Holistic centre born of a dream

A QUEST for answers in life and a spiritual retreat led Chim Li Yen to set up a holistic centre recently.

Chim, 28, went through a period of soul-searching about four years back. A pharmacist by training, she had just completed her degree then and was undergoing a one-year housemanship at a private hospital.

However, she was dissatisfied with her work, becoming depressed at one point, and began to seek a more purpose in life.

After completing her housemanship, she nevertheless started a career in marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. At the same time, Chim attended several spiritual workshops, retreats and training, including psychotherapy and neuro-emotional integration training.

“I knew I had more to contribute to society,” the former product manager said.

After quitting her job, Chim firmed up the idea of setting up The Violet Flame during a spiritual retreat in Nepal last October.

Together with two friends she met at the retreat, they established the holistic retail and therapy centre in Jalan Bangkung near Bangsar. The first workshop was held at the centre December last year.

“The whole intent of The Violet Flame is to have a space to uplift and inspire people to achieve their highest potential through the realisation of the power within themselves. It is a sanctuary to relax and get away from the routine of everyday life,” said Chim.

“The centre is also a place for people to seek realisation that there’s more to life than what you see on the surface,” she said.

The Violet Flame offers products like books, aromatherapy oils, music CDs and crystals as tools to achieve such realisation.

“This place is also about what has helped me in my personal life,” Chim said.

Workshops and sessions on family dynamics and relationships, self-discovery, yoga, reiki, card readings and sound healing are conducted regularly.

“Our goal is to spread love and awareness that all power lies within the self,” she said.

For more details, call T: 03-2095 9868 or visit www.thevioletflame.com.my.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/18/central/3257258&sec=central