Kirsten’s Story
Bodhi Meditation creates a compassionate world where people feel nourished, loved, happy and hopeful about tomorrow. More than 100 people joined the 8.5-Day Health & Happiness Retreat during the warm days of a Vancouver summer. On the last half-day of the retreat, the group gathered in a circle and a few shared their experiences in what the retreat leader calls “harvesting time.” Kirsten shared her experience.
Kirsten almost left three times during the retreat. She left early and wasn’t going to come back. But she did. And she was glad she didn’t give up. During a drum healing she experienced an awakening. “We do suffering to ourselves,” she said. “No one does it to us. Every day we can hang onto our old story or create a new one.” During the healing, she felt darkness, and shouted “Out” into the void. She could even put her face into the void. And then suddenly the room came back and she wept. She looked at Medicine Buddha and realized that we choose what to make of life. “I choose joy.” And then she laughed and laughed and laughed like she hadn’t done since she was nine years old.
She had been molested as a child. This horrific experience robbed her of joy and stole her feminine side. The feminine side, she explained, is the meridian on the left side of the body. Hers was blocked causing her left side to be tight and inflamed. She couldn’t even touch her arm without feeling pain. During meditation she asked for her arm pain to go away. It did.
On day eight of the retreat, she witnessed a cyclist yelling at a motorist and realized that’s how we hurt ourselves. As we yell, that negative energy builds up inside us until we get sick. “Watch your thoughts,” she told the group. “Be vigilant. You are your creator.”
Shortly after the retreat, Kirsten was riding the train when two drunk young men boarded. They harassed all the passengers, blasted their music, made snide remarks at the girls, and drank beer. They made everyone uncomfortable. Kirsten felt compassion for them, thinking that at one time they were innocent children. What happened to them? She concentrated on sending love their way. Suddenly, one of them looked Kirsten in the eye and said, “I need someone to listen.” So she listened to his story. As she did, the energy on the train calmed. His friend listened too. When they got off at their stop, he turned back and said, “Hey, thanks.” For Kirsten, this was a confirmation of the power of compassion and the power of our thoughts.
Disclaimer:
- The effects associated with practicing Bodhi Meditation can vary from person to person.
- Any and all content, views, opinions, and/or responses in this student sharing are solely the views, opinions and responsibility of the respondent and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Bodhi Meditation.
- Bodhi Meditation does not provide or replace any medical advice or treatment. We recommend everyone adhere to their medical treatment and prescription.