“Pain has a Purpose: From Surviving to Thriving”
Meet Trupti: In her own words…
“I believe that pain has a purpose. The purpose is to guide us to be more connected with ourselves and thus less connected with the demands of world around us.
I believe this is true, because this is my story.
©Amy Boyle Photography
My life began in survival mode. After being smuggled out of Africa at the tender age of 6 months, my life began in Chicago with very few resources. My mother’s mantra was “Work hard and you will survive in life”. With that mantra instilled in my head and a background fear that life could suddenly shift in a moment’s notice, as it did for my parents, I focused on hard work and education.
As I pushed myself to succeed and made my way into medical school, I found myself entering a state of perpetual rushing. I was serving, doing, and pleasing every waking moment. I don’t think I ever gave myself a moment to catch my breath and pause. Survival mode at its best, right?
With this intensity and drive, I developed an incredibly disabling case of insomnia. Nights went by where I laid wide-awake wondering if I would ever sleep again. It was in this moment of desperation that I sought out an alternative solution to solve my woes. Western medications I tried left me feeling tired and uneasy.
©Amy Boyle Photography
I stumbled across textbooks about an ancient healing practice and began practicing the principles on myself. I began to understand the purpose behind the insomnia and the message the universe was giving me to connect with myself. To slow down, breathe and connect with self. Soon enough, I was sleeping soundly again.
This painful cycle of sleep disturbance allowed me to see the truth that life was not to be for for surviving, yet for thriving. After finishing Neurology residency, I found myself being drawn to the patients who suffered with severe headaches. These mysterious attacks of migraines that often left the sufferer incapacitated and wondering why they struggled with such discomfort in life.
As I started caring for patients in pain, I realized the similarity of their story to the story of my struggle with resolving my insomnia. Even though they may have asked for medications to quiet the pain, each patient was seeking the truth behind why they suffered. The cycles of pain, similar to my cycle of insomnia, were a wake-up call to get into alignment of mind-body and spirit. I felt the pull to share the wisdom I had used for myself a decade prior.
©Amy Boyle Photography
Using the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda I helped them see the purpose behind the pain and encouraged them to slowly shift from living life in survival to living life with presence, understanding, and depth. They began to see pain as their friend, not their enemy. As they moved into a mindset of thriving and connection with self, the pain began to dissipate. With this philosophy, I have helped countless individuals shift their perspective of pain and understand the truth behind it.”
*** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Trupti. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 50 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!**
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