Another life safed?

A few years ago, after his Naikan retreat, a participant hugged me and told me “You saved another life!”. True – and yet not really true. It is this unique form of self-exploration that has such a life-changing effect on many, and each participant does this work for themselves. So you can say: “Naikan saved your life – and YOU did it!”

In any case, it is true that Naikan has “saved” many a life because it has made a lasting positive change. Whether it was a senior physician searching for meaning, a depressed craftswoman, a cheated husband, a violent alcoholic, a life-weary company boss or simply a curious biography worker – all of them and many more found their way back into relationships, work and life through Naikan and were able to experience a new quality. Each of them eternalized themselves in our guest book in a very individual, sometimes very personal and always very touching way.

On behalf of them all, I would like to share a letter that one of the first participants of our new colleague Sarah Kempff recently wrote to her social network a week after her retreat. The letter is published here with the author’s permission. I choose this letter because Monika knows how to express her feelings in a uniquely poetic way – thank you Monika!

“Dearest reader, a little share about my Naikan Retreat:

A week before the retreat was to happen, my whole system picked up that something is going to happen and my instinct to protection mode. So I fell into a frenzy and started to eat as if I was a bear going into hibernation. Panic, uncertainty, fear… “Goodness 7 Days of sitting and meditation”!

There was a deeper knowing inside of me that knew what is to come and needed to go, yet the ego was like “oh no!” Because it knows… it knows that this will unmask all the little hidden truths that I sweep under my own carpet. Luckily heart and soul were the winners here. The day before Naikan, excitement brewed inside of me, my soul lit up and my body was happy… my mind though: still very fearful and uncertain.

When I arrived the stillness of the Bavarian forest caressed my soul and the warming comforting home of Sabine and Peter embraced my body and mind.

After settling in the mind began its work: “What on earth am I doing here”, anxiety running high, fear fuelling my addictions. I need to eat everything, drink all the coffee of the world yet… Gently observing myself as I dived into my automated reactions to “danger” sensed by the ego.

The exercise starts

The atmosphere of the space offered love and acceptance to open up inside of me and I just let it be. “Aahhhhh, that’s nice”. The soothing and honest words and presence of Sarah let me know that we all experience this and all will be well. At 6pm on Saturday night I received dinner and began the journey into the inner world of truth. Love, awe, excitement boiled up inside of me. “I’m ready!”

Ooooh what a beautiful rollercoaster ride. I would be lying in saying this was not a challenge but it is exactly that, a challenge for it requires YOU to be PRESENT with YOU and to just letting go, let go of the resistance. You are safe and the only judgment is coming from yourself. Thankfully I had Sarah and Sabine feeding me 3 times a day (and even a sneaky coffee and cookie in between to keep the spirits up), guiding me gracefully and offering the space of full acceptance, honesty, openness and authenticity. (You wont believe it but we even laughed at least once a day).

The most beautifully subtle heart opening experience, offering the gift of courage, acceptance, loving kindness to others and myself.

As I sit here writing, one week has passed, my perspective on life has shifted in such an incredibly subtle yet profound way. I know am able to tap into a more objective point of view and bring understanding to the veil of Maya that can cloud our relationships with others and ourselves. And so in a big way, I feel a window has been opened and fresh air glides in and gently brushes against me and reminds me to be right here, right now, return to the truth of the moment and remember there is always takes two to tango.

With my outmost love and gratitude to Sarah and Sabine for the service that they do, the respect and support from them knowing the amount of courage inner work takes and the nurturing along the way. Monika Radziejowska”

Many thanks, Monika and the many participants who have the courage to explore their true selves so openly. We look forward to seeing each and every one of YOU:-)