There’s only one Healing Light Institute of Spirituality chapter in the United States, and it’s right here in Worcester.
The HLI, which is a non-profit organization that helps people who have suffered abuse (whether it be physical, sexual, religious or emotional), migrated here through the efforts of Wendy Counihan-Nelson after she met and was inspired by the group’s founders, George and Chris Thomson.
The two would occasionally come from their homeland of Scotland to visit Newport, where in 1999 Counihan-Nelson spoke to George. The effects were instantaneous. “I just felt he was a very wise man,” says Counihan-Nelson. “I had never met someone who could look at me and tell me about my life. It was scary. The things he said really stimulated a lot of thought about how I wanted to live my life.”
It was the same year that Counihan-Nelson, an occupational therapist, was laid off. Opening a gift shop, she was concentrating on finding meaning in her life — and meeting the Thomsons put her on the path. She decided it was a worthwhile venture to teach others, so shortly after, she established the Worcester chapter of HLI. “When I owned a gift shop, we started doing lectures” she says. “George would come to some holistic fairs. There was a lot of interest in the group so we started a chapter here.”
Functioning as a peer counselor, Counihan-Nelson realized that as she started to grow, she could help others grow. And that’s how the HLI functions — as a peer-counseling center for those looking to explore a deeper level of spirituality.
At first, HLI’s people operated out of their homes, and sometimes at the Worcester Public Library, until they were donated some space on Harding Street. Now, she says, people from all walks of life are discovering that they are looking for alternate ways to achieve peace and happiness within themselves. HLI hosts holistic fairs, offers meditation sessions, spiritual development circles, classes such as tai chi and counseling. For many, coming to the HLI is a last-ditch resort.
“I can say through my own personal experience that it does work,” says Counihan-Nelson. “Many of our people have gone through traditional methods of counseling and medication and haven’t found a sense of peace and a happy, productive life. I think it speaks for itself. Having faith can drive you to your own higher good.”
As with any non-profit, the Healing Light Institute needs monetary support to fuel some of its programs. Singer/songwriter SONiA and disappear fear were a natural fit for its mission. A big fan, Counihan-Nelson has seen SONiA and her band perform in lots of venues (including at a fundraiser she did for the HLI at the Unitarian Church last April). “She travels all around the world,” says Counihan-Nelson. “People just feel her energy. She plays folk and does some reggae and some blues. She does a lot of political music. The way she talks about social issues — I haven’t heard anyone else do it that way. It’s interesting. It makes you think.”
According to SONiA, her songs (which she describes as “blues, pinks, country, salsa, rock and marble reggae with a slice of pizza on the side”) are easily adaptable to people’s various situations, making this type of music an ideal match for a Healing Light concert. “My songs are from a position that this world can work for everyone,” she says. “That everyone has the right to eat well and get an education and trust other human beings, fully. My songs recognize that the real enemy is within each of us, and can be transformed at any moment. That is why I call my band disappear fear. When you disappear fear between people, what you have is love.”
HLI members are fans of SONiA’s, and the feeling is mutual. SONiA, who is presently working on the score for a documentary about a migrant worker with AIDS, likes the people involved with the HLI, and says the organization makes “the Earth a better place to live.”
Joining SONiA is a band with members from Martinique, the Dominican Republic, St. Croix and the U.S. called West Indies Groove, which focuses its material on peace and harmony, as well. Also, contemporary and accomplished jazz guitarist Jane Miller, who joins disappear fear on occasion, is playing a set. “I got my trio together gladly,” says Miller, who performs with bassist Bob Simonelli and drummer Don Kirby. “We'll do a set of a few originals, a few rearranged standards from our recordings and hopefully enjoy a nice summer day. I have been sitting in occasionally with SONiA, mostly when she has done solo gigs, over the past eight or nine years. No plans to play together on this date, though.” Kim and Reggie Harris, from New York, sing freedom songs from the Underground Railroad and modern civil rights movement, as well as songs about relationships, the environment and covers by the likes of Pete Seeger and Magpie. Local jam guys Ed and DaVe are joined by bassist/soundman extraordinaire T Quitadamo.
But can music actually help change the world? According to SONiA, there’s no doubt: “Yes, absolutely. I see it every day. This event is an opportunity to get some great music and be part of the peace process. It is up to each of us to take responsibility for the actions of our country. Apathy is the real disease each of us is fighting. This event is a good cure.”
Charlene Arsenault may be reached at charlenea@worcestermag.com.