Coffee Shop
Iridology: Iridology Outside the Box
By Brian Self
I clearly remember the day I decided to approach the E Street Cafe to do Iridology readings in their coffee shop. I was excited about the possibility of bringing Iridology into a place that I was not so sure it would be accepted.
I chose to work in the coffee shop because of my vision and calling to reach out to the community and make myself more available in service to others. I had been brainstorming ideas for ways and avenues to do this, and when I walked into the E Street Cafe I immediately loved the atmosphere and how nice this particular coffee shop was. It is one of the nicest coffee shops I have ever been in! They even have copper air ducts for the ventilation systems, along with many paintings from local artists.
The day I had scheduled to meet with Nancy at the Cafe was very interesting for me. Before I walked into the Coffee Shop all I could hear my mind telling me was "What the heck are you doing! Do you really think that these people are going to want you here telling their customers to cut back on and avoid coffee?" but my heart told me to follow through.
Our meeting ended up being very productive and an excellent experience for both of us. Nancy heard my concern for conflict of interest and met it head on with helping the community and bringing wellness to the cafe. I gave Nancy an Iridology reading to show her an example of how I work and how Iridology works. I ended up helping her and making some suggestions for some things that she could do to support her health.
So I set up there doing Iridology readings on Sundays. I began posting flyers all around town at all the community bulletin boards I could find - natural food stores, herb shops, metaphysical book stores, healthy restaurants, etc. I also posted my Iridology readings on my website in the events section.
The first day was unforgettable. I believe there were about 10 people that came for a reading. People were even coming in after I was already done for the day!
I am beginning to see that word of mouth and keeping my face and hand in helping the community is what people seem to be attracted to in my experience, in regards to the type of work we do as Iridologists. We are holding a safe and honorable space for people, and just an ad doesn't do it for most people to feel comfortable to schedule an appointment. It takes a heart to heart connection with someone along the way before people call to schedule a full on appointment. I will always be a student and I am still learning everyday.
My experience as an Iridologist there has been humbling and expansive as is all the work I do in life. I now have a deeper understanding for the foundation and basics of Iridology. I see first hand how important it is to keep iridology readings simple, basic and positive with the people I see. I also notice the language and constitutions of IIPA
Iridology now becoming more effortless to remember and am finding myself more clear and confident, referring to the books less.
In this type of setting, where I am introducing Iridology to many unfamiliar with it I display
Bill Caradonna's Essential Chart of Iridology. I take time to explainthat what I find in the eyes is a genetic blueprint and predisposition in this area of the body and that we want to always strive to keep the focus on how to nourish these areas of the body instead of seeing something as wrong. I make this very clear because I feel this is the foundation for ethical Iridology that leaves students and clients empowered.
Thank you to everyone in IIPA who has written about the significance of this in newsletters past. This has greatly helped me understand and change the way I work. After giving quite a few readings where I was left with the feeling of leaving the air unclear and negative with some, I now know that leaving people with positive suggestions and encouragement is one of the greatest keys to helping people with their health challenges.
I have met so many people who have come to me and said what a horrible experience they have had from other Iridologists who have told them what's wrong with them and which systems of the body are screwed up and then all their supplements that went along with that. Many have had a fear-based experience from a previous Iridologist. This is a great example of the ones I take extra time with to explain how we work so they understand the foundation of Iridology and how it is a road map and blueprint to health instead of a diagnosis or vice used to degrade someone with negativity and fear.I love the good old saying "The whole is always greater than
the sum of its parts".
Acceptance of Iridology by coffee drinkers has been surprisingly more welcomed than I expected. Many would come up to me for a reading (coffee in hand) not knowing what to expect. I found myself seeing iris signs and constitutions that were pointing at the avoidance of coffee and caffeine, especially in those who would come to me with coffee. It has been great to feel and see the receptivity of coffee drinkers to Iridology and their openness to making changes in their lifestylesand to positively impact their health and well being.
