Tralee woman’s Gaisce award
TREKKING through the soaring reaches of the Himalayas and undertaking a tenday silent retreat involving 100 hours of meditation – two parts of an extraordinary spiritual journey by one Kerry woman that were recognised by President Michael D Higgins in a Gaisce award last week.
Tralee native Evelyn Dore –a teacher in Moyderwell Primary School – was honoured among 56 young people under the President’s Gaisce programme for a journey of self-discovery she says has led to untold benefits in her life.
Evelyn’s Gaisce award recognised a recent trip she made to the remote Ladakh region of the Himalaya with her older sister Jenny as well as a ten-day retreat at a meditation centre in Drogheda.
Once curious as to the potential of meditation and silence she is now a convert following the Drogheda retreat.
“It was very tough initially, each day involved getting up at 4am with meditation starting at 4.30am until breakfast at 6am, followed by a number of two-hour meditation periods interspersed with eating and walking, all carried out in silence.
“It was very strange initially not talking at all and not even making eye-contact with the others on the retreat but after three days it felt as if my personality began to peel away and after that I experienced a huge amount of cleansing. I know it can sound strange, but three of my friends are now getting very interested in pursuing meditation having seen how different I’ve become since.”
Evelyn said that the key moment of the experience came in realising that you can still your thoughts entirely.
“I used to think you couldn’t possibly stop thinking, but when I experienced my mind completely still I realised I can do anything. It’s hard to find the time in our busy lives to meditate but I couldn’t recommend it more.
As for trekking in the Himalayas? Not as accessible as a chair in which to meditate but just as sublime in terms of the spirit. “Trekking is one of my favourite things to do and the Ladakh region was simply amazing. Witnessing the scenery and meeting the wonderful locals was tranformative and it was fantastic to get the Gaisce award for it all.”