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Monk Coming To Ridgewood: Only Your Mind Can Make You Happy

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious? A revered Buddhist monk – Bhante Sujatha – is coming to Ridgewood Thursday evening to provide some spiritual advice.

Bhante Sujatha.

Bhante Sujatha.

Photo Credit: Venerable Bhante Sujatha Facebook
Bhante Sujatha is known for his gentle and lighthearted nature as well as his wisdom.

Bhante Sujatha is known for his gentle and lighthearted nature as well as his wisdom.

Photo Credit: Venerable Bhante Sujatha Facebook

The Namaste Organic Spa on Franklin Avenue will host his two-hour workshop, “How to Empower Your Mind.”

“The ancient texts of the Buddha tell us that no external condition can be the cause of our happiness,” said Bhante, a Buddhist monk.

“Only the mind has that ability.”

This is the second time he will present at the spa.

Bhante — a title given to monks in the Theravada tradition — is the abbot of the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center in Woodstock, Illinois.

His talk, which starts at 6:45 p.m., will focus on understanding the mind.

Only when the mind is understood can behavior and feelings be reshaped, explained Bhante, who is known for his gentle nature and lightheartedness.

“It’s the most loving act of service one can do for themselves and the world,” he said.

Marisol Fitzgerald, owner of the spa, met Bhante two years ago when he spoke at Ramapo College in Mahwah.

“I fell in love with him and what he does,” she said.

“I sell some of his beads and his books here. Whenever I can help his babies project, I do.”

Bhante’s Annual Incubator Project provides incubators for newborns in hospitals in his native Sri Lanka.

Previously, Fitzgerald said, babies were simply put on the floor. Many died.

The cost for the workshop is $35. All the proceeds go to the incubator project.

Registrations are being taken through Sunday.

For information on how to register, CLICK HERE.

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