A Journey to Illume Living Lotus
The Initial Spark: Experience & Rekindled Questions
My holistic path unfolded organically, beginning in 2002 with the experience of Reiki. Its immediate effects amazed me, bringing deep joy and liberating long-held emotions. This revelation coincided with my exposure to Buddhist philosophy, which deeply resonated with my innate desire for peace and happiness, igniting a lifelong source of inspiration.
Amidst my demanding 9-to-5 corporate routine, I sought genuine ways to unwind and find balance. Through a Reiki practitioner who was also my massage therapist, I truly appreciated the deeper benefits of Reiki: profound relaxation, emotional release, and restorative rest. My limited understanding of Buddhism rekindled a growing curiosity, prompting me to revisit life's most fundamental questions about purpose and truth.
A Turning Point: Challenges & Shifting Paths
Between 2009 and 2012, personal challenges escalated. I grappled with Graves’ Disease, relentless anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. The unprocessed grief from my father's passing in 2010 compounded these struggles. While conventional medicine treated physical illness, the emotional and mental turmoil persisted. By 2013, my corporate role as a Senior Analyst felt unfulfilling, and I made the brave decision to step away. My journey then took unexpected turns.
“No mud, no Lotus”
A Path Unveiled: Immersive Healing & Formal Training
In 2015, travels through Ecuador led me to Shamans and Reiki Masters who became catalysts for profound healing. I experienced my first truly restful sleep in years, filled with immense openness and joy, culminating in my Level 1 and 2 Usui Reiki Ryoho training from The New York International Reiki Center. My spiritual quest deepened significantly in 2016 during my first trip to Nepal. At Kopan Monastery, I immersed myself in the Buddha’s Philosophy, where the teachings' inclusivity and emphasis on personal testing resonated deeply. I traveled to Pokhara, where I studied Lama Fera, Mudra Vigyan, and Reiki 3A Master Healer under the revered guidance of Kendra Prakash Thapa at Gorakh Nath Integral Transformation Center (formerly G.N. Reiki Meditation Center). I returned home rejuvenated, eager to integrate these practices.
Profound Release & Inner Work
My commitment to Buddhist principles grew, leading to subtle yet profound personal shifts. The 2018 pilgrimage to Nepal reinforced the impact of my practices. It was there I encountered Sound Healing, and subsequent training with the Sound Healing Academy brought further release, profoundly aiding the processing of my father's passing.
I've always been introspective, examining my thoughts, emotions, and actions. Now, equipped with powerful new tools, I began to thoroughly observe ingrained patterns and understand their influence on my well-being. This introspection led me back to childhood imprints and family dynamics. While initially overwhelmed by resurfacing emotions, I committed to healing these patterns.
The Path of Mastery: Integration & Realization
In 2022, a 200-hour Y.T.T.C. Transformational Yoga Course in Nepal provided the profound observation and understanding I had long sought in yoga. This Integral Yoga method facilitated unexpected healing of my inner child and ego, unifying my diverse practices and deepening my awareness of my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies.
A 2023 self-retreat in a monastery in Pharping, Nepal, deepened my loving-kindness and purification practices. During this time, a strong inner calling guided me to pursue Master level practices in Reiki, Lama Fera, and Mudra Vigyan with my dear teacher. This culminated in profound transmutation and the liberating realization that there is nothing external to obtain; instead, our inherent nature needs to be rendered evident. Accepting all internal and external realities ushered in deep peace, understanding, joy, and clarity.
Gratitude & Dedication
I am immensely grateful for the wisdom and kindness bestowed upon me by my dear teacher, Guru Shree Antaryogi Chaitanya (Kendra Prakash Thapa). Under his guidance, I explored various practices, all of which enabled me to delve deeper within and experience profound transformation. My heartfelt thanks also go to the love and support of the Gorakh Nath Integral Transformation Center.
I express my deepest gratitude to all the Lamas who transmitted Buddha's teachings, offering a new perspective on the mind through awareness, investigation, cultivating loving kindness and equanimity, and focusing on our inherent nature. I am also profoundly thankful to the healers and teachers who created nurturing environments and generously shared their knowledge and support on this journey. My appreciation extends to friends and relatives who embraced these practices with open minds, as observing the positive impact on their well-being has strengthened my commitment to this path.
Every step of this personal journey – from navigating life to embracing profound spiritual practices – has culminated in Illume Living Lotus. Born from this lived experience, this space is dedicated to offering the integrated wisdom and tools that guided my transformation. Here, I invite you to illuminate your inner light, cultivate a vibrant, living practice, and allow your true self to blossom like the lotus, finding natural joy, peace, clarity, and wholeness.
I wholeheartedly dedicate this entire journey to the benefit of all sentient beings.
