our main objective is to cater to a wider audience which can appreciate the true talent Pakistan has to offer and not just focus on the Pakistani or Indian communities July 08 - 14, 2012 I 37
Bringing together family, craftsmanship and fashion
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Interview
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Nayna, a wonderfull blend of all things Pakistani 38 I July 08 - 14, 2012
ayna is a privately owned company that designs, manufactures, and markets traditional Eastern fashion for the contemporary woman. Nayna’s Collection, showcasing Bridal Wear, Formal Wear, Shoes and other Accessories, has tapped into the wealth of rich Pakistani fabrics, and employed the skill of experienced Lahori craftsmen for the production of its hand embroidered and intricately detailed products. Saman Arif the primary fashion consultant is involved in the designing process from start to finish. She completed her degree in Fashion Design in 2000 from the Pakistan School of Fashion Design (PSFD), and since then has being working with some of the leading designers in the country. Q. For those who are unfamiliar with the brand Nayna, tell us about your work; what kind of designing are you into? What type of clothes do you enjoy designing for the most? A: We essentially manufacture ethnic clothes for the cultured woman. Our embellishments are based on the traditional usage of elements. Our forte lies in our bridals and formals, although now we are very excited to be part of the online retail business for prêt! Q. What part does your husband play in the business? Is it a good idea for a husband and wife to form a team? What are the pluses and what’s the downside of it? A: We have very well defined roles. Arif doesn’t know anything about fashion, and I don’t know anything about business, marketing, financials and legalities. We are very clear on the fact that we do not interfere in each others business, and this works out great because these are the essential elements
for a successful business, and one should focus on ones core competency. In fact, Arif’s designation has recently changed to Chief Disaster Officer due to his changing roles in having to micro-manage some parts of the business. I feel that this is where most of our Pakistani designers have faltered. You need to understand that you cannot be a jack of all trades, and that it is critical to focus on particular parts of the business, and be good at that. The downside, of course, is when we both get under intense pressure to perform, especially before shows. But we try our best to keep our office work in the office. Q. Tell us about your family; kids, in laws; how do you manage your time between work and family commitments? A: I have two children, both boys. We live as a joint family system and I feel that for a working woman, having grandparents at home is the best thing! These days, I fixed my schedule so that I only take a few appointments per day and then spend the rest of it with family. Oh, and we take vacations every year which is completely about the kids and my family. Q. What changes have you seen in the fashion field in the last ten years? Good ones and bad ones? A: The fashion industry has blossomed into a phenomenal industry. Not only have the fashion councils brought in the concepts of fashion weeks, but internationally people are now beginning to accept our workmanship and design aesthetics. It is a shame that our government does not support this field wholeheartedly since it has the potential to become even greater than it is now. Q. What’s the importance of fashion councils? Good points and tell us if there are any negative things that have arisen because of them? A: The fashion councils have undoubtedly played an instrumental role in placing Pakistani fashion on an
international footing. What is missing is a consolidation of councils to represent what should be their original mandate PAKISTAN FASHION. There is too much politics and favoritism. Q. How do you rate Pakistan s fashion industry? What is the one thing you would change? A: I know our workmanship in the industry speaks wonders. We need to make a better international pitch! Q. What will be the trends for the coming season? Colours? Styles in prêt and bridals? A: Prêt - for the summers the softer and pastel color palette for daywear and for evening wear, deeper hues. The cuts have lesser volume and are somewhat shorter, while straighter pants and tights are in fashion. The shalwars are making a comeback in the shapes of harem pants. For the bridal ensembles,
July 08 - 14, 2012 I 39
the more classic approach to embroidery and color palette is a safe and sure way to look your best for the ‘big day’. The longer shirts, and frockstyle shirts are still the reigning. The lenghas and pant ghararas and shararas, depending on body types are the best options for lowers. Q. Which photographers’ work do you admire and why? A: We only work with Rizwan from Deevees. We get along great, our ideas always somehow are aligned, we have yet to dislike a single shoot, and both him and his wife Munazza are great, down to earth people. Q. Is print and electronic media doing enough for fashion? A: Print and electronic
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media can never be enough! Q. What are the difficulties a newbie faces when entering this field? Any advice suggestion for new entrants? A: Always remember that businesses
do not have to start off with uncouth amounts of cash investments. We started Nayna with next to nothing, and then Arif went on to create an Event Management Company (Evenement) and Test Prep Company (Smartprep) along the same model. Focus on the basics of business, get into the nitty gritties once you have made your first million! Customers want to see your valuable ideas, they do not care what kind of car you drive or what kind of laptops you have! Q. Where are you taking Nayna in the next five years? A: Well we are off to Paris for a show next week. We have recently aligned a franchise partner in India and our strategy will be to expand our franchise model. We have also put special emphasis on IT so we are want to take technology alongside with us as we grow.
Lounge Loves Ajraks, bold colours, solid patterns - Insam couture does it all
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nsam couture is probably Pakistan’s only fashion label which perfectly and seamlessly combines tradition with modern and contemporary fashion. Insam couture is the only brand which works with ajraks, especially made and designed for Insam. These ajraks are converted into casual tunics and formal and semi formal outfits. The Insam collection is based on vibrant colours and solid patterns, and is meant for the woman who is bold, confident and artistic. Insam couture is available at Brands Just Prêt in Karachi and Mix in Karachi. The label will soon be launching in Lahore. Check out the collection at http://www.facebook. com/Insamdesigns
Studio Empoli – maintaining the fine line between traditional and modern footwear
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tudio Empoli’s summer 2012 (volume 2) collection consists mostly of contemporary designs along modern lines as this still remains the preference amongst consumers. Traditional and classical shapes that are more rounded and less pointy are still taking the back seat amongst the consumers’ choice in Pakistan. However, there are still a couple of traditional designs to cater to customers with classical taste. Another noticeable change is that after a very long time black is gradually taking the back seat and brown, especially with more than one tone with natural and light tanning effect, is really in demand. On the whole it appears that consumers prefer convenience and are going for shoes that can do equally well with a formal dress than under denims or khakis.
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Recipe
Spinach, Avocado and Mango Salad Ingredients:
6 ounces baby spinach leaves 4 -6 leaves radicchio 8 -12 small red radishes 1 small ripe mango 1 medium ripe avocado 1 valencia orange, juice of 3 tablespoons hazelnut oil or 3 tablespoons almond oil 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns
Directions:
1 Wash, pick over and dry the spinach. 2 Wash, dry and tear up the radicchio. 3 Wash and slice the radishes. 4 Peel and slice the mango and avocado. 5 (Actually it is easiest to cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and lift out slices’ with a flattish spoon.) Mix the spinach,
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radicchio, sliced radishes, peeled and sliced avocado, and peeled and sliced mango. 6 Whisk together, or shake in a jar, the orange juice, mustard, salt, pepper and oil. 7 Toss gently into the salad.
Best Summer 6 weight-loss food
Food No 1: Chilled soups Chilled soups that contain cucumbers and lots of other chunky vegetables are a great way to start a meal. Research shows that a low-calorie, broth-based soup at the beginning of the meal will fill you so you eat less. Food No 2: Watermelon Who doesn’t love diving into a crisp, juicy slice of watermelon when it’s hot outside? Half of the watermelon comes from water. It’s a wonderful way to satisfy thirst and craving for something sweet. Food No 3: Grilled Veggies A plate of grilled vegetables is the summertime is a must-have. We keeping a plate of grilled onions, bell peppers, carrots, eggplant, asparagus, and garlic in your fridge. You can use them to make dishes like: 1. Grilled vegetable and cottage cheese salads 2. Grilled vegetable pitas 3. Grilled vegetable, ricotta, and fresh herb pasta and frittatas Lighten up your diet this summer with these refreshing foods and drinks.
chicken, prepared soups, and kababs when you need something a bit heartier. Here are dietitian’s picks for some of the best foods to help with weight loss during the summer. It is just easier to make better food choices in summertime, when heavy, high-calorie dishes seem less appealing. The best foods for weight loss in summer are light, refreshing and, most important, keep you out of the hot kitchen. The single easiest way to trim calories from your summer diet, is to load up on nature’s bounty. Delicious fruits and vegetables can be easily found.
Food No 4: Salads Salads make for quick, healthy meals; no recipes required. Just give the veggies a quick rinse; slice, dice, toss fruits, vegetables, low-fat cheese, a handful of toasted nuts with some salad greens and a light dressing, along with a whole-grain roll, and you have a meal in minutes.When adding meats or fish to your salad think of them as an accessory to the greens, vegetables, and grains. Food No 6: Fruit-Based Desserts Cravings don’t take a summer vacation and your hot-weather sweet tooth can wreak havoc on your weight loss efforts. Ditch highcalorie desserts and opt for these naturally sweet treats that can tame the most ferocious sweet tooth. 1. Grilled banana sundaes made with low-fat ice cream 2. Grilled pineapple with nuts of your choice 3. Grilled peaches with honey 4. Frozen, dark, sweet cherries 5. A chocolate-covered frozen banana 6. Frozen grapes
Food No 5: Low-and nocalorie beverages Smoothies, sweetened specialty coffee drinks, sweetened teas, and sodas they all go down so easily, especially when it’s hot outside. But the calories add up just as easily. Beverages can be the Achilles heel during summertime because we need to drink lots of liquids to stay cool, but liquids quench thirst and don’t usually impact our hunger. Try these refreshing drinks and treats to enjoy this summer without blowing your diet: 1. Orange Dream Float: 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt in 12 ounces of orange soda (100 calories). 2. Tart Lemon Pom Spritzer: 12 ounces of lemon sparkling water mixed with the juice of 1 lemon and 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, served over ice (35 calories). 3. Large (24-oz) Ice Skim Latte: (110 calories) 4. White Wine Spritzer: 5 ounces white wine mixed with 3 ounces lemon/lime seltzer water (120 calories)
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ou don’t need to starve yourself on a wacky fad diet if you want to look better this summer. The secret to weight loss is to choose healthy foods They are low in calories and loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. As a bonus, you can forget about portion control when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables. Keep your cool and cut your time in the kitchen, start with prepared produce, such as cut-up fruit and washed greens. Add
s
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Skin Care
New skin care items must change with coming season
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t’s July! And we’re heading towards the dog days of summer. It’s time to think about how best to take care of your skin. Why? With the added heat, and humidity or summer, the skin care products that worked for you in the cooler months, could start to clog pores and counteract results you’re trying to achieve with your skin. Ladies who are using gentle cleansers in the morning and evening to eliminate dirt and impurities may want to change to face wash. The Guinot gentle washoff cleansing cream with the ability to deeply cleanse the skin, but mild enough for daily use. The advantage of using this cleanser in the summer time is that it will cleanse without having a drying effect. Making it easier to remove any makeup, sweat or dirt on the skin’s surface, leaving your face feeling refreshed. The basic thing which you must
follow during summer days is to protect the skin from hands of sun burn and other harmful effects use sun screen regularly. I recommend Thalgo sun screen 50 spf This rich cream with very high sun protection protects sensitized skin from the harsh effects of the sun in complete safety. Water is the natural medicine for health, especially during the summer days. You must drink eight glasses of water daily and hydrate the body naturally. This method will enhance your glow too. Also include fruit juice and other leafy green vegetables in you diet. Good hand care and foot care can keep these hard-working body parts both healthy and pretty, from palm to sole and tip to toe. After your face, they’re likely the most visible parts of your body. Don’t let cracked, chewed, or chipped nails make the wrong impression!
Nina GThe beauty boutique61-Z Commercial area, D.H.ALahore. Ph: 04235740051
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Khadija Zahid, commonly known as Nina G is famous known for her expert touch and professionalism. She has been working in the beauty profession for past ten years. Starting from one small room in her house, Nina now runs a successful beauty salon in DHA, Lahore. Take good care of them and help them shine for you. Although most people consider manicures and pedicures to be a luxury, they really ought to be part of regular grooming practices along with haircuts and color, facials, waxing and brow grooming. First and foremost because well-groomed hands and feet promote health, and secondly because manicures and pedicures feel good! With the warmer months upon us it is a great idea to change up your hair care needs. Summer means more time spent in the sun, high temperatures and maybe even intense humidity depending on where you live. All these factors can wreak havoc on your hair if you’re not prepared. Humidity can swell the delicate fibers of the hair causing stress to the cuticles and dreaded frizz. However to combat frizz and excessive humidity use sealing ingredients that coat the cuticle and keep it closed. I recommend Loreal mythic oil .. its great..
Review
Of Ejaz Rahim’s verses and poetry
Ejaz Rahim has shown through years of experience, originality and imagination that poetry today is still an art worth exploring’
By Syed Afsar Sajid
E
jaz Rahim is a prolific but versatile poet of English with some sixteen published verse collections to his credit. As a veritable man of parts, his genius embraces a highly refined poetic sensibility, a deeply observant eye, an immense fund of knowledge and worldly experience, an enviable command of the English language and its idiom and syntax, and an innate urge for creativity. A knowledgeable but discreet reader would readily substantiate the objectivity of the adjectival phraseology employed in this observation from a direct reference to his many verse collections. As a brilliant career civil servant, his natural poise and modesty would not let him loud-speak his poetic ambitions. In fact he has maintained a remarkable balance between his official and literary pursuits. Now that he has laid down his bureaucratic robes, he continues to engage himself on assignments like rural uplift, governance of academic institutions, guest speaker on higher management skills, developmental strategies and policy-making, and miscellaneous consultancy besides of course his prime preoccupation with versification. Poetry can communicate the actual quality of experience with such subtlety and precision as might not be reachable by any other means. But if poetry is to matter, and matter much, it will have to imbibe the intelligence of the age with a view to enhancing the finer awareness
of the age. Thus what one can fairly on humanism whose fountain lies in expect of the poet is that he shall show anthropology, philosophy, psychology, himself, by the texture of his poetry, to have been fully alive in our time. It has been observed that in poetic geniuses ‘technical originality is inseparable from the rare adequacy of mind, sensibility and spirit that it vouches for’. Viewed in this context Ejaz Rahim has over the years established his credentials as a poet fully capable of communicating the actual quality of experience with great subtlety and precision within the framework of the poetic art. His style is expressly original inasmuch as it does not draw on any extraneous source; instead its distinctive elan derives its force from the expanse and diversity of his knowledge, experience and imaginative fecundity. The themes of his poetry are rooted in contemporaneity as life in its kaleidoscopic enormity happens to be Door, Lock and Key – My Poems to Motherhood its warp and woof. His perception of life, far Publisher: Elite Publishers Ltd., D-118, SITE, Karachi from being dreamy or Pages: 138; Price: Not indicated hallucinatory, is founded
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sociology, egalitarianism and ethics – romantic love in its earthly form excluding which reflects the poet’s predilection for objectivity. Door. Lock and Key The poems contained in this book are dedicated to motherhood: All mothers are sacred/The snake’s, the cheetah’s, the bear’s/The murdered and the murderer’s alike/The sinner as well as the saint’s. The poems on motherhood mournfully resonate with an insatiable longing for a departed mother whose elegance and grace remained unimpaired to the last, and ‘Whose ampleness/Lifted minarets of hope/Even in the thick of gloom’. It is a very tender expression of an unbounded filial affection brimming with nostalgia. Apart from the ‘mother poems’, there are other poems also that bespeak the spatiality of the poet’s knowledge, experience and poetic accomplishment. As the addition of strangeness to beauty constitutes the romantic character in art, the addition of insatiability to this desire of beauty, which is reversibly akin to truth, would constitute as it were, the modernistic character in art. So here is a poet, nay a sceptic, ‘face to face’ with himself – passionately questioning his own identity and its metaphysical transcendence or otherwise on the horns of a veritable existentialistic dilemma of ‘to be or not to be’: ‘If I am I/And you are you/Then who is in-between?’ The poet seems to be fully conscious of the translucence of his craft: ‘Each poem is a ray/Born in the mind/Borne on the wings of thought/Racing like a dart/Toward the nascent sun/Hiding in the curls of night. …. Each ray is questing/For a mother-sun/Waiting to pour light.’ Some poems, as he views, ‘eulogise the moon’, yet there are some other poems too that would seem to intrude into the privacy of the moongoddess ‘to her bare skin’. And curiously enough, the moon in turn, ascending on high, would shed light from the sky to unveil the features of the earth ‘hidden from poems’. Could there be a better appraisal of the mystique that surrounds the fairy realm of art? In a monologic tone, the poet further questions ‘the sources of luminescence’ as a symbiotic ‘cognate’ of truth and would rhetorically suggest that it traced its ‘train’ from only one sun ‘through which/We discern ourselves’.
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Moonrising The poems included in this book are in the words of Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik ‘a poetic landmark in capturing the growth and efflorescence of a daughter between the ages of 2 and 6. Cast in the mould of an incessant and intensive dialogue between father and daughter, these poems attempt in reality to encapsulate the journey of several billion years of human life.’ Prof. Gilani Kamran’s observation on some Mavera poems (22) contained in an earlier collection by the poet titled Floating Landmarks that ‘the poet has looked at life through the transparent soul of an innocent daughter’ is equally pertinent in respect of the instant collection (134 poems). Commenting on Ejaz Moonrising with Mavera Poems Rahim’s verse, noted critic Publisher: Sang-e-Meel Publications, Lower Mall, and column writer Ashfaq Lahore Naqvi opined that he ‘is probably the best of the Pages: 184; Price: Not indicated present day English poets in the country’ whereas another well-known critic will/We cannot comprehend’ and connoisseur of the arts Prof. Kh. ‘When people die/They are supposed Masud was of the view that ‘Ejaz Rahim to leave/A portion of their treasures/ is pre-eminently successful in providing Like jewelry and other precious things/ us with genuine poetry which steers To their children/And grand-children/ clear of the Scylla of obstructionism and So we may remember them/When you the Charybdis of natrualism’. die, baba/You too must leave/Nice gifts Pristine innocence coupled with for me/Which I will deliver/To my an innocuous curiosity highlight the children/In their turn.’ uncanny demeanour of the child in the ‘But baba, here you are/Telling me texture of these poems. The collection stories about robbing men/While every looks like a continuing dialogue between night at nine/Mama robs me/Of my father and daughter. The quizzical cartoon networks./What is the matter queries of the precocious daughter are satisfied (or not!) by the omniscient with you?’ ‘Mavera, why do people die?/ father at great length, to the amazement, Because they must/And where do they and delight also, of the reader. Here are go/Afterwards?/ Good people go to a few examples: ‘Baba, why did God/Create heaven/The bad – to hell/Who taught dinosaurs/In the first place/If they you this triage/Of human destiny?/ were to be destroyed?/ That is a good Nobody, baba/It’s self-taught.’ question/But one God chooses/Not to answer/He says that matters/Of Life Not Poems but Arrows and death/And reasons behind His It is an album of some 98 short
form the themes of the poems in this collection. Lexically aphoristic, they seem to have an aura of a quasi-mystic abstemiousness about them as the poet envisions that ‘Poems too are tokens/Of our emptiness/Our begging bowls/Waiting to be filled.’ The poet’s parting message here is: ‘When the music stops/And silence begins/Only love remains in place. /Love overcomes trepidations/And recovers the bloom/That reason will surrender/To the hour of gloom.’ For him ‘To love is to endure suffering/To inflict pain, the obverse.’
covetousness, uxoriousness, lust, revenge and the like with a view to cleansing and purging the polity that we belong to. A perceptible didactic strain runs beneath the syntactical design of these poems. The ‘profile poems’, centred on the individual merits of the subjects, also display the poet’s magnanimity at its best. Poems on other topics are equally fascinating. The poet’s psycho-realistic approach to life as evinced in them has a motivational force to move and instruct the reader on its intricacies. His gospel of poetry is adumbrated in these lines: ‘I am a poem/Standing on my own/Having survived/The war of semantics./A poet on the other hand/Needs sustenance/ Like a pensioner/Or a stipendiary./I have no stomach to fill/Nor skeletons to deck/Like Mannequins./I do not push/ To curry favours/Of the arrogant/Nor circumvent the truth/Or beat about the bush.’
Dear Maulana Sahib and Other Poems This is the latest from Ejaz Rahim. It contains some 87 poems on a miscellany of topics ranging from personal profiles to the Not Poems but Arrows apprehension Publisher: Adeel Niaz, Ghazni Street, Urdu Bazaar, of ‘reality’ via Lahore what Prof. Muzaffar Pages: 145; Price: Rs200 Bokhari would term as ‘an poems focused on a variety of themes – interplay of both words and both abstract and sensuously palpable. meaning, not simply a oneHere brevity is the soul of wit but the sided game of tropes and adroitly honed textual implications of allusions’. He goes on to their content do tend to surprise the say (in his very apt preface unsuspecting reader for the microcosmic to the book) that ‘The delineation of a visual image would themes of faith and doubt; gradually seem to be transforming into compassion and cruelty; a macrocosm of umpteen symbolic beauty and ugliness; meanings. courage and selfishness; ‘The short poem/Rushes my fingers/ freedom and oppression; With a force of its own./At such times,/ enlightenment and Were I to grasp a tree/It would unseal/ ignorance; and of living and The sky’s scriptorium. dying; and of experiencing The stance assumed by the poet in love and enduring suffering these poems is that of an archer shooting are expressed in metaphors ‘arrows of love – suicidal, luminescent’. and verses that satisfy both Love, hate, good, evil, ‘nirvana’, the mind and the heart.’ Dear Maulana Sahib and Other Poems pretence, childhood, ambivalence, The eponymous Publisher: Dost Publications, Plot 110, St. 15, I-9/2, nostalgia, human psyche, catechism, the title of the book would Islamabad phenomena of nature, metamorphosis, suggest excision of and parallelism besides some specific cruelty, Pages: 136; Price: Rs275/oppression, men, matters, and events, duly versified, extortion, violence, rape,
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Fate or freewill? By Mariam Aftab
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alf of the population have no idea what fate means. When s o mething negative happens to us we say: ‘I don’t deserve this. Unless your understanding is better than this, you will always blame someone or something else, never yourself, and call it ‘fate’. So I will make the explanation easy for you by the following stories. I often thought to my self that I will search for the perfect luck spread in my clients and will see how with the aid of luck a person goes through their lives. It was a Friday and I was sitting in my office. I was reading about quotes on fate or free will. When a woman middleaged who was very well kept and had innocence in her eyes walked in, to my surprise her luck spread was perfect. She was born in an affluent family had a perfect childhood. There was an emotional warmth about her. She had traveled around the world, and was also a good student, she had married a man who was obsessively in love with her. She was blessed with a boy and, then a baby girl. Children were healthy. Her in-laws were fond of her. The husband’s work did very well after she got married to him. The woman had a special gift spiritually to be lucky to any one who were around her. My eyes opened up that here is the perfect luck spread that
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I was searching for. What more can a woman ask for? A good childhood, well-educated, loved by parents and husband, financially very sound. She was even a good looking woman. Small desires like making a house, friends, travelling even those were perfect. I was reading each card loud to her. The woman’s aura was strange. There was strange sadness even in the room where I read her card. The woman’s energy level was very low. Before I could go on with the reading, I informed her, “you are very lucky woman, are you aware of that?” The woman’s reply was very confident, “I know that”. Her husband loved her a lot, could do any thing for her, was even extremely loyal to her. I asked her, “since you are aware of your luck, Don’t you find yourself fulfilled. Her reply was “no”. Before I could go on with the reading, I felt a sense of sadness and despair in her eyes. I took out another love spread thinking that may be she likes someone else. But there was no such thing and had no such desire. I asked her, “are you excited about life”? The answer was no. I thought to myself she has all the luck in the world what is wrong with her? I got a little irritated and thought may be this woman does not know her blessings and is taking them for granted. But her character spread did not confirm my assessment. She was a very intense God fearing and an extremely soft woman. She even had a positive attitude in life but there was something missing when
I pointed that out she agreed with me wholeheartedly. At this point began my investigation into the inside and truth. This discovery lead me into further investigations into the potential of her mind, which radically changed the direction of my work. With her expansion of the mind comes health and positivity, which the woman already had. But very important aspects are independence and self-reliance which were missing, every thing in life came to her without any effort. Her energy for self-reliance, independence and struggle was converted into a state of limbo. The decaying flowers at a shrine are probably the best description of this state. Her spread revealed that the answer lay in her subconscious, the domain of her spirit. With the help of hypnosis, it was revealed that her husband was so much love with her and showered her with so much love and affection that her independent growth as a human being had come to a stand still. Even small issues such as making decisions for her children had been taken over by him. He helped with their home work ,their health, even the decor of the house was in his hands. He was not doing all this to dominate her but he was so eager to please her that slowly she had no decision in her life in her hands and was spoon fed in every area of her life. In the beginning she enjoyed all this, but later it meant that her life had no purpose, her own physical energy was not utilized in any way. Instead of
enjoying the blessings of God, she was slowly being converted into a vegetable. She was a very naive woman and did not understand what was happening to her. In order to strike a rapport with her, I spoke about humor which she did not seem to understand. Laughter releases pent-up emotion. Laughter is the beginning of all healing. She had to fillup the mind and spirit with things which would help her in self-growth, which was stagnant. Seeking knowledge was the other important insight which she had to be aware of. The subject matter you choose is not important. What is important is to spend some time each day acquiring it. She had to chanel her energy in the right direction whereby she could develop for goals in her life . By controlling our mind’s energy we can control our life. Enjoy expanding your awareness. In doing so you will also find the nature of your being. What you achieve with your body and your mind depends entirely on you and the result is your spirituality. She understood that she had to communicate with her husband instead of going with the flow and take the role of a mother and a wife and also contribute and develop as a human being. When we stop growing a state of limbo is created which results in depression and lack of motivation. Another insight was revealed by a man’s reading who was also extremely lucky. But he was a miserable person. His character had the emotion of jealousy in an extreme form which he could not control. Jealousy is a destructive emotion.Every time he thought of the
idea of his wife with another man, he shook from head to toe. every time he shook from head to toe. His wife was faithful to him, it was all his imagination which had ruined his peace of mind. His marriage suffered and his work had started to suffer too. He could not control his thoughts or the shaking fits. He was in a difficult position when he came to see me for the first time. Jealousy is a perfect example of misuse of the imagination. Of course, all that starts in the mind, and it is the mind that has to be calmed before jealousy can become a permanent feature in your personality. His life could change if he could control his emotion otherwise I saw disaster for him. His fate was perfect but he was destroying it by his free will. We had a number of sessions, I asked him to write down all of his thoughts of jealousy, down on paper every day and when he had finished burn the paper to ashes. Slowly, he moved towards conquering the terrible jealousy that had consumed him and was destroying his life. Somehow, he managed to control his emotions and started to enjoy the finer things in life
Healing tip hold yellow topaz in your left hand. it will enhance y o u r meditating ability. which he was blessed with fate. We must never forget that, when it comes to leading our lives we have freedom of thought, word, and deed. That is, we have choice, and the responsibility for the choices we make is ours and ours alone.
‘We often do not realize how important our own attitude and emotions are in determing our fate’
July 08 - 14, 2012 I 49
50 I July 08 - 14, 2012