Some people find or stumble across mindfulness in a course, a book, yoga class or a therapist.
I found it in a temple. I had nothing but my car, the suitcase on my backseat and $50. I had no where to go.
It was 2001 late afternoon, the sun was setting as I drove into the Buddhist temple car park and the gates closed behind me. I felt broken after leaving a toxic relationship only moments ago.
Previous times I had visited the temple I dropped off a nun while I was on my way to do charity work in a Children’s hospital where I was completing my Masters of Clinical Psychology thesis. Today was different, today I asked for help. I waited anxiously for the monk to return to say, “you can stay for two weeks and you can help around the temple and with the library.
I was taken to the dining room and sat at the table with a bowl of rice, tofu and steaming fresh vegetables. Tears rolled down my cheeks, gratitude in my heart.
I awoke to the sound of the gong and rushed to the main shrine for chanting in Chinese. I strained to grasp the sounds and words, a nice distraction to overthinking my relationship breakdown the cutting words, emotional bruising, mental destruction and a shattered spirit.
Then to meet in the inner quadrangle of the temple to learn for the very first time tai chi, walking and sitting meditation. At 27, for once my mind was still. I was sooooo present and calm it was profound.
A monk, a cup of steaming Jasmine tea and the warmth of the sun on my back. I began what I didn’t know at the time, would be a turning point inwards of presence and mindfulness.
Although in 1993 I was reiki attuned and from 1995 I studied psychology.
HolyWOW! I had looked for this feeling all my life YET I was getting glimpses and connecting to what was inside me. Some moments change your life forever, THIS was ONE of them.
My journey with the ancient eastern practices had begun, only to return to inner alchemy of what’s always been there inside for me AND you too.
Stay tuned as I share my journey from the temple to the psych ward.
