Testimony Five | zencowboy

Carla Miller

Two years ago I started driving by Earth Spirit Center for Healing on the way to drop my son off at school and would say to myself, “I wonder what that is?” At the time I was not in a great place in my life: my Dad had just passed away, my marriage was a joke, and I was 100 lbs overweight.

Fast forward to October 2017, I finally said, “Screw it! I’m going to stop into ESC and see what it is about!” Immediately I noticed that there was so much peace and tranquility in the center. I had to find out more. Very fortunate for me Alaric was just coming out of session and I got to meet him that day. Immediately I felt his peace and calm, and that is when I knew I was in the right place and believed with his help, I could become a better person and find my true self.

Fast forward to today writing this testimony, I have been attending the center regularly since October and, 6 months later, I feel such a peace and calm that has come into my life. I truly am grateful for Alaric and all of his teachings. I feel blessed every time I see him and remember back to when I first attended his class. My thoughts were, “Why are they all in robes, why is he so young, and what the hell is this?” He made me laugh in that first class and was able to walk me through what it is that he does. Basically, it is about Peace and finding the Peace in yourself so we can then, in turn, give it to others who are receptive of it.

Presently, I meditate 3-4 times a day, journal every day, and I believe that everything is always working out for me—meaning that I find the wisdom in all experiences. I read Alaric’s Living Peace book and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of Buddha's Teachings daily, which really help me see the way. Now I know I have so much more work to do, but I am in such a better place today because of Alaric. I can’t remember the last time I was angry with someone. I have filed for divorce—great thing—lost 60 lbs, still working on those last 40, and have realized that we don’t die, we transcend, and my Dad is always with me.

One thing I’d like pass on to all new students is the importance of doing the work and meditating. If you follow Alaric’s teachings, do the homework, and take to heart the personal feedback he gives you, you will see results quickly. I speak from experience, and I now wake up with joy in my heart and soul every day.

If I can give any words of advice to anyone who is seeking help, Alaric is your Zen teacher to turn to. His beautiful spirit, his kind words, and telling it like it is all the time in a very mindful way is the beauty of him and the center. I challenge anyone who wants to heal from the inside out to give it a try, what do you have to lose. He will truly be missed by us here in Arizona, but I am aware that change is the only constant, and we only move forward. Blessings to him and his husband Andrew, I know they will do amazing things in Colorado!

I give you love even many miles away… Carla