Things happen for a reason

This started long before my trip to Spain. When I was planning for my trip, I checked the school calendar that my last day to input the grade is June 3rd. So, I booked my flight on that day at 11 PM, just in case I have to be on campus for something.

My exam was May 22 and May 23, so I thought I would have plenty of time to pack up since I have to move out from my current room.

One random thought pop up urging me to check the retreat schedule at a monastery in Pine Bush New York. There was a retreat with Simon Child and Rebecca Li, from May 25 - June 2. I wanted to meet these two teachers since a while ago but the time has never worked out, but this time, it FITS perfectly in my schedule.

However, it is not as simple as that. A student of mine was sick so she didn't show up for my exam and requested a make up. The Final exam period finishes on May 30th. Her doctor note that she needed a good rest. After negotiation, she said she will be ready on May 29. I was a bit upset to know that since this means I won't be able to attend the retreat. But on the other hand, not going to the retreat gives me some time to pack things up, so I won't have to rush that much. I always had dilemma when it comes to retreat. If I don't go, have I wasted this good opportunity? Later I found out, I also have a deadline for extended abstract to a conference due on May 30th, so I was more convinced that this retreat might not be for me.

Fortunately, another random thought appear. How about if I drove up to volunteer from May 30th to June 2? I don't even know whether it is something possible as normally volunteer came for the same period of retreat. I wrote and email and submit the volunteer form and I was approved.

I drove up to Pine Bush and about 30 minutes before arrival, I heard a funny noise. At the beginning, I thought may be the road was uneven or so. But since the sound follow me for a while, I knew it was from my car. I knew something had gone wrong but I am not brave enough to stop and check it. My old car has always been giving me surprises. I was still so many more miles away from my destination. I just dragged the car with me.

The last 10 minutes or so, the sound is even louder. Once I arrived, I found that the last part of my muffler broke down. It touches the street all the way, producing the sound. I was lucky that it was Thursday afternoon so I still have chance to fix it on Friday. When I move my car backward, the whole muffler just fall off. Instead of being panic, I laughed soooo badly. I came with an old car and I am going back with a sport car! Mwahahahhaa. The sound of my car was so COOL! The monk who saw me couldn't stop laughing too. (don't worry, this was fixed before I drove it home. I was lucky that the mechanic was 5 minutes away from the monastery, so I don't need to show my sport car to police). Haha.

I get a volunteer work in the kitchen. The kitchen head is a tall monk that I had never met. I figured out within 5 minutes he was so funny, so caring. He told me that I should not wear glasses all the time, I need to take them off when I don't need it, as that will give the chance for my eyes to relax. He taught me how to massage my eyes.

Later on when preparing dinner, he asked why I am so thin. I told him that I eat a lot but I cannot gain weight. He said my body is by default very tense. Using his fist, he massaged my jaw and it was sooo painful. He asked me to do that from time to time, once the pain is gone, hopefully my body relax better.

The next day, he noticed my habit of crossing my leg, one over the other thigh. He pointed me for the first time. I thought because it is not polite. After the third time noticing me crossing leg, he asked me to stand up. He ran her finger through my spine and found that my spine are not aligned well. He took a chair and asked me to sit backward and started cracking my spine. The Qi energy in my body doesn't flow well due to the bad sitting position that impact my spine. After the cracking, I felt amazing!!! I have never feel this comfy and relax with my body. He warned me not to cross leg anymore. Once I did it, the problem with my spine will return. I have to put so much awareness into it since it has been a habit from a long time. I want this to change though, since the feeling with proper aligned spine is so good.

The tapper

The following day, he introduced me with tapping to circulate energy Qi better. He tapped my armed with a tool and it was sooooooo painful. The bruises came out. I ran away before he finished doing it. It was too painful. My body condition is so bad that's why I experienced so much pain. Also, I was about to travel to Spain, I didn't want to be stopped at the immigration and suspected as a drug dealer with all bruises along my arm. He gave me sesame oil to apply on my arm. It helped a lot. I feel so much better after the tapping. Body is so fresh! He gave me the tool so I can continue doing it at home.

The kitchen was super busy all the time, so I only had chances to attend the talk of Simon Child twice and in both occasion, I slept perfectly. But I learnt a lot in the kitchen. I learned how to work joyfully, silently, from 5 AM in the morning till 7 PM at night, preparing food with almost no break. The head chef was a 70 years old lady. She kept up with that 14 hours joyfully. No complaints at ALL! I did took a short break to sit down but not her. I had chance to stir fry veggie in a big wok of diameter around 1 meter!! I cleaned the wok with a big brush. I felt like a master Chinese chef. haha. I had sooo much fun!

From this I see, I probably meant to be in the kitchen to be fixed by this monk, instead of as participant in the Chan Hall. I ended up earning much more benefit for myself than the help I offered.  (I am born as a parasite. LOL) Thanks to my student who needed a make up exam.

I was extremely relax and happy leaving the monastery.

When I arrived to Granada, a problem occurred, but because I was in a relax mode, I was able to help figuring out the problem, mindfully.

I see that everything lines up perfectly! I am grateful to the universe and all causes and conditions.

Deep bow.