I had a lovely face-to-face interview with a yoga teacher, healer and meditation practitioner Medini Kanathigoda, who lives and works in London, United Kingdom. While talking we also celebrated our birthdays, as they were close to one another.
During our conversation I learned that sometimes the time to really dare to go after your lifelong dream comes after many years of learning and practising that often tend to mix with doubt, hesitation, struggle and many challenges, which push a person to explore other ways of living life, in other words, to share with others what Divine Source gifted them with from the most beginning. However, sometimes unexpected painful moments arise while on the journey and knowing how to overcome it and deal with it and yet be able to continue on the chosen path becomes as important as breathing and living.How was the Year 2010 for you? Was it good or not so good?
I must say, good and not so good. Good in a way that I finally began realising my dream. I finally got the courage to set up the Mind-Body-Soul Sanctuary, through which I offer Yoga classes, Healing and various Meditation practises. I truly love my work, I love what I do. I enjoy it. It is something that I wanted to do for such a long time but kept hesitating and waiting... Fortunately, NOW I am sharing my Gift with others.
The other side would be not so good. My father suddenly passed away in early September of this year, which brought a lot of sadness and shock to my family. Also I have endured many small and big challenges while working towards establishing myself within the Mind-Body-Soul Sanctuary. Plus many other things kept adding on the top of everything that tends to happen in life on a day-to-day basis.
So if I put all these together, then the biggest difficulty is overcoming the grief of my father’s death. I am coping and moving forward in life as much as is possible under the circumstances.
How are you overcoming your grief, Medini?
I will explain how it works with me. I am half Buddhist and half Hindu and quite a few years back I became more spiritual, which brought a lot of Light into my Life...
What do you mean by saying you became more spiritual (I interrupted,- J.A.)?
Let’s come back to my previous question regarding your ways of coping with the grief...
As I mentioned earlier, I became more connected to the Source, to the spiritual side of Life. Because of that I am able to see, hear and feel things that many people don’t see, hear or feel for various reasons. It is all about being open to receiving your divine gift and messages that come together with it.
Due to my spiritual enhancement I found a way of being present and acceptant of whatever happens in my life, even if that means peacefully accepting the death of my father. Meditation is one way that keeps my spiritual (soul), mental (mind) and physical (body) balanced. Meditation brings a lot of peace into my life – which helps me to heal my aching heart and at the same time gently pushes me forward on my chosen path of healing, teaching yoga, practising/teaching various meditations, and many other things yet to come. Furthermore, helping and assisting others helps and comforts me enormously.
Right now what are you doing about Yoga teaching and Healing?
I offer group yoga classes, as well as on a one-to-one basis. This is one thing that I truly enjoy doing, because I can see the positive changes it brings to others. My work inspires me!
Speaking about Healing, I am currently working at a Healing Centre once a week. One thing I admire about this experience is the way the Healing Centre has been designed. People, who need healing, simply walk in and ask for healing based on their needs. I give 20 minute sessions to them. I must say, I truly appreciate this opportunity given to me. This is a great way for me to practise my healing abilities. Of course, I do have my own clients too.
Yes, I do. I offer it whenever my clients find it difficult to commute to see me. We agree on a time, and then through my meditations I work on them. All I ask them to do is to be still and in a calm state of mind (usually seated or lying down).
Have they experienced any positive changes from your healing sessions?
From what I hear, my clients do experience positive results. This encourages me a lot and helps me to move forward with my work.
But do you as a Healer feel or see them heal?
Yes, I can see and feel the positive changes happening on their energy level and from that I know they are healing. In most cases my clients begin to feel the changes only after some time, even though I experience the changes happening to them pretty much from the beginning. One reason for that is, I see and feel the changes on their energy level, which later manifest physically.
I remember, well before I began practising healing, I used to get advice from someone who I considered to be my mentor. I asked her if I was meant to be a healer (since I had the feeling I could do it), and she would say that I could be if I wanted to. It is strange how things worked out. I guess it all depended on my willingness to open myself to the Source.
What kind of meditations do you practise and teach?
What I practise is very different to what I teach.
Why is that?
Because when I meditate, I am in an extremely deep meditative state yet fully conscious, even though I am fully aware about everything that is happening around me. I would not take my students into this state, unless they are ready, which I will obviously know. When meditating I bring my deities and guides in and work with them, I also ask for guidance on various issues and turn to them for direction and answers. Whenever I do healings on my clients (through meditation or even on a face-to-face basis), I am able to remove energy blocks and allow healing to take place so that the person can move forward on their journey. My way of meditating gives me access to an energy level from where I do most of my work.
In terms of teaching, I offer meditation in self healing, mindfulness practice, developing concentration and focus, stress release, and many others. It all depends on the individual and what they want or need to gain out of their practice.
How do you manage to keep a balance in your life?
When I am living my normal life, I live it like anyone else: I eat, I sleep, I look after my two beautiful, loving children and I do my best in being a good wife. But when I do spiritual work, which includes teaching yoga, healing and meditations practises, I become gently engulfed with it at that particular moment. I do not mix the two worlds together. However, the beautiful thing about my life is that daily meditation is something that positively enforces balance and peace in my day-to-day living and working.
I know that on the 17th December you celebrated your 40th birthday. Tell me please, what has your life taught you so far? What wisdom have you gained?
I did celebrate my 40th birthday – in a way many people may not. I spent most of the day taking part in a Buddhist ceremony serving food to priests as part of a ritual for my father's 3 months death anniversary. I guess I was blessed that the anniversary landed on my birthday.
I must say, a new phase of my life has just begun and I am very proud of what I have achieved to date. The major growth of my life has been in the last ten years, where wisdom reached new levels, my awareness expanded beyond what I thought I was capable of achieving and rightly deserving. I became calmer and more focused. Compassion flew into me and levels of acceptance became greatly enriched. I am Peace. I am whole. I Am.
Did life become any simpler or more complex for you?
It was a combination of the two – and it still is, but lately it has become, in a sense, more flowing as I am opening myself up to new opportunities, possibilities and adventures...
What would your wish would be for People of the Mother Earth for Christmas and New Year 2011?
I wish Everyone a wonderful Christmas and I hope that every individual receives everything that they need and deserve in the coming year 2011. Let this New Year BE the year of Healing and Peace.
Her page on Facebook is called MindBodySoul Sanctuary
Copyright © Jolita Kelias, Dec 2010
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