Colleen

Colleen hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born into a Catholic family with a rich European heritage, including Scottish and French Canadian ancestry. Her upbringing involved exposure to religion through Sunday school, but at 18, her parents decided to step away from organized religion due to disagreements with church politics, leading Colleen and her siblings to also cease practicing.

Initially, spirituality took a backseat in Colleen’s life as she pursued studies in art history and built a career primarily in the business side of art museums, focusing on marketing and fundraising. However, a gradual curiosity about spirituality emerged later in life, leading her to explore meditation at a Shambhala center in Los Angeles. This practice provided her with a sense of comfort and introspection, prompting her to delve deeper into spiritual exploration.

As Colleen entered her fifties, she found herself in a period of transition, characterized by her children embarking on their own paths and the passing of her parents. Fascinated by the topic of death, Colleen became a certified death doula, offering support to individuals in their dying process. Alongside her continued involvement in museums, she is pursuing education in mental health counseling, embracing this stage of life as a period of self-discovery and new perspectives, despite choosing to live alone after the loss of her family.

In Colleen’s quest for spiritual fulfillment, the path she embarked upon was marked by unexpected twists and profound encounters. Initially drawn to meditation as a means of relaxation, she found herself inexplicably captivated by the rich tapestry of Buddhist teachings.

Her journey took a remarkable turn when she stumbled upon a Tibetan temple, a kaleidoscope of colors and imagery unlike anything she had encountered before. There, she encountered a high-level teacher whose gaze seemed to penetrate her very soul, igniting a sense of familiarity and comfort she couldn’t explain.

Through her journey in Buddhist practice, Colleen found profound meaning in the structured rituals and teachings she encountered. Initially apprehensive, she was drawn to the organized nature of the practices, finding comfort in the step-by-step process they offered.

In reflecting on her spiritual journey, Colleen acknowledges the intensity and enthusiasm she initially brought to her practice, likening it to a rushing fire hose of excitement. However, she received gentle guidance from her teachers to temper this fervor with patience and humility, emphasizing the importance of steady, consistent practice.

Colleen reflects on her profound transformation since embracing Buddhist practice, describing it as a crack opening to a new way of perceiving the world. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, she finds solace and strength in her newfound spiritual path, which she now integrates into both her struggles and joys.

Initially drawn to the simplicity and elegance of Buddhist teachings, Colleen now navigates a deeper understanding of their complexity and application in daily life. She notices a significant shift in her awareness, with her practice becoming an ever-present thread woven into the fabric of her existence.

As she embarks on her journey as a mental health counseling student, Colleen grapples with the alignment of her studies with her Dharma practice. However, she finds solace in the convergence of existential theory with Buddhist philosophy, allowing her to adapt her learning to resonate more closely with her spiritual path.

While mindful of not imposing her newfound beliefs on others, Colleen finds herself increasingly drawn to her Sangha and the practice of pilgrimage. Despite occasional worries of becoming too enthusiastic, she remains grounded in her awareness of impermanence and the desire to explore sacred places resonant with the frequency of her practice.

Externally, Colleen may not appear drastically changed, but internally, she feels a profound shift towards acceptance, flow, and attentiveness to the present moment. In this newfound state of calm, she embraces the subtle beauty of life’s details and finds comfort in simply being.

When asked about her expectations and goals in her Buddhist practice, Colleen initially struggled to articulate a specific outcome. Feeling momentarily self-conscious, she admitted to not having a clear expectation of change or transformation. However, her teacher seemed relieved by her response, suggesting that being open to whatever arises from the practice is a valuable perspective.

While acknowledging the grand ambition of benefiting all sentient beings inherent in Buddhist teachings, Colleen’s personal goals remain fluid and evolving. She views her practice as a journey of deepening self-awareness rather than a quest for immediate relief from stress or suffering. As she continues her practice, Colleen embraces the uncertainty of her journey, allowing for growth and transformation to unfold naturally.