STORY 14 -7.00pmITIS

by Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni Theri

After we left the monastery in 2010, we were facing much uncertainty, challenges, and difficulties. There was Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri’s degenerative neurological condition. We were also staying at my Grandma’s place in Leeming temporarily with no other place to go to.

I went through doubts and asked myself a lot of questions. “What is happening?” “Why is this happening?” I was also experiencing the good old ‘perimenopausal syndrome’ and would get emotional and teary when I was talking to my teacher about my doubts and questions.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri laughed at me and said: “Your 7.00pmITIS.”  My emotional outbursts and discussions normally took place at 7.00pm!

I was very grateful to have a wise and compassionate teacher and kalyanamitta like Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri. Her steadiness, loving kindness, and most importantly, her unwavering faith in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha guided me and supported me through my 7.00pmITIS.

During the rains retreat of 2010, we spent hours practicing meditation together, listening to Dhamma especially on the topics of lovingkindness, compassion and forgiveness. She also helped me with the memorization of the Bhikkhuni Patimokkha. It was my growth spurt in Dhamma. I was very fortunate to have my teacher with me.

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