Cosmic Cradle - Nurtured by Moonlight, Guided by a Buddhist Nun's Wisdom

Enlightening is how a lot of us would describe the next session of my emotional healing book club. This experience was particularly special and dear to me, as it encompassed nurturing, wisdom, and a sense of a safe haven, all combined in a way that made it feel as if time had stood still.

I held this at The Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple that is a Bodhisatva monastery of Humanistic Buddhism that actively participates in educational, cultural, charitable and other life-saving undertakings. A few weeks ago, I visited this place for the first time, searching for a venue for my upcoming emotional healing session. I was not looking for much, but I left with much more than anticipated. Venerable Jui Ji (J.G.), a Buddhist Nun and the Director of the temple, provided so much more than I could have hoped for, and now we're here for the session.

Honoring the astrological Cancer season, I intended to have the focus of this session to be around home, family and emotions. Cancer season is a time for introspection, emotional healing and nurturing relationships. It is a water sign ruled by the moon, which governs intuition and emotional sensitivity, encouraging deeper connection with one's inner self and loved ones. Because of the nurturing qualities, Cancer is also known as the "Mother of the zodiac", often depicting the mother (or a significant feminine figure) in our lives. And to add to the cosmic energy we also had a full moon that day which is usually associated with heightened emotional states, increased sensitivity, and a portal to release emotions.

I kept the decor simple with water floating candles for a warm light. The white and blue hydrangeas were to symbolize heartfelt emotions. I added a few silver elements for the lunar magic. On the menu that day was food with comfort flavors from home, the way I introduced it - this is something my mother would prepare and serve. My goal was to nourish the souls through nostalgia.

Family and its relevance

I started the gathering by sharing what home meant for me and invited everyone to share their definition of the same. This simple yet profound question opened the door to a range of heartfelt responses:

• Family Connections: For some, home was defined by the family they lived with, highlighting the warmth and security that comes from close relationships.

• Community Bonds: Others, who lived away from their families, found that home was represented by the people around them—friends and neighbors who made them feel safe and seen.

• Redefining Family: For those who recently lost or were separated from loved ones, the definition of family is evolving, reflecting their journey through grief and the search for new connections.

With that one question, we all exposed our vulnerable selves, and in doing so, it felt as though we experienced a collective healing. This shared moment allowed us to connect on a deeper level, fostering empathy and understanding among us.

Guided Meditation & Buddhist Tea Experience

Venerable Jui Ji (J.G.) then lead us through a guided meditation that grounded everyone in the room, as if a cosmic parent guided that room into sacred stillness. She very aptly mentioned during the meditation that we should feel as if we are floating and indeed I had the same sensation, although my lower body was at rest my upper body felt stiff (that is something I plan to explore later). For anyone interested in the meditation steps, I have put them down at the end. We then had the most transformative experience of the Buddhist tea ceremony that reminded us to appreciate the beauty in simplicity, it was so impactful that it called for a blog of its own, read it here.

Insights from the Conversations

Journey of Life - The conversations that day were rather insightful. We discussed how life is our journey to find self, and when we attach to people, things, situations, and outcomes, we can become selfish. In reality, the practice of selflessness is essential.

The Role of Mothers - We were reminded that the most selfless person in the world is a mother, which brought us back to honoring the theme of the session. Venerable Jui Ji (J.G.)'s teachings emphasized the importance of selflessness and the profound impact of maternal love.

Karma and Life's Challenges - She also explained that we carry our karmas from one life to another, suggesting that the challenges we face in this life are preparing us to make better choices regarding relationships, careers, and other aspects in the next life.

A Heartfelt Teaching - One teaching of hers that truly touched my heart was her advice to take a break after every difficult chapter of life that impacts us emotionally. This break is crucial for healing, ensuring that we do not carry the emotional leftovers into the next chapter of our lives.

Connection to the book

Cheryl's raw honesty about loss + self-reliance probably mirrored the group's vulnerability. Her writing of her mother-loss and the eventual breakdown of her family became a portal through which others were able to access their grief. It felt like a collective mother-wound alchemy.

Conclusion

Everyone in the room felt held and supported. There was a warm, wise and maternal vibe to the session. The Buddhist temple gave us the safe sanctuary to unlock and release the emotions we all held deep down in a vault inside us. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to hold this space for a deep emotional alchemy. It helped the ones present transform their shadows into light.

In the end, I like to always conclude with a limiting belief from the past that I'm ready to now release and an affirmation for the future that I'm ready to now embrace. What would you like to release and affirm?

I release the need to control my emotional tide.

I affirm that I am held by the universe's womb, my vulnerability is my sanctuary.

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Steps for Guided Meditation

1. Sit on a chair (ensure the seat is flat and not bent or curved); the legs are comfortably in front of you with the feet flat on the floor; hands are resting on the knees; back is straight; chest is open; tip of the tongue is placed on the roof of the mouth with the chin slightly tucked in (this should allow easy flow of air both from nose and mouth); eyes can be slightly or completely shut.

2. Breath in and out steadily. Count up with every breath in, do not count while breathing out. Do this till the count of 10 (you can go further if you like).

3. As you exhale, imagine releasing all negative memories and traumas from your body. As you inhale, feel yourself absorbing positive energy.

4. Inhale and exhale through every part of your body.

5. When ready slowly bring your awareness back to the room and open your eyes.