My Journey towards Buddhism…
A quiet moment at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy: a monk tied a Say Sin prayer string on our wrists and placed sacred mud at our third eye — no mud, no lotus. The blessing felt grounding and simple, a reminder to carry intention with each step. Of course Scarlett found a kitty. :)
In January 2010, I set off on what would become one of the most life-changing journeys of my life. After nearly 36 hours of travel, I arrived in Sri Lanka to visit my one of my best friends, Scarlett, who had returned there for work and exploring during the winter of 2009–2010.
From the moment I arrived, something felt different—slower, deeper, more alive.
Helga’s Folly & First Impressions of Sri Lanka
We stayed at the most magical and dreamlike hotel, Helga’s Folly in Kandy—surrounded by monkeys, dense jungle, and an energy that’s hard to put into words. Helga’s Folly isn’t just a hotel; it’s an experience. I truly recommend looking it up to understand its eccentric beauty.
Although I never met the legendary Helga herself, Scarlett—who is there now on her fourth or 5th visit calls her friend and admires her like a Mother. Scarlett spent time there painting and observing the details of the wonderful and magical Anti Hotel! Another one of our good friends Isak has also been a resident artist there and completely changed the front of the house painting into the magic it is now. Being in that space felt like being welcomed into a story already in motion. A dream I was meant to have
Fore more info onHelga’s Folly https://www.helgasfolly.com
The Temple of the Tooth: A Spiritual Awakening
From Helga’s Folly, it was a short drive to The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy—one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.
The temple was filled with locals lighting incense, praying, and making offerings. Monks moved quietly through the space, offering blessings known as “Say Sin”—a sacred prayer where a red and yellow string is tied around the wrist while blessings are chanted.
Scarlett, always the adventurous one, knew that if we wanted a higher monk’s blessing, we should look for the security guards. They led us to a nearby residence, where we were welcomed inside.
The monk had the kindest eyes. As he chanted, he tied the prayer string around my wrist and gently pressed a clay fingerprint onto my third eye.
In that moment, my entire body lit up with energy. I felt at home, deeply loved, and completely at peace. There was no doubt in my mind—I had just experienced something profound and life-changing.
Tea Country, the Coast & Buduruwagala
From Kandy, we traveled through the misty tea country in the mountains, eventually making our way toward the southern coast. Along the way, we unexpectedly came upon Buduruwagala, an ancient rock temple dating back to the 9th or 10th century.
Carved directly into a massive cliff face are seven Buddhist figures, the largest standing 51 feet tall, making it the tallest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka.
As I walked toward the statues, every hair on my body stood on end. The same wave of energy I felt at the Temple of the Tooth washed over me again—powerful, grounding, and unmistakably familiar.
A Conversation That Changed Everything
After spending time in the beach town of Mirissa, my travel partner and I said goodbye to Scarlett and began our journey back toward the airport. We made one final stop at another temple—its name escapes me now, but the conversation I had there will stay with me forever.
I spoke with a monk who gently explained that Buddhism is a philosophy, not something that requires abandoning one’s religion. He shared that he had many friends who were Christian Buddhists and emphasized that Buddhism teaches deep respect for all belief systems.
That conversation sealed it for me. This was the true COEXIST I was looking for.
So many of Buddhism’s teachings mirror truths found across spiritual traditions—compassion, mindfulness, non-attachment, and loving kindness. That understanding opened something in me that has continued to unfold ever since.
Bringing the Teachings Home
After returning home, I immersed myself in studying Buddha’s teachings and exploring how to apply them to daily life.
In 2013 I opened the first yoga studio on Tybee Island, and since then I’ve continued weaving Buddhist philosophy into my spiritual journey. Yoga became one of the primary ways I share this wisdom—not as doctrine, but as lived experience. Never ever forcing my views on anyone.
To me, yoga is an invitation: to slow down, to observe, to soften, and to come home to yourself.
Thank you for being part of that journey with me.
And thank you, Scarlett, for sharing your hideaway with me on the other side of the world. Hoping to join you there again some day! xoxo