Rhoda Needs Help for Karuna Training and to Heal

Hi, my name is Rhoda, and I’ve been helping people most of my adult life. I’m an Acupuncturist and I now work at the Veteran’s Administration helping disabled and emotionally traumatized veterans every day. I raised my daughter as a single mom after leaving an abusive relationship. I’m also a meditator and dedicated Buddhist. I believe strongly in the power of meditation to help me understand suffering, both my own and others’, and to generate compassion for all peoples. I also believe this is urgently needed in the world today. I’d like to continue a Contemplative Psychology program I started 5 years ago and haven’t been able to finish, both to heal, and start teaching these to others.

Now it’s my turn to ask for help, and I have to admit, it’s really hard for me to ask. I feel vulnerable and scared and like I’m not supposed to ask for help. I’m so grateful you are taking the time to read this. Here goes. Here’s what’s going on. In the spring of 2020, I was blindsided by Covid and lost my job. I was in a precarious situation financially since I had just moved across the country. Just a few years before, I had lost my mother to an autoimmune disorder, after being her main caregiver for over 2 years, and then a partner betrayed me. My heart was crushed, and I came to the East coast to be closer to the family I had left, my daughter, a brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. Things didn’t go as planned once I moved, the spiritual community I had planned to connect with was hit by scandal, and other factors I had counted on to see me through until I could get on my feet fell through. I used what savings I had and went into debt. Just when I thought it was turning around with an incredible job in Manhattan, Covid hit. At the time, I was emotionally devastated.

I’m very lucky that the universe saved me and I found another job, the one I have now as an Acupuncturist for the VA. However, I am still trying to get out from under the debt, and at the same time recover emotionally. Back in 2017-2018, I did the Karuna (Compassion) Basic training program in Contemplative psychology. It was one of the most powerful trainings and studies I’ve ever done, practices that led to deep inner transformation and awareness, deep connection to my cohort, and amazing openings of the heart to compassion. Practices that also help me daily at the VA, allowing me to listen deeply and compassionately to the veterans with my whole heart, and see each as unique and worthy. The Graduate program has been offered at least twice since then, but I have been unable to do it due to my circumstances.

It’s now being offered again this spring, a year of hybrid weekend retreats, with connection to a cohort. Doing this program would bring me much needed emotional healing and more importantly prepare me to bring these teachings to the world. We each have to do a project, and I hope to do one that will bring some of these profound practices into the Veteran’s Administration and to my community. Practices of deep compassionate listening, how to tap into our own hearts, understanding other’s patterns of suffering, and more, all critical to healing what humanity is going through at this time. Here’s a link to the website for more info.

I’ve already asked for and been given a bit of a discount. No education funding for this type of program is available through my work, I tried. I would also have to pay to travel to Colorado for the in person initial weekend, and week long retreat in September. I estimate the overall cost will be $5500. I am able to pay $2400 as $200/month. My monthly budget doesn’t allow more as much is going to rent, and paying off debt. So I am trying to raise just $3100.

If you have the means and any conviction about the importance of these meditation and psychology practices, or that someone in my circumstances deserve a little help, I would be so appreciative if you could donate whatever you can afford by clicking the button. You can offer one time, or more than once, I need to put a significant deposit by February 24th, but can pay the rest gradually over the next year or so. Anyone who donates and gives their name and contact information will receive either a special poem, or a sheet of Chinese Medicine health guidance in the health area of your choice. (for example, menopause, cancer, back pain, thyroid, fibroids, immune health, etc). Please in the comments list which you would like.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for even considering this, and for your offering if you are able. With deep bows,

Rhoda