Virginia Craft (Sitatara)

When I was eighteen, I discovered Buddhism as a Philosophy major in college, and promptly starting taking meditation classes on campus. The Buddhist teachings spoke directly to the immense abuse and subsequent post-trauma I’d experienced in life, and offered clear and practical ways to transform such adversities into genuine happiness. Meditation began to show me that my experience of suffering arose from my own mind—a mind that could be trained not to merge with every thought and feeling and emotion that came up, thereby bringing about greater balance and psychological flexibility.

In March of 2022, I moved to Crestone, Colorado to live and work at the Center for Contemplative Research at Miyo Samten Ling Hermitage, whereby I fulfilled the role as the Caretaker for the long-term retreatants undergoing intensive, solitary meditation retreat. That allowed me the great opportunity to be closer to the teachings and guidance of my teachers, Lama Alan Wallace and Eva Natanya. Their guidance gave me greater confidence that a balanced and psychologically flexible mind is possible, and there’s a clear, direct path to achieve it. To know that there is the possibility of true freedom from suffering and to be given the leisure and opportunity to practice with such aspiration is the greatest gift, especially after so many hardships and so much turmoil in life.

Practicing toward a healthy and joyful mind, it is my grandest aspiration then to be able to offer whatever I can to those who suffer in a multitude of ways, perhaps even those who feel close to giving up on life given their intense level of suffering. I have learned through firsthand experience and have confidence that it is possible to heal fully the traumas of a life of abuse and even the traumas of simply being alive, thanks to the genuine guidance of my teachers. True healing is possible and I will use this time in long-term retreat to more fully fathom my own mind so that I can do my part to help heal the world.

Personal Retreat Website:  Laughing With Wolves