Lessons I learnt from a lady married to a Monk

How amazing does this place look in Bhutan?

I will get there someday. (don't look down, don't look down, don't look down)

Number 7 on my list of things I must do was to get in touch with my spiritual side.

I have always felt a 'calling' to meditation and I have had a strange fascination with monks.

One of the reasons I was so compelled to visit Asia, (Cowboy and I went over to teach English In Vietnam but didn't quite get to that point) was because I had hoped I would get to visit a monastery (specifically the amazing Tiger nest Monastery in Bhutan) and do one of those meditation weeks where you are up at 3am and you don't speak for 10 days.

I am not sure why I am so drawn to the concept of meditation.

The times I have meditated I have felt a sense of clarity and peace that has helped me with every aspect of my life.

Now as an overwhelmed Mama I feel more than ever a strong desire to get in touch with this side. For the sake of the family as well as myself.

So as part of my plan in achieving the 'ten things I must do' - my first step is to seek inspiration from those a little further in their journey than I.

Somersaulting through the blogosphere I landed on a blogger that sounded like she might have some inspiration in this department.

She is Kathy Jenkins, and she married a 'former' monk, her blog and upcoming book are both titled Lessons from the Monk I Married.

I asked Kathy some questions about how meditation and 'mixing it with a Monk' has changed her life.

I also asked her for advice on how I could apply it to my own life.

I hope this resonates with others as well - check out her blog if you are after some inspiration!

Tell me a little bit about the role that Meditation plays in your life?

Meditation has changed my life by creating space within me. It is with me wherever I go. I don’t need to control the wheel of life. By creating space, life flows through me. It is something that happens, it is not something I do. By opening up a space within me, I am able to find what I need to do naturally. I have practiced meditation continuously since 1996 and have attended long courses of 30 and 45 days of silent meditation. Continuous practice is the key that has opened so many doors in my life.

What are the biggest lessons that you have learned?

To let go and trust that my life will guide me. To love and share all my gifts with the world. Every single one of us has something positive to contribute to this world. There is a deep trusting and knowing that has come from continuous practice.

How has being married to a monk changed the way you look at the world?

While my husband is no longer a monk, he always possesses the same peaceful inner quality that he had when I met him as a monk. He’s changed his clothes, but he’s still the same person. He has made me see the world in a completely different light. I’ve let go of so much fear. Fear of what others will think of me, fear of success or failure, etc. He has so much belief that things will work out. He trusts the universe...he doesn’t second guess himself. He knows what he has to do. I think I look at the world through the same lens now, too. He has affected me in that way.

What would be your advice to a stay at home Mum suffering a little anxiety on how to find the calm voice within and view life differently, perhaps more spiritually?

Meditate. Create space within yourself. Go within. Find a time that is just yours and only yours. Do this regularly. Find a time when you connect with yourself on a regular basis and keep that going as long as possible. There are many meditation centers in Australia and I’m sure there are also yoga classes that can help assist you in your practice. One helpful site is: www.dhamma.org

If you had advice to give a new person in the world today on how to live life - what would it be?

Everyone has to decide themselves how they want to live life. Hopefully, each person finds something positive to contribute to the world. We are all in this together…if we find a way to connect, share and love one another, the world will be a better place, I believe. When we decide to give something, hopefully it is only with good intentions. As my meditation teacher SN Goenka from India says, “Give, just to give....without expecting anything in return.”

Thoughts?