The Healing Touch !
A human being is, in my opinion, conditioned such, that, a touch from another one gives him or her, security, happiness, fulfilment and definitely the feeling of being wanted. All these are the essential ingredients for our emotional fulfilment.A human touch does make an unbelievably profound difference!
As soon as a baby is born, the very next minute the baby is kept on the mother’s stomach, even before, the chord is cut. I now think, the bonding as two individuals starts that moment. The baby, after coming from the secure womb of the mother is not allowed to feel unprotected. So, we cover or wrap the baby very well and keep, cuddled to us. The baby is soothed by the touch and, soon, the baby starts recognising the familiar faces, just by the touch. Any crying baby can be pacified, if cosily handled in our arms.As the baby starts growing and becomes a young child, the relationship with touch continues. When the baby cries, he or she flies into the mother’s open arms, which prove the best pacifier !Gradually, the child becomes aware, if noticed by others.
In India, our society is not liberal with views on this matter ! A girl or boy, on reaching adolescent stage is barred from touching, in general ! A girl is barred from touching her brother or father ! It is inexplicable because a loving touch conveys what many words fail to !Why touch, even a clasp can be so meaningful. That gives an assurance, as though, to convey to the other “I am here for you”.When we go to meet somebody bereaved, holding his or her hands can convey our depth of feelings, much more than words can.
After a certain age, a touch conveys, one cares for the other.
Words are always inadequate to convey what a simple touch conveys.When we meet our relatives or friends after an interval, we just reach out for their hands to convey our happiness on meeting them.
Feelings are the language of the heart and more feelings are conveyed by a simple touch than by complicated words!I love these words:
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch.
Love,
Chithra.
As soon as a baby is born, the very next minute the baby is kept on the mother’s stomach, even before, the chord is cut. I now think, the bonding as two individuals starts that moment. The baby, after coming from the secure womb of the mother is not allowed to feel unprotected. So, we cover or wrap the baby very well and keep, cuddled to us. The baby is soothed by the touch and, soon, the baby starts recognising the familiar faces, just by the touch. Any crying baby can be pacified, if cosily handled in our arms.As the baby starts growing and becomes a young child, the relationship with touch continues. When the baby cries, he or she flies into the mother’s open arms, which prove the best pacifier !Gradually, the child becomes aware, if noticed by others.
In India, our society is not liberal with views on this matter ! A girl or boy, on reaching adolescent stage is barred from touching, in general ! A girl is barred from touching her brother or father ! It is inexplicable because a loving touch conveys what many words fail to !Why touch, even a clasp can be so meaningful. That gives an assurance, as though, to convey to the other “I am here for you”.When we go to meet somebody bereaved, holding his or her hands can convey our depth of feelings, much more than words can.
After a certain age, a touch conveys, one cares for the other.
Words are always inadequate to convey what a simple touch conveys.When we meet our relatives or friends after an interval, we just reach out for their hands to convey our happiness on meeting them.
Feelings are the language of the heart and more feelings are conveyed by a simple touch than by complicated words!I love these words:
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch.
Love,
Chithra.
Total Comments 35
Comments
 |  Touch that reassures!Namaste Chithraji, I agree with your blog. Touch is what keeps us reassured in times of need. When I was in my turbulant teens, all I wanted from my mom was a hug. Just to let me know that the feelings I had, the psychological changes etc was all normal. That worked wonders. Why humans, even animals respond to touch. The more you pat a dog, the more it knows it is wanted & appreciated. Scientists say that more then men, women need to be touched by their hubbies/kids as we respond more to touch. Massages work on the same principle. Touch with a little pressure on a point helps in reducing many pains & discomforts. In North India, women hug each other in times of happiness & sorrow. Even during my Bidaai, I got a shoulder sqeeze from dad & my brother that spoke volumes. Mom wept, but dad & my brother conveyed their feelings in one gesture. Loved your poem Chithraji. I thought ladies well versed in the 16 arts was a myth. You have shattered that myth. SHE has gifted you with a lot of talent. Thanks for sharing it with us. Regards, Corallux |
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| |  Good topic. I believe that touch heals. Touch, is the only sense of the five that is found all over our body, the rest are part related, that is ear,eye, nose... A touch makes a lot of difference as you say. I seriously wonder about the not to touch after a age even by the father, agreed there were reason and are reasons, but the child the girl in this case feels so left out if she is deprived of the pat on the shoulder or a hug she was getting before. I have personally seen the hurt of a girl in my friend's family. It's ironic then that just as research is confirming the benefits of therapeutic touch that we're also relying less on touch in the world due to the abuse that is happening around. I believe a touch, speaks in volumes than words. |
| Updated 17th August 2008 at 11:57 PM by Shanvy |
| |  Lux, by your prompt FB, you reassured methat you love the topic. I am really relieved. Believe me, Lux, in my younger days, in our families, we were "touch-barred" !  My in-laws were "worse" in that respect. well, let me admit frankly, I was a highly inhibited person, till recently. But Vish continues like that still!  Yes, animals respond so well to touch. It was after my reiki classes that I realised what touch is all about. Oh, please, Lux, do not embarass me with your loving words! Hugs & love, Chithra. |
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| | Dear Shan, touch heals as much as it soothes!Perhaps it was the fear of "touch-abuse" that made our elders insist on thottu pesa koodathu!(do not talk, touching a person).  My parents-in-law were so much against it that if I had to hand over the baby or anyother thing to any male member of the family, it was always through a "medium" ! If ever I collected letters from the postman, my in-laws used to raise hell!  Believe me, Vish is a chip of the old block. But I must admit my GDs & IL have changed me in that regard !  Hugs & love, Chithra. |
| Updated 18th August 2008 at 12:25 AM by Chitvish |
| |  Magical touch Namasthe Chithraji, Very interesting read, the power of touch is great..it can do wonders, especially with children in their growing years. Touch is a basic human instinct each of us is born with. Reaching out and touching another person is a universal action that offers love and caring. We even use the phrase "keep in touch" as a metaphor for speaking in the near future. |
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| | dear chithra mam, i thought the healing touch was about reiki...but do agree with u that a simple touch is the most reassuring of all ...when u cannot communicate your thoughts....to tell someone that i am here for you.....to pacify a crying child... and the biggest pleasure is to hug a smiling child..i did that with my friends 6 month old daughter 2 days back and her happy face is still in my mind... Mindi |
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| | Welcome, Indhulekha, to my blog!You have a lovely username!! Just a touch conveys "I am here for you" - which words cannot convey deeply. I fully agree that children should realise the power of touch in their growing years, but I also feel, girl babies should be taught, what is a good touch, what is a bad touch,as they start growing up.Otherwise they will not know the dangers which start with a touch, also. Hugs & love, Chithra. |
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| | Yes, Mindi, Reiki is referred to as the healing touch.When I joined my reiki class, we were all asked to sit in a circle holding eachother's hands. This was to make sure, energy does not "leak" out!! A touch makes a wailing child stop the same the next minute. No words can! Hugs & love, Chithra. |
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| | I totally agree... My younger daughter has always endeared herself to everyone with her spontaneous hugs... even as a little one in play school her teachers used to say that it was impossible to get angry with her when she used to go behind them and envelop them ina warm hug... she still does that.. much to the delight of all our relatives esp the older ones to whom I think a warm touch is a very reassuring way of making them feel loved and wanted. (Shes 16 now)... I come from a family of "thottu pesa koodathu." but I have really come to appreciate what a wonderful hug can do... Its indeed a magic circle that blesses both the one that gives and the one that receives ... a perfect gift...her great grandmother whos 95 and spends most of the time by herself in her room breaks out in the widest toothless grin when hugged by my children. |
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| | Dear Shyamala, thanks for coming here and writing about your daughter's "magic touch" ! I think her hugging is most spontaneous and that is what makes it so endearing.Now that she is 16, you do not have to worry if she knows good hug and bad hug! God bless the child! Hugs & love, Chithra. |
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| |  Dear Chitra You rightly said a human touch makes a lot of difference. My younger daughter when she started talking she always used to say amma katti pidichuko that always rings in my ears. Children when they are young they require their mother's caress. In old age people need a comforting hand and a gentle caress. When anyone is depressed u give a comforting hand they feel light. with love viji |
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| | Dear Chithra.. A "touching" blog indeed. I too believe in the power of touch.It is such a reassuring feeling indeed."Katti pidi vaidhyam" / "jaadu ki jappi" popularized by Munnabhai MBBS is such a relevant issue. In today's lifestyle where we dont have too much time for ourselves, let alone for each other, a reassuring touch can possibly reconnect old bonds. In this matter, I find North Indians to be more open than those from South. Of course, inappropriate touching can become / can be perceived wrong indeed. So, we would need to be careful. Of course, affectionate touch through hugs, pats etc should never be barred between parents and children, between siblings etc, irrespective of gender. Thanks and love Pavithra |
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| | Dear Viji, all that your daughter needed, I think, was the protection and security conveyed by a touch or hug! The same security is needed all over again in old age to make them feel wanted. The child feels protected; the elder person feels wanted! Hugs & love, Chithra. |
| Updated 18th August 2008 at 05:32 AM by Chitvish |
| | Pavi, your opening line is very appreciative and I thoroughly enjoyed it! See, how "touch" encompasses our words!! The kattipidi vaidyam ofcourse was a hilarious concept in the film Munnabhai, but very powerfully conveying the idea. I fully go with your last lines. Our touch should not perceived in any wrong sense - it is very important. Hugs & love, Chithra. |
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| |  Ohhh Chithu, Warm ((((HUGS)))) to you for this wonderful blog! Yes, Touch does convey so many words! If words fail to come out after a quarrel with DH, Hugs are the best way to "samadhanam"...I believe so and so does he...So irrespective of the ego..we dissolve the fight!! Now a days my grandma's(including Paati - in law) are so used to these hugs from me..Its a great assurance to them that i'm around to acknowledge them. So they instantly reciprocate my hugs with bonus pecks!! Now a days, Specialist all over the world recomment the "touch therapy" for ailing ones.A touch from mom,DH or kid can do wonders! Lovely blog chithu Your blog brought a warm feeling in me |
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| | Dear Aishu, making up with the spouse after a big fight? This is the only age-old remedy! All hard feelings get dissoved & vanish!! I can understand your words about patti. They will feel so reassured & wanted. You cannot give them a better gift, Aish Babes! Hugs & love, Chithra. |
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| |  Dear Ma'am, Again a "touching" topic. I believe that there is a great power in touch. Contrary to what most people think, the touch of a parent to an infant helps him/her to be a stronger physically , emotionally and mentally. Yes that is the power of touch. A simple touch conveys so much emotion when it comes from a close person. A touch can signify promixity, care, concern, unity. Infact the touch of an elderly person on our head symbolises blessing and that gives us a lot of peace , and when a young one touches the feet of an elderly person , it gives them a sense of pride and security.This act is so culturally rich too. A simple touch goes a long way in solving complex relations. A simple touch goes a long way in solving gravest problems. Yes the power of touch is so deep that it penetrates the skin to touch the heart. Lovely topic Ma'am as usual. Im glad though a bit late , I was able to catch it in time. Love, Your Mol |
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| | Thank you dear chithu ma'm, I have been reading your lovely posts for quite some time and very impressed. I love your recipes as well. Lots of love and prayers Indu |
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| |  Need of the hour..Dear chithra madam.. I was pondering on this topic from few months..i had always liked to hold hands while walking..it was mostly my mom i had held her for long time..then my school friends..But due to the work pressure here..I barely get time to see my DH,let alone hold hands... Its true that touching gives immense feeling of security,comfort and satisfaction..The deprivation leaves one confused,low-esteemed,irritable.. My son loves to take a break from his play and come and ask for a hug..while I do my chores..Its such a break for us..I enjoy that time a lot. |
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| | Ende Priyapatta Mole, I bet... your FB is far better than my leader post. I have no hassel in saying this because I love to give credit where & when it is due. But, Mole, people down south do have inhibitions & if I hug a friend, leave alone others, Vish looks at me, shocked!! Every line of your FB is "power-packed"! Get well, soon, we miss you in IL! Hugs & Love, Chithra. |
| Updated 18th August 2008 at 09:16 AM by Chitvish |
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