Free Buddhist Audio Touching the void, a catastrophic fall into heart
Feb 15, 2025
A personal journey unfolds as Vajrin recounts a catastrophic cycling accident in New Zealand, resulting in paralysis and a deep confrontation with suffering. He shares the emotional turmoil and life lessons learned through adversity, highlighting resilience and personal growth. The exploration of Buddhist concepts like emptiness leads to insights about existence beyond attachment. His reflections reveal a transformative shift from despair to gratitude, illustrating the healing power of meditation and mindfulness during recovery.
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Catastrophic Fall On Tour Aotearoa
- Vajrin describes a 20-metre fall during his Tour Aotearoa cycle that left him paralysed below the chest after a T45 fracture and subluxation.
- He recounts the rescue, helicopter transfer and the immediate realization of paralysis while still conscious at the scene.
Locked Down In New Zealand After Surgery
- After emergency surgery at Middlemore, Vajrin faced months stranded in New Zealand due to COVID-19 and learned he had permanent loss of leg function.
- He later developed further neurology requiring multiple additional operations and long-term medical care.
Neurosurgeon’s Dream Led To Breakthrough
- At Salisbury and later St George's, a rare ascending myelopathy developed and Professor Papadopoulos used an insight from a dream to guide surgery to untether the cord.
- The dream-informed surgery initially resolved the odd arm symptoms and swelling by restoring CSF flow.
