Cassie Brzoza

So here I am again… I apologize for the lack of posting however I realized that procrastinating so much on the internet wasn’t helping me settle into my new life in Thailand.

Where to start and fill you in on everything that has happened since my last post? 

I figured I should start off by telling you how my Thai Buddhist healing experience went. I went with Neung, Debbie and our friend Num who is from Nakhon Sawan, about 4 hours north of Bangkok. We arrived there and it was all a big culture shock. Majority had never seen a white person (farang) before so their eyes peered upon us with such curiosity that I suddenly felt embarassed or something. It wasn’t an easy process either. Firstly we had to find this specific Monk and this was not an easy task. After hours of driving around, we were directed to a farm where by the Monk grows his own herbs there for herbal medicine. 

The only background information I was given prior to this was, “He’s very old. 95 years old so bear with him. He is very powerful and the Royal Family visit him and have been blessed by him. Also, don’t be afraid.” - That was pretty much it! Pressure much? 

Anyway, we arrive and he’s not in the farmhouse so his helper who helps him said “He is in the fields, ploughing.” Then I’m thinking “Wait! This guy is 95 years old and he’s busy in a field ploughing? This has to be a joke!” After driving around the fields we finally find him… Ploughing a field with a blue tractor. He see’s the truck that we’re in and he stops in the distance. At first we all just stand there and gawp at him, but then Neung goes over to him, nods with respect and asks him if he would see me and help me. His reply, “You have bought the girl with one kidney? Go and wait in the farmhouse.” How the hell he knows I have one kidney, I have no idea. Neung swears down to me that he has never spoken to him before and that he is just such a higher being that he just knows… I’m skeptical as to be expected.

This 95 year old Monk looks about 50 years old and nothing like I would have expected. The whole experience was kinda weird. It was like visiting the Oracle in the Matrix movies… Very casual in his front room. Obviously we nodded and bowed our heads out of respect and then he just stared. Now I cannot really describe this feeling to you in words but basically he stared right through me and I could feel his stare. He knew all about my condition. Stuff he could never have known cause I haven’t even told Neung or Num about it. Stuff that happens internally that isn’t visible on the outside. I’m turning less sceptical at this point and feeling this amazing energy from his stare.

He spoke Thai so I had to get a translation afterwards and he offered me this herbal drink which had 40 herbs in it. It smelt foul and tasted even worse. He told Neung I would struggle taking the medicine (Thai translation = Yah) and that I would need pushing slightly but eventually it would be ok. 

We leave the farmhouse and I feel as I have been in a dark room with my eyes closed for a long period of time. My eyes feel weird and my head feels light and I feel strange. It’s like I could feel the Monk’s power. Please bear in mind that I’m not really in any way a spiritual person, I have my own personal moments but I’m not some chakra balancing hippy who chats bull. However this guy had an effect on me for sure.

Afterwards, to show my respects I became a Buddhist Nun in a Monastery for a few days. For those who know me quite well, this idea is ridiculous and hilarious. However it turned out to be a lovely experience. It was a very peaceful time for me. No men except other Nuns were allowed to touch me in any way, shape or form. Being on the receiving end of Alms was both humbling and an amazing experience. The Thai people looked shocked yet they smiled as we were respecting their religion and they wished us well.

I started taking the herbal medicine which was foul tasting and very difficult to handle. After the first glass of it I could feel it’s effects. The medicine acts as a detox drink and clears all your organs of toxins, infections and I was obviously clogged up with toxins and all sorts in my body as it affected me in many different ways. It was a very uncomfortable time for the first month or so in taking the medicine. It gave me headaches, made me dizzy and sleepy and have the sweats. Not to mention my stomach rumbled, bloated and did weird things. There was a sort of burning feeling by my kidney. Like someone had rubbed deep heat on my kidney area. Very strange sensation…

This January, after taking the medicine for 2 months I went to see a renal specialist at Bangkok Hospital and see how my kidney function was doing. My kidney function has increased from 21% to 24% and my bladder is feeling better than ever. No more urgency to pass urine and no signs of blood either. :) The Renal Doctor advised that I take the herbal medicine but not so often as sometimes herbal chemical compounds can have an adverse effect on the kidney in the long run, even though right now it appears to be helping it after a long period it could turn the other way. 

So, all in all it was a fantastic experience and one I shall never forget. I am grateful for all the help I have received and those who helped me a long the way. Times like these when I am reminded of how lucky I am in so many ways. I have come such a long way from where I was before and I would never have imagined myself to be living in Thailand during my adulthood. Anything is possible when you put your mind down to it.

Also, as someone who was skeptical before but is no longer so. There was definitely something powerful about that man and I am forever thankful for him helping me.

I’m sorry I haven’t been posting. I promise I will get back on it soon. I just have to think of the words I want to say… *looks for inspiration*

After returning from my mini holiday away to Phuket and Phatthalung etc. I was really happy that Debbie was finally back in Bangkok. For those that don’t know, Debbie is like my sister and I used to live with her in a house in Manchester. The last time I came to Thailand I came traveling with my best friend Dan and we met up with two of our old housemates, Nancy and Debbie so all together we’re a proper family and have had some great times and hold a lot of good memories together. 

Dan, Nancy and Debbie were all in India whilst I went to Thailand as I wanted to come straight here instead. So I was pretty alone in Thailand, I had Neung of course but he works an awful lot. Anyways, Debbie’s Indian visa eventually ran out and she was supposed to go back home to the UK and finish her travels after a year and a bit of travelling. However she had no real desire to go back so I suggested she should come back to Bangkok. And lo and behold… There she was waiting for me when I got back from Phatthalung! I was really happy to see her and she looked really radiant and tanned from the sun. I spent a really good couple of days with her having girly chats and it was really nice to have someone on such a close level to me to talk to.

I forgot to mention in my last text post that after Phatthalung, Neung and I paid a visit to Ban Krut beach which is half way between Phuket and Bangkok as it meant we could break down and bus journey time and enjoy the time left on Neung’s annual leave. Ban Krut is a beautiful quiet area with hardly any tourists, most tourists were actually Thai. The beaches were lovely but the sea was rough due to it being windy season so not many were on the beach. I got sun burnt in the space of about 20 minutes! Hurrah for being pale and ginger! Not! 

Anyways we headed back to Bangkok and Neung got a phone call off Debbie saying she was in the area! For those who don’t know, Debbie is one of my very good friends and she had been in India for the past 3 months and was living in Bangkok before that but used to live with me in Manchester, UK. Complicated I know but basically she’s like a sister to me! Literally spent day and night with her the first few days as it was good to see her and have a good catch up! Have missed that girl! Pictures to follow…