Interview with Victor Anaya from the Colegiales Meditation Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Welcome Victor, thank you so much for taking the time for this interview! Can you tell us a little bit on how this meditation practice has helped you during this difficult time?
While consistently using this meditation practice, I could become free of my attachments. Which really left me living without worries. I got to know that all the thoughts that I have are not who I truly am.
What would you say to someone who has never practiced this form of meditation before?
They should really try to do this because this is really a way to achieve happiness and freedom. I experienced freedom and happiness I never felt before! It takes some time to understand because of habitual thinking, but as you practice it more you will find the true happiness you are looking for.
What were you like before starting meditation here?
Before this meditation I had lost all hope. This was the only meditation practice that provided me actual results and change. I had so much pain all over my body so I couldn’t sit for a long time. I also had a lot of fear and anger. I found myself often staring at the wall and feeling so hopeless. I felt like I was living in hell. I remember talking with people and I just couldn’t keep up with the conversation. My mind was just not working right. I had lost a frightening amount of weight and had also lost my job. Furthermore, I had chicken pox all over my body because of the level of stress I was experiencing.
So what were some of your changes when you first began? Within the first week? Within the first month?
My first noticeable change was that I realized I had only thought about myself and not others. I only cared about my own suffering. I always thought I was a very good person, but as I started this meditation I could see that I only cared about doing things at my own convenience. I discovered so much more about myself and how I truly was. I was taking antidepressants and antianxiety medication at this time and practicing other healing modalities like reflexology. I was able to come off of my antidepressants and antianxiety medication and also other therapies, which I can now say was due to practicing this meditation. I was also under care of a psychologist and psychiatrist, which I no longer need anymore. I started getting really great creative ideas and utilizing my time more wisely. My mind became more calm and much more positive. I was a really quiet guy before but now I talk with everyone. I became really outgoing. I felt a lot of freedom! After starting the meditation the chicken pox healed very quickly also.
What advice would you give to someone who has just started or is checking it out?
Don’t give up. You just have to keep going no matter what. Because your freedom is worth it. When I first started, I also had the thought that “what is the point of doing this meditation?” “It’s not going to help anyway.” I really had no belief in the meditation. I had no choice though because I couldn’t do anything or accomplish anything because of how numb I was. Even though I wasn’t getting any results at first, I just knew that maybe this is something I should continue.
Any other recommendations for someone who is just starting?
Sometimes your mind is going to be negative, but please don’t follow that negative thinking and take your body to the meditation center and meditate. That negative thinking will only make you suffer, but meditation will only help and heal you. It’s a miracle.
Thank you so much Victor! Your story will now help one person that needs some hope right now.
