our very own magical island

Like most Singaporeans, I've been to Sentosa island many, many times over the years.

Besides the usual outings and weekend chalet stays with friends and family, Brian and I used to take our son there quite often when he was little.

As a boy, Jordan used to love walking down the Dragon Trail together with his Daddy, because that particular walk sparked his imagination with its giant skulls, fossils and even a water-spouting dragon made of stone.


As Jordan grew older, he lost his fascination for the Dragon Trail and we haven't been to the island on a family outing for quite a while.

But last month, I went there together with five others who were on a "spiritual mission" to help Sentosa "breathe".

Elisabeth, a very powerful clairvoyant and healer whom I consider to be my spiritual mentor, had received a message that said that the current construction of the upcoming casino on Sentosa had buried the powerful, ancient crystal that is on the island.

Very few people are aware of this crystal. I only learnt about it a few years ago myself when Elisabeth was first told of its existence and guided to reactivate it through prayer and meditation.

I never joined them, but for the last few years, Elisabeth and a group of like-minded people have regularly gone to Sentosa once or twice a year to pray and meditate at the site of this crystal. It can't be seen because it is buried far beneath the island, but it is there -- those who are sensitive have experienced its energy.

I was amazed when I first learnt of its existence. I'd heard of "high energy" places that are all over the world -- Sedona in Arizona; Uluru in Australia; Stonehenge and Glastonbury in England; and the pyramids in Egypt -- but Sentosa, Singapore?

I decided to go along when Elisabeth said she needed to get to the island to find a way to create some outlet for the crystal's energy to come through, and to allow its healing energy to flow under and around the island and the region again.

I wasn't sure what to expect. But we found ourselves at the Dragon Trail, where the heart of the forest was. We stopped there to pray and meditate, and I instinctively took off my sandals so that I could connect more firmly with the ground as I closed my eyes.

Immediately, without any warning, I felt such sorrow that my tears flowed.

I couldn't explain it. All I knew was that I was somehow sharing the island's emotions, and it was grieving. Very, very deeply.

"The island is choking and the angels weep" was the message that Elisabeth had received regarding the crystal's "burial".

For the first time, my belief that the planet we live in is a living, breathing entity to be respected and loved became real to me.

This spot turned out to be one of the vortices where the crystal's energy could be released. Immediately after we did that, there was a sudden increase in the number of visitors to that particular part of the Dragon Trail, and I realised that people were unconsciously drawn to the healing energy (or dragon energy, as Elisabeth called it) that had begun to circulate again.

From there, we were guided to another vortex which I believe is meant to be kept secret, and a third spot where we were asked to pray and help fix an energy unbalance.

At the last stop, I kept seeing movement in the trees out of the corner of my eye, and I had a strong sense that we were being watched by the fairy folk. When we were done, I felt a strong rush of gratitude coming my way, and I knew it was them saying thanks for helping to fix the unbalance.

I know there'll be a lot of hooting out there when word of this spreads.

But it doesn't matter. What matters is that we managed to do what we set out to do that day, despite not having any idea where to go and how to do it when we started out.

And again, it taught me that when you open your heart and mind to miracles, they do happen... all the time.

And that's magic.

the beast in you

Today is World Animal Day.

Unfortunately, it doesn't mean a thing to lot of people. Only animal lovers will understand the need for a day to acknowledge and remember the animals who share this planet with us.

Of course it's great to honour our pets for the joy and unconditional love that they bring into our lives. And it's wonderful to remember the plight of abandoned pets and strays who deserve better.

But today is also about honouring all the creatures of Earth, for they have just as much right as humans do to living lives of love, dignity, joy and good health.

A couple of days ago, I was working on the weekend listings for the newspaper. I put a small picture of a young husky next to an item describing what the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was doing this weekend in honour of World Animal Day. The picture was taken from the SPCA's calendar for next year, which would be sold at the event to help raise funds for the non-government-supported shelter.

And the editor wanted the picture of the dog taken out.

"There are so many things happening this week -- why can't we use a picture of people instead?"

But it's World Animal Day this weekend, and there are a couple of events that are being held in its honour, some of my animal-loving colleagues and I said in defence. Anyway, there are already several pictures of people in the listings pages.

"No, no no. I want a picture of a person. This dog isn't even a famous dog. Animals are nobodies!"

Of course the dog had to be taken out in the end. And a picture of some visiting French singer with a niche following was used instead.

I was so hurt and angry, I cried.

Looking back, I'm not sure whom I hurt for most. The animals, of course, because they so often have to live with such disdain and disrespect.

But I think I also cried for the editor. Because to me, that remark spoke volumes about the spirit of someone with so little regard for another life that just happens to be non-human.