Dear Sangha,
Oh how I have missed you all over the last five months!
As some of you know, I was experiencing deep fatigue off-and-on since a bout of Covid in March 2023. But last August, I went over a kind of neurological cliff and spent 4 1/2 months completely tanked in bed. Thanks to good advice from Tempel Smith and other experts in the field, I subscribed to a limbic system/brain retraining program late fall, (The Gupta Program) and made it my full-time job for the last seven weeks. Happily, I was able to regain enough function to enjoy some of the holidays with my family and guests (although I’m back in bed this week, it’s hard to pace myself when there’s so much I miss out on.)
Statistics are good for post-Covid chronic fatigue syndrome suffers in these programs, Most people regain 50 – 80% of their former health and some cure the syndrome completely. While my early results are promising, I have a long way to go.
And so I’m taking a sabbatical from teaching for 2025. My goal for the year is to apply myself to diligently to the re-training practices of the program, rest and recovery. Happily for me, the silver lining is very rich regarding meditation practice– mindfulness of mind and body are key to the retraining, and I feel as if I’m on the year-long retreat I always fantasized I might undertake. (Be careful what you wish for?) Fairly decent lemonade from very sour lemons.
Our Sangha is in very good hands with our leadership team of Mary, Megan, Rose and Sandy, augmented by visits from Chaim Bryski and our notable visiting teachers. I have full confidence that our programs and community will continue to thrive without my presence.
You may see me in a zoom window now and then at our guest teachers’ events, and if my energy allows, I will return to co-lead the Tuesday morning online Kind-Hearted Awareness group in March. Fingers crossed!
I will miss seeing you all and sharing the richness of practice together. Know that I’m with you in spirit and wishing each and every one of you (even the newcomers I haven’t yet met) inspiration, transformation, liberation… and a happy and healthy 2025.
With love,
Suzanne