Bliss on Victoria

It’s hard not to have certain expectations when meeting a woman named Bliss. But after an hour-long conversation that touched on love, astral travel, celibacy and service to the Universe, and a massage that released some physical and emotional blockages, I have to say that the moniker is a perfect fit.

There are two notable qualities about Bliss Prema - her talent in working with and healing another person’s body (and soul, if you’re so inclined), and her comforting and inspiring philosophies on life.

Bliss Prema is a Reiki master and all-round beautiful person who administers Indian head massages out of her home on Victoria Drive.

It begins with a silent prayer of intention and then, ever-so-softly, Bliss places her hands on your shoulders. From that point until the end of the one-hour session, she does not break the physical contact. The client sits upright in a chair in a serene, all-white room while Bliss massages the upper back and shoulder blades. She moves to the arms and hands to help those of us who sit in front of a computer typing all day (her own contribution to the ancient head massage technique) and then moves on to massaging the head.

Next, using Reiki, she concentrates on the upper four chakras, which helps to get stagnant energy flowing. The hour is complete with facial acupressure and an overall feeling of peace and wonderment. “Each person gains and releases different things from the massage,” she said.

It’s a message that can be applied on a greater scale.

Bliss Prema is the first to admit that she’s lived her life. When she was a successful agent in Vancouver, she began to realize that she was not fulfilling her potential. A need to become pure began to develop so she decided to abstain from sex, drugs, alcohol and other addictive substances. “All these different addictions fed off of my personal power. So I wanted to see, if I slowly eliminated everything, how powerful I could become.”

Through a series of serendipitous events, she was directed to Guatemala to participate in a month long full-moon course. The lessons there consisted of yoga practice, lucid dreaming, astrology, and meditation and fasting. “I can’t even begin to describe the growth that happened on every level in all ways while I was there,” she said.

While there, she met her partner. “He looks like Jesus,” she said, laughing. “When I was celibate, people would bug me all the time and I would say, ‘it’s Jesus or bust.’ Energetically, I wanted someone who was generous and kind and loving and compassionate and who fulfilled Christ-consciousness. And when I met Seamus, I didn’t really mean that I wanted someone who looked like Jesus! But I think that was one of the key things about being so pure was my power to manifest because there was no interference. And I think that’s what addictions are, just interference and distraction.”

Upon moving back to Vancouver, things naturally fell into place. “Vancouver is a great place for healers,” she said. “There is definitely a community of people who practice and participate in healing.” She aims to get to a point where she will be able to offer Indian head massages to people at whatever price they can afford.

Her philosophies are rooted in the sharing of knowledge and love. “My goal is to have as many people doing this as possible. It’s a powerful tool, helping activate people’s souls.”

So, when asked why she does what she does, the answer is easy – it’s a life of service to other people’s souls, and in turn, to a Universal energy. “Once you surrender to the Universe and let it guide you, everything is taken care of,” she said.

There is an element of personal responsibility, though, in conjunction with trusting outside forces. “Staying happy and peaceful is a choice. In every circumstance you have two choices. You can choose to be happy and thankful for what is being taught to you by that experience or you can choose to focus on being unhappy that you are having that experience,” she said.

“There’s not one person that has had an easy life. It’s about being the best version of you that you can possibly be and letting it have a ripple effect.”

For more information on Indian head massages, visit www.blissprema.com


Photo above of Bliss Prema by Fayanne McDonald (FayanneMcdonald.com).