Just One Thought

“With the aid of your Soul, lift yourself up from delusion. Do not degrade yourself, for you are your own friend, and you are your own enemy.”
-Bhagavad Gita 6:5

On my final day at the Temple of Compassion’s first wellness retreat I received an osteopathic treatment from my friend and leader of the retreat. He had been working for five solid days, treating countless people and staying constantly busy, so I put up a bit of a protest before getting on his table, but knew deep down it’d be good for me, and that after five days of volunteer work myself, I deserved to receive.

My main complaint was chronic shoulder pain on my right side which had been interfering with my ability to perform multiple massages back to back. The work my friend does is a bit of a mystery to me and I can’t say exactly what happened for the few minutes I was on the table, but I sat up feeling lighter, more aware, and energized.

After the treatment my friend told me a bit about what he found during the treatment, and assured me that the problem with my shoulder would soon be resolved. (In fact, it was fine by that evening and now, almost 3 months after the treatment, my shoulder pain- something I had resolved to live with forever- has not returned.)

Before I left the room he turned to me and said “Rosa, I think you should do the Ayurvedic Studies Program.”

I’ve wanted to complete the educational program at the Ayurvedic Institute for years. My friend has encouraged me to apply before, and each time I tell him that I can’t afford it. That it is too expensive, and that students in the program don't have time to work. That there was no way I could take a year off of working and afford to live, much less front the cash for tuition. 

I find myself saying something like that to him again when he asks me about it after my treatment, but the words suddenly feel hollow. He listens to me, nods his head, and gently repeats “I think you should do the program.” I take a moment and examine the part of myself that has been saying I can’t do it for so long. I thank him, and tell him I’ll give it some more thought. And on the plane ride home, I do. By the time I return to Albuquerque, I have politely dismissed the part of myself that had been telling me “no” for so long and  allow myself myself to be openly curious about seeing what could happen if I put a little bit of my attention and energy toward this goal.

Over the next week I was amazed at how many people I found supporting my decision, and how right it felt. Within two weeks I’d applied to the program and secured a loan which would allow me to pay the tuition and clear some of my credit card debt. Things just started to flow. And all it took was removing that little voice that told me I couldn’t do it.

 I know much more effort lies ahead, and I’ll probably be presented with more inner and outer  obstacles to overcome, but this little reminder has been so powerful for me. Remembering that just one thought can be powerful enough to eclipse our vision of what is possible. And that we are the creators of our thought forms after all, and can, in just one ripe moment, gently move them aside and see what’s been hiding right behind them, just waiting to shine on us.

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