Minnesota, USA — A significant interview with Jampa T Ritzekura, who was suffering from mental health problems and overcame with the help of Mingyur Rinpoche’s breathing meditation and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. “If I can overcome my mental illness so can you. So never lose Hope and don’t give up whatever struggles you are going through in your own life”, said Jampa.
TPI: Can you please give us a short introduction of yourself?
Interviewee: My name is Jampa T Ritzekura and I was born in Hunsur, Tibetan settlement in south India. I moved to Minnesota in the US with my parents at the age ten. Thanks to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s blessings and hard work for our Tibetan people. I have been living in Minnesota now for the past 26 years and currently 36 years old. Right now, I work at Adult Psych Clinic at Hennepin Healthcare hospital as a patient service coordinator.
TPI: What were the causes of you going through these unbearable situations mentally and physically?
Jampa: Ten years ago, at the age of 26, I started having some new struggles of symptoms. At the time I didn’t know what was the symptom, but later I found out it was my mental illness. My mind started racing all over the place and I had lots of thoughts in my mind at once. I started getting anxious and had panic attacks. My mental symptoms continued for a few months and then one day I lost hope and almost ended up taking my own life. My mind told me to set myself free and give up. In my mind, I said goodbye to the world and my family.
TPI: How did you overcome depression?
Jampa: Then I got a second chance at life and hope. A good friend of mine, Sherab recommended me to Mingyur Rinpoche’s breathing meditation on YouTube. I started watching and learned how to meditate. I also listened to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s speeches of wisdom on YouTube. I practiced meditation everyday and the mental stress started to decrease. I also read books by His Holiness, ‘The Art of Happiness’ and Mingyur Rinpoche’s ‘The Joy of living’. My current situation is great and looking back on the past, I truly believe my mental illness struggle was my best gift because it gave me the opportunity to learn and grow from it. So now I can share with others that, “If I can overcome my mental illness so can you. So never lose Hope and don’t give up whatever struggles you are going through in your own life”.
TPI: Can you specify the techniques of how you overcome this mentally exhausting situation?
Jampa: I practiced compassion and practiced teachings of His Holiness and started giving food to birds. I also practiced secular ethics and started seeing everyone as one equal Humanity Family. Which helped my mind build trust with others and made my mind calm. It has been ten years now and I am totally cured from my mental health problems. I didn’t see any psychiatrist doctor and didn’t take any medication. My medication was the practice of meditation and words of wisdom from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
TPI: What are the purposes of writing this book called ‘Transformation of Mind & Life’?
Jampa: I decided to write the rough draft of the book three years ago, in order to share my experiences with others. Few months ago, I finished editing my writing and named the book Transformation of Mind & Life. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Mingyur Rinpoche inspired me to write my book because of their service to others through practice of compassion. I truly believe those who read my book can get some inspiration and hope. Because if I can overcome my mental illness and gain hope so can the others. I have also shared how to meditate and some of my practices of how I use compassion on a daily basis. Which can benefit lots of people, whether you are going through mental illness or not. my book can be find on Amazon if anyone interested to buy it, Thank you.
