|
 Cosmic Revelations
I was sitting at a coffee shop in Claremont, waiting for my
sister to arrive for our weekly “catch up” session. I was reading the West Australian and saw an advertisement
for Venerable Robina Courtin. The titles of the talks were what peaked my
interest, especially “Don’t stay stuck!” Something like how to be rid of your
negative emotions… (thank you Claire, you saved my life!) Oh my God, I thought,
they certainly know what I need. I rang the phone number immediately to book my
place and left a message on answering machine. It was Jarka who called me back
and I raced in that day to pay. I wasn’t taking any chances! Jarka showed me
the range of free books and I took a copy of them all. I wanted to be well
prepared. I started to read a couple at once.
Thursday night, 5th
October 06, I arrived at Hayagriva, took my place on a cushion and listened
intently, expecting some cosmic, mystical revelation to hit me between the
eyes. Didn’t happen. What did happen though, was a whirling dervish, pocket
rocket of enthusiasm and wisdom … Venerable Robina. What an experience.
Friday night, 6th October 06, I arrived at
Hayagriva, took my place on a cushion and listened intently, once again,
expecting some cosmic, mystical revelation to hit me between the eyes. Didn’t
happen, but what I heard made complete and utter sense! I was starting to think
these Buddhists might actually have some feasible answers. During the break I
asked Venerable how I could explore Buddhism more and she went to the bookshop
and plucked off the shelf, The Door To
Satisfaction by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. I rushed home and read nearly half of
it.
Saturday, 7th
October 06, arrived eager to finally have my cosmic, mystical revelation!
Didn’t happen, but Venerable Robina hit me right between the eyes with
Karma-the law of cause and effect. I asked her what am I meant to do about a
flea infestation? Surely, protecting life doesn’t include fleas! How could that
produce negative karma? Of course, her skilful reply and ensuring discussion
left me nodding my head in agreement at her terrifyingly logical discourse! At
the end of the day, we offered Venerable kartas and she placed mine around my
neck, looked straight at me and said, “Keep on truckin’.”
That was it! Was one
phrase from this Buddhist Nun my cosmic, mystical revelation that would change
my life and make me happy?
Arrived home that night ready to prepare dinner
for my family (at the time I was living with my partner, his son and my son).
Friday I was happily chomping away on my chicken (Chicken Treat was the best!)
but as I looked at the raw chicken breast in my fridge, I almost gagged. I
hadn’t thought too much about it during the day’s talk but obviously something
had taken place in my mind. I have been a vegetarian ever since.
The rest they say is
history! I enrolled in the Discovering Buddhism Course on Developing Bodhicitta
with Venerable Dondrub and signed up as a Hayagriva Member. I have barely
missed an event yet. Cindy put it so well: “Belinda, you would come to the
opening of an envelope!” I have realised that I
want to be happy and I definitely don’t want suffering. The Dharma has shown me
the path and all I have to do is practice, practice, practice, and
mooooooreeeeee practice!
Belinda Edwards
|
Posted on Friday, June 29, 2007 (Archive on Friday, July 06, 2007)
Posted by host Contributed by
| | Return |
|
|