Marie-Rose Phan-Le: Talking Story
OMTIMES: Having spent time with so many healers from so many different cultures, what do you think are the most important components necessary for healing to take place?
MARIE-ROSE PHAN-LÊ: “A desire to heal, a commitment to participate in one’s own healing, and the faith that healing is possible.”
OMTIMES: What was the most poignant or powerful lesson learned about yourself and others while on your journey?
MARIE-ROSE PHAN-LÊ: “That being on a spiritual journey does not mean we will become immune to the struggles and suffering of this human life. But, rather it gives us tools to handle the struggles with more grace and to derive meaning from the suffering, which can transform pain into wisdom.”
OMTIMES: In what ways did being of Asian descent (and not originally from America) impact the story and affect the process for you? Did it make some things easier and others more challenging?
“In Hawaii, when an invitation is extended, the host or hostess will say, ‘Come over and let’s talk story.’ Talking story is about taking the time to linger over the details of the mundane, to ponder the realms of the profound, and to surrender any structure of time or agenda. It is practicing the art of listening and of being present.” —From Talking Story
MARIE-ROSE PHAN-LÊ: “It wasn’t until much later that I realized my interest in the loss of culture for others was tied to my own lost connection with my culture after having to flee my country during wartime. I do believe having healing heritage in my family and being introduced to various healing modalities as a child, allowed me to be more open to exploring other cultures.”
OMTIMES: What would you say is the most important thing to have on the spiritual journey?
MARIE-ROSE PHAN-LÊ: “We’re all on a spiritual journey in that our spirits are walking through physical form, but to engage in a conscious spiritual path requires what I call the “C” word—Commitment. Whenever we endeavor to do something new or big or scary, we won’t get very far without commitment. It gives us the energy and intention to go forward and informs all decisions and actions to come.”
