Divine Intervention: Ask and You Shall Receive
Those who know me know I had a complicated relationship with my mother. When I invited her to visit me in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand for a month, I recall we were just two days in when I started thinking, "What was I thinking?!"
Truth be told, I loved her more than anything.
I witnessed Mum suffer from a lifetime of complex trauma for many years. I observed her becoming stuck in her cycles, as I, too, became stuck in mine, and I went through all the usual associated life lessons which I now identify as co-dependency: feeling 100% responsible for her pain and happiness, my need to save her, and so on.
This is why I work as a psychologist specialising in Complex PTSD and trauma, my meaning and purpose for being on Earth.
In recent years I have arrived at a place of acceptance, love and compassion. I have realised that Mum’s journey was her own, and my journey is my own.
That’s not to say that I have remained in this place. As any of you know, once triggered by past trauma we encounter a constant practice of returning to a space of love, over and over again, and consciously retraining our minds to think and react differently.
Rewind to Monday, 11th June 2018. Mum was visiting, it was my "weekend, and we were driving to visit a well known temple in Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep. We had started the day off on the wrong foot, so to speak. We were both tired and agitated, struggling to connect, not understanding each other.
With exasperation, I pulled the car over on the side of the road. Mum got out of the car to take a minute, and I sat in the driver’s seat, crying, asking and praying for help. "God, Universe, Higher Power, my guides, please help Mum and I to rise above these earthly issues and power struggles and remember who we truly are,” I whispered.
Mum returned to the car and we attempted to continue our drive, except smoke had started to pour out of the back of our hire car. We realised we were "stuck" on the side of the road thinking, “We’re in the middle of nowhere!”. A local approached us and indicated to follow the path around the back of where we were. He didn’t speak English, we don't speak Thai. With limited options, we decided to follow the his directions.
Along the pathway, three Buddhist monks dressed in their orange robes emerged from a hut. They smiled at us peacefully and said, "Don't worry". As we stood back, the monks lifted the bonnet of the car and were attempting to fix whatever was wrong with it. They located the card of the owner and rang him, translating Thai for us. "Owner is on way to check car for you", one of them said to us. They gestured for us to follow them.
The monks led us down a path surrounded by thick, lush jungle to the most beautiful temple in the rainforest! They gave us water bottles, smiled and gestured for us to enter and look around. Mum and I were still frustrated with each other, so we walked in, mumbling under our breath. The first sign we saw said, "Keep Calm". How appropriate! The next sign, “Keep Quiet”. We smiled at each other, knowing we couldn’t continue to argue, even if we had wanted to. We were in a sacred, holy place with "Keep Calm" signs everywhere!
Mum wandered off to explore what was a gorgeous place of peace and serenity hidden in the rainforest. I found a place to sit and meditate for a while, to process what was happening and practice returning to that place of 'love, compassion and acceptance'.
I meditated, Mum soaked up the atmosphere, and then we reconnected near a waterfall surrounded by bamboo, statues, trees and rainforest. It was one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Chiang Mai, surrounded by Buddhist monks.
Mum and I took some photos, smiling, feeling peaceful. The owner of the hire car came and went. It turned out the car was fine. We thanked the three monks, bowing continuously and sincerely thanking them for helping us in our time of need.
We left the beautiful, hidden temple (Wat Pha Lat) hugging and smiling, both grateful, completely buzzed as we processed and realised the synchronistic answer to our prayers. Our journey was an example of Divine Intervention, prayers were answered, Gratitude to God.
Mum passed away quite unexpectedly on the 9th July 2018, having returned home to Cairns just two weeks earlier. The temple – our special place – is now the place I visit to revisit the memories of that day, to commune with Mum, and to spend time with her spirit.
Mum, we will love you ‘Always and Forever’. With love from your four beautiful children: Carla, Trista, Jonathan and Timothy.
