About The Author

David Vennells is an established writer and complementary therapist, living in West Yorkshire, England. He has been practicing natural healing techniques, including Reiki, Reflexology and Bach Flower Remedies, for over fifteen years. He originally qualified and worked as a surveyor, then pursued a change in career and life-style following a long-term illness.

‘It is funny how life takes us in unexpected directions, may be we have an idea of how we would like our life to be but sometimes life has other plans for us! Here is a little of my own story and how I came to be interested in natural healing, meditation and Buddhism.

In 1989 at the age of 22 I contracted glandular fever whilst at university, it is a common illness amongst students. My symptoms were quite severe but I wasn’t particularly worried as I expected, like all my previous colds and viruses, I would easily recover. However after six months of continuous flu-like symptoms I finally received a diagnosis of M.E. or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. M.E. can be an incredibly debilitating disease and for a young man on the verge of physical, emotional and financial independence this was a huge challenge to face. I struggled through my final year at university, putting the little energy I had into my studies, but feeling all the time swamped by more and more work and less and less energy. I seemed to spend my whole time either sleeping or studying. Finally I gave in to the illness and stopped studying about two months before my final exams knowing that it was impossible to continue.

I was so ill that my parents had to look after me, I couldn’t shop or cook and often I couldn’t get downstairs, they would even wash my hair when my arms were too weak. All this was too much of a challenge and after two years I entered a period of depression. I felt like my life had been completely destroyed by my illness, which was not improving, it seemed like I was in an unending prison. During the darkest time, although I cannot exactly remember when, there must have been a turning point. For some reason I started to feel that if doctors couldn’t help then I needed to do something for myself, I needed to search for something that would improve my mental and physical condition. At the same time I knew I had to just accept where I was, let go of all my pre-illness plans and relax in to the idea that getting well was going to be a long term project. I think this final combination of acceptance and self empowerment was the beginning of a new life.

Looking back the years of serious illness were a difficult but wonderfully transforming time for me. I think it was a time of letting go of a life that was not going in the right direction. I was forced to take responsibility for my own health and look closely at my attitude towards life. Through my own study and experience I developed a good knowledge of natural healing techniques. I found Reiki, Reflexology, Homeopathy and the Bach Flower Remedies to be particularly helpful for my physical and mental symptoms. I was also fascinated by books explaining the eastern approaches to healing, about karma, life force energy (chi/ki) and how we can improve our health and happiness through meditation, good diet and energy exercises like yoga, tai chi and chi gung. I felt completely at home with all these ideas and philosophies, finally I felt I was discovering my path in life.

The search for outer healing also led me towards a search for a more spiritual approach to life. I learned that there is a deep connection between our inner and outer world. If our outer way of life is taking us away from our spiritual nature sooner or later we will have to change our way of life or become physically or mentally ill.

After a few months of this new way of life there was a definite improvement in my health and after a year my physical and mental health had much improved. Although I could not run a marathon I was able to enjoy light exercise, I could drive and read and study and shop and look after myself and enjoy a completely independent life. So in this sense I felt my search for healing had been successful.

But the external changes were not the main changes and I think they came about partly because of some internal changes. Although I experience the normal ups and downs of everyday life I often feel more peaceful, relaxed and happy than ever. Sometimes I feel that I am very slowly coming to understand myself and life, why we are here and what our potential is. The things that I am beginning to experience and discover now are a direct result of my illness. Without my illness my life would have been more superficial and shallow, without direction or meaning. I may have had more material wealth but probably much less contentment and inner peace.

Buddha said ‘illness has many good qualities’, when I first heard this I had strong reservations but now I agree completely! Being ill, like any great challenge or adversity, stops our life, it makes us think and often forces us to look at ourself and our life in a new light. It also helps us to understand others, which can lead to empathy and compassion. Adversity can also reduce our pride and sense of self importance and make us much more open to our potential for inner growth and receiving the wisdom and blessings of the universe, whatever our religion.

Shortly after my illness began to improve a friend told me of a Buddhist meditation centre in the North of England called Manjushri Centre (www.manjushri.org). I went to visit in order to learn a little more about meditation and simply to have a weekend out of the city where I lived. This was the beginning of a fascinating journey which has taken over my life! Studying Buddha’s teachings and practicing meditation has helped me to gain a clearer and deeper understanding of how we can use our mind to cure and prevent illness or at least make it a more meaningful experience. I found the Buddhist explanations of the cause and cure of disease, the nature of the mind and the path to true freedom and happiness to be very practical and of great benefit to me as a healer and simply as someone interested in being happy! One of the special aspects of Buddhism is that it can be practiced on many levels. You can immediately use those teachings and meditation techniques that are directly applicable to your life. Then if you feel that you are ready for something more you can investigate the more profound aspects of the spiritual path that eventually lead to realizing our full human potential for liberation and enlightenment.

Whilst writing my most recent book ‘Everything is a Blessing’, which is mainly about transforming the challenges of life, I have had more health problems which are still ongoing. In fact whilst writing this book my life has fallen apart again, I have had to give up teaching and studying and working, a long-term relationship came to an end and my body has been uncomfortable with illness. But things are much different now than the first time around, now I know that if I try hard and don’t worry too much I can accept and transform difficulties into opportunities. The days when we have the wisdom and the drive to see ‘everything as a blessing’ are always the most rewarding and satisfying.

In some ways people who have an easy life are the most unfortunate, they never have the challenges that we need to grow, they never need to reach down inside themselves to find the new qualities and strengths needed to survive and flourish in a challenging world. There is no doubt that there is something special in all of us, and sometimes it needs something life-changing and even life-threatening to shatter our complacency and give us a glimpse of what we can be.

The true meaning of healing is much more than just promoting good physical health. Letting go of your worries, trusting in a positive outlook, directing your life towards benefiting others and improving and understanding yourself is the path to inner peace. Developing our inner qualities also encourages good health and guarantees a happy life, without this approach good physical health is almost meaningless. The opportunity to become a better person is with us every day. We always have a chance to start again whatever has happened to us or whatever way we have lived our life. It is your choice who you choose to be.

Many thanks for taking an interest in these books I hope you find some useful ideas, encouragement and practical help to make your life healthier, happier and more fulfilling.

Wishing you good health and happiness’.
David Vennells.

For a more detailed account of the authors story read ‘Everything is a Blessing’

Find out about Meditation and Buddhism
www.kadampa.org