By Denise Ermes

I am filled with gratitude as I write this article to share my story with you. My name is Denise, and you may recall me from a GoFundMe campaign earlier this year. Six months after embarking on Hridaya Yoga Retreat: Module 1 in Mazunte, Mexico, I find myself at Hridaya France to complete the course. The love and support I’ve experienced here have allowed me space to process my recent journey. Now, I feel ready to share about my near-death experience.

Before my journey to Mexico, I was already on the yogic path, having practiced yoga for a decade. Three years ago, I made the bold decision to leave my office job and commit to teaching yoga full-time. During this journey, the call to attend a retreat at Hridaya became unmistakable, leading me to book my flight.

The Life-Altering Moment

On April 23, the second Sunday of Module 1, I had the opportunity to participate in the ancient kriya (purification technique) called shanka prakshalana. After I had ingested my thirteenth glass of salty water, I had to vomit, and I rushed out of the yoga hall. What followed was an experience of excruciating pain and breathlessness, as the water expelled from my body with tremendous pressure.

A Web of Angels

I was taken to a hospital in Puerto Escondido, where doctors discovered that I had a rare case of Boerhaave syndrome, an esophageal rupture. This condition caused stomach acids to flow into my chest cavity, resulting in a hole in my left lung. At the hospital, there was no surgeon available to operate on my esophagus. However, a doctor who should have been on a plane to Mexico City was still in town due to a flight delay. Upon seeing my CT scan images, he immediately decided to perform the surgery. I was told that my unwavering trust during this process was remarkable.

My Journey through Coma

Following the surgery, I entered a coma and was placed on life support, my life still hanging in the balance. Unfortunately, the clinic lacked the necessary resources to continue my treatment. To receive life-saving care, I had to be transported to a major hospital in Mexico City, a daunting challenge since I didn’t have international health insurance. The tireless efforts of angels in the Netherlands made this possible.

Coma Revelations

My experiences while in a coma were profoundly mystical and captivating. There were moments when I regained consciousness, saying, “Wow, I was just meditating with you guys in the yoga hall.” During my coma, the words “keep fighting, go on” resounded continuously as a mantra. I saw a black circle of energy that felt like a congregation of beings sending me encouragement to persevere. (I heard all your prayers!) I knew, even in a coma, that giving up would lead to my demise.

While in a coma, I had lucidity and the ability to choose my focus. I could either remain on a superficial mental level or dive deeper into Divine Presence. This loving presence became my anchor and carried me through the darkest moments.

The Journey Back Home

Finally, I was transported to Mexico City, where I remained in a coma for an additional two weeks. Upon awakening from the coma, I anxiously awaited the day an airplane would come to take me back to the Erasmus Medical Center in my hometown—an event that filled me with immense joy. On June 15, I was sent home with a drain, and on June 21, I received the green light to resume eating a regular diet. It was fantastic news! The drain was eventually removed on July 26, and the very same evening, I resumed teaching yoga. It truly felt like the day I reclaimed my life. The recovery journey was fascinating, involving relearning how to sit and walk. My positive attitude played a pivotal role in this process.

A Profound Transformation

This experience has left me feeling like I’ve shed a significant amount of karma. My inner voice has completely transformed and is now much more serene. I am overflowing with gratitude for the gift of life and for my body, which fought so valiantly to keep me on this Earth. I vividly remember standing on my balcony, shedding tears of gratitude to Brahman for allowing me to savor the beauty of life’s experiences once again.

Sharing My Story

Recently, I had the privilege of sharing my story with the sangha here in France. This free and heartfelt sharing was incredibly liberating and enlightening! I feel so supported by Hridaya, and I’m delighted to share that my Hridaya journey continues—I’ve been granted a scholarship for the Hridaya Teacher Training Course in 2024!

A Call for Support

I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who supported me during my critical condition. Due to the medical expenses incurred, I still have a medical debt of €50,000 to settle. While this sum pales in comparison to the value of my life, I humbly request your assistance. Any contribution, regardless of its amount, would be greatly appreciated and immensely supportive. If you are able to offer any assistance, please visit the GoFundMe page.

I look forward to seeing you soon at Hridaya!
Sending you boundless love,
Denise

Please feel free to reach out to me anytime:

Email: denise@positivitycompany.nl
Website: www.positivitycompany.nl