INTERVIEW WITH BHAKTIN ŠPELA ŠKET
26 January 2020 Ljubljana
Gita Seva: Hare Krsna, I'm here in the Ljubljana ISKCON Temple with Bhaktin Špela from Slovenia. I sometimes meet extraordinary people and devotees. This is why I invited her for this interview. I would like to ask her to introduce herself.
Špela: Hare Krsna. I'm Špela, I'm 24 years old and I come from Šmarje pri Jelšah in Slovenia. I'm interested in spiritual practice, singing, dancing, helping people and in searching for inspirational knowledge. I attended high school for a kindergarten teacher. Last year I decided to open a new chapter in my life. I started visiting New School for Natural Healing (Reiki). It is an alternative method of natural healing. It works on all levels: spiritual, emotional, mental and physical. The result is a better understanding of ourselves, others, and life.
In the past I have had battles with eating disorders. I was treated by pills, with therapies and recovery programs. After all I realized that I was not stable enough and that I had many challenges in relationships. I felt lack of vital energy and life meaning. The puzzle pieces did not fit together into a meaningful whole. I was still looking back, blocked by resentment, anger, fear, and guilt.
I started searching for other, alternative options and came into contact with Vedic knowledge – through lectures from Ananta Vijaya. He was talking about practical knowledge of relationships, psychology, education, daily routine (food, sleep, daily activities), importance of time, and social activities.
My first visit at the temple was six months ago. I was fascinated by the experience. Because I love to sing, I am abig fan of kirtan. Mantra meditation calms my mind, which gives me the opportunity to work better on myself. I look for options to serve and help others – in every situation.
Bhakti Yoga practice started changing my life. I realized the importance of relationship with God. It helped me at better understanding this life, other people and myself. It's an intense process of exploring, healing, forgiving, purifying, learning, changing habits, strengthening love, patience, honesty, and service. It's never ending story and that's why is it so powerful. Every day is a new challenge and opportunity to grow, serve and love.
GS: I have heard from some people that you are very enthusiastic to help with spreading of knowledge and that you have an amazing attitude. Can you tell us something about that? How can you be like that? Were you always like this or you become like that later?
Špela: My story is interesting. I would start at the beginning.
My mother and I had car accident when I was three years old. She was severely injured. She had an open fracture of the left arm, and I had a brain concussion. Mom was in the hospital for three years, she had twelve surgeries. I was in the care of my grandparents at that time.
My father found another woman. He wasn't at home much. A few months later, after my mother left the hospital, they got divorced.
My grandfather and I were more connected. I loved coming to his farm, riding horses, and feeding other animals.
My mother has always stood by me, helped me and supported me - through everything.
I felt a lot of guilt about everything: about the accident, parents divorce, and misunderstandings. I didn't feel safe. I rather focused on school and learning. I attended music school (flute), sang in choirs and danced. Later I attended high school for a kindergartner teacher.
I was very introverted, so I hardly connected with other people. My head and inner world were full. I didn't trust almost anyone. I was naive, so it's clear that this behavior didn't produce good results. I was very hard on myself. I wanted to prove that I am good enough. Some people were psychologically abusive to me.
After the high school a very difficult period of my life started. I lost 35 kilos in few months. I had anorexia and lately bulimia too. The battle was really hard. I almost died. I lived in my own world, where self-destructiveness ruled. I attended some recovery programs, where I opened and started to feel the weight of everything that I was pushing away my whole life. I started the process of self-growth. Later, I moved on my own and many new challenges opened.
My mum gave me an amazing example how to serve and love. I got this qualities from her. When she came home from the hospital, we connected on a very strong level. We helped each other in every situation. I was always fascinated by how she had treated other people, she was always ready to help.
Many people were surprised and shocked by her actions. Me too, but her attitude attracted me and I was heartily learning from her. I felt so different because of her special behavior and the values I followed. People judged our relationship and actions. But later, I realized that our actions made sense, because we served others. I am very grateful for my mother to gave me this amazing example of service, love and forgiveness.
When she was in a hospital, she didn't know how long would it last, she was in pain and she was missing her family. She didn't get right support from the closest people. I can't even imagine how hard and intense was this process for her.
GS: So you have a good example in your life – your mother.
Being good is good, but people sometimes take advantage of it and you have to somehow let them know that you will not tolerate everything, otherwise they will continue to abuse and exploit you. Unfortunately, this world is like this and sometimes you have to be tough? But that doesn't mean we should stop being good. We can continue with it. It's interesting your mother was like this. Does she believe in God?
Špela: Yes, somehow. She naturally opened to God, but I think she didn't know she did.
GS: So, she just follows some principles, she feels what is right?
Špela: Yes, yes! Exactly!
GS: When did your personal transformation start: changing life and changing your attitude?
Špela: It started in primary school, after my parents got divorced, with accepting the situation. And then through the battle with eating disorders. I almost died, because my body was exhausted, I was just 39 kilos. My inspiration, singer Maja Keuc, helped me with her support. We had some powerful conversations about life and, after that, I decided that I want to live. From that moment a powerful process of my transformation has started.
The most intense changing began with Bhakti Yoga practice. My world turned around. I saw myself in totally different view – not as I expect to be or as I think that others see me, but as I really am. I started accepting the real me – my nature, advantages, disadvantages, vulnerability. Bhakti Yoga gives me inner peace, love, inspiration, tolerance, connection, understanding, trust, etc. My worldview completely changed. It takes daily work, practice, energy, commitment.
GS: What are your plans for the future?
Špela: I want to follow my intuition and heart, but also use my brain better. I'm going to sing, share my story, teach people about life, help others with what they need, upgrade Bhakti yoga and Reiki practice.
GS: What would be your last message for our readers?
Špela: I remember one amazing quote. One physician once said: »The best medicine for a human is love.« Someone asked: »What if it doesn't work?« He smiled and answered: »Increase the dose!«
***
26 January 2020 Ljubljana
Gita Seva: Hare Krsna, I'm here in the Ljubljana ISKCON Temple with Bhaktin Špela from Slovenia. I sometimes meet extraordinary people and devotees. This is why I invited her for this interview. I would like to ask her to introduce herself.
Špela: Hare Krsna. I'm Špela, I'm 24 years old and I come from Šmarje pri Jelšah in Slovenia. I'm interested in spiritual practice, singing, dancing, helping people and in searching for inspirational knowledge. I attended high school for a kindergarten teacher. Last year I decided to open a new chapter in my life. I started visiting New School for Natural Healing (Reiki). It is an alternative method of natural healing. It works on all levels: spiritual, emotional, mental and physical. The result is a better understanding of ourselves, others, and life.
In the past I have had battles with eating disorders. I was treated by pills, with therapies and recovery programs. After all I realized that I was not stable enough and that I had many challenges in relationships. I felt lack of vital energy and life meaning. The puzzle pieces did not fit together into a meaningful whole. I was still looking back, blocked by resentment, anger, fear, and guilt.
I started searching for other, alternative options and came into contact with Vedic knowledge – through lectures from Ananta Vijaya. He was talking about practical knowledge of relationships, psychology, education, daily routine (food, sleep, daily activities), importance of time, and social activities.
My first visit at the temple was six months ago. I was fascinated by the experience. Because I love to sing, I am abig fan of kirtan. Mantra meditation calms my mind, which gives me the opportunity to work better on myself. I look for options to serve and help others – in every situation.
Bhakti Yoga practice started changing my life. I realized the importance of relationship with God. It helped me at better understanding this life, other people and myself. It's an intense process of exploring, healing, forgiving, purifying, learning, changing habits, strengthening love, patience, honesty, and service. It's never ending story and that's why is it so powerful. Every day is a new challenge and opportunity to grow, serve and love.
GS: I have heard from some people that you are very enthusiastic to help with spreading of knowledge and that you have an amazing attitude. Can you tell us something about that? How can you be like that? Were you always like this or you become like that later?
Špela: My story is interesting. I would start at the beginning.
My mother and I had car accident when I was three years old. She was severely injured. She had an open fracture of the left arm, and I had a brain concussion. Mom was in the hospital for three years, she had twelve surgeries. I was in the care of my grandparents at that time.
My father found another woman. He wasn't at home much. A few months later, after my mother left the hospital, they got divorced.
My grandfather and I were more connected. I loved coming to his farm, riding horses, and feeding other animals.
My mother has always stood by me, helped me and supported me - through everything.
I felt a lot of guilt about everything: about the accident, parents divorce, and misunderstandings. I didn't feel safe. I rather focused on school and learning. I attended music school (flute), sang in choirs and danced. Later I attended high school for a kindergartner teacher.
I was very introverted, so I hardly connected with other people. My head and inner world were full. I didn't trust almost anyone. I was naive, so it's clear that this behavior didn't produce good results. I was very hard on myself. I wanted to prove that I am good enough. Some people were psychologically abusive to me.
After the high school a very difficult period of my life started. I lost 35 kilos in few months. I had anorexia and lately bulimia too. The battle was really hard. I almost died. I lived in my own world, where self-destructiveness ruled. I attended some recovery programs, where I opened and started to feel the weight of everything that I was pushing away my whole life. I started the process of self-growth. Later, I moved on my own and many new challenges opened.
My mum gave me an amazing example how to serve and love. I got this qualities from her. When she came home from the hospital, we connected on a very strong level. We helped each other in every situation. I was always fascinated by how she had treated other people, she was always ready to help.
Many people were surprised and shocked by her actions. Me too, but her attitude attracted me and I was heartily learning from her. I felt so different because of her special behavior and the values I followed. People judged our relationship and actions. But later, I realized that our actions made sense, because we served others. I am very grateful for my mother to gave me this amazing example of service, love and forgiveness.
When she was in a hospital, she didn't know how long would it last, she was in pain and she was missing her family. She didn't get right support from the closest people. I can't even imagine how hard and intense was this process for her.
GS: So you have a good example in your life – your mother.
Being good is good, but people sometimes take advantage of it and you have to somehow let them know that you will not tolerate everything, otherwise they will continue to abuse and exploit you. Unfortunately, this world is like this and sometimes you have to be tough? But that doesn't mean we should stop being good. We can continue with it. It's interesting your mother was like this. Does she believe in God?
Špela: Yes, somehow. She naturally opened to God, but I think she didn't know she did.
GS: So, she just follows some principles, she feels what is right?
Špela: Yes, yes! Exactly!
GS: When did your personal transformation start: changing life and changing your attitude?
Špela: It started in primary school, after my parents got divorced, with accepting the situation. And then through the battle with eating disorders. I almost died, because my body was exhausted, I was just 39 kilos. My inspiration, singer Maja Keuc, helped me with her support. We had some powerful conversations about life and, after that, I decided that I want to live. From that moment a powerful process of my transformation has started.
The most intense changing began with Bhakti Yoga practice. My world turned around. I saw myself in totally different view – not as I expect to be or as I think that others see me, but as I really am. I started accepting the real me – my nature, advantages, disadvantages, vulnerability. Bhakti Yoga gives me inner peace, love, inspiration, tolerance, connection, understanding, trust, etc. My worldview completely changed. It takes daily work, practice, energy, commitment.
GS: What are your plans for the future?
Špela: I want to follow my intuition and heart, but also use my brain better. I'm going to sing, share my story, teach people about life, help others with what they need, upgrade Bhakti yoga and Reiki practice.
GS: What would be your last message for our readers?
Špela: I remember one amazing quote. One physician once said: »The best medicine for a human is love.« Someone asked: »What if it doesn't work?« He smiled and answered: »Increase the dose!«
***
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