Protection for Life

After driving for an hour in endless Bangkok traffic, in what seemed like circles, we turn down a tiny street on the outskirts of Bangkok, not much bigger than an alley. We came upon what looked like a garage, with chairs, and a little shrine outside. This was the place, the world known Arjan Neng’s studio. He is a spiritual Sak Yant tattoo master.  We entered his little studio and bowed to his shrine of Buddhist divinities. A lady came out and greeted us. I couldn’t understand what she was saying. Thankfully, we fought Alex with us. He speaks Pali Sanskrit. He told her we were interested in a tattoo for me. She told us to have a seat that the Arjan was working on someone’s tattoo. There was another couple already sitting outside as well. The guy looked quite nervous. They were looking at a photo book. We sat and were handed another book to look at. Here were so many designs. Which was right for me? All I knew is I wanted a small tattoo. All of these were so large. I also needed something that had meaning pertaining to my current situation. Did they have one for someone who basically ran away from home to try and confront her recent past so that she could finally move forward?

Sakai knew what I needed, one with protection he said. He had Alex ask the lady if we could consult with the Arjan. She went in and asked, coming back and saying he needed to know the situation. Alex explained. A few minutes later the lady came back with another book. In that one, I kept pointing to different photos with a similar design. Sakai said I had found the one. We asked what it meant. Alex translated what the lady said, that it was indeed for protection. This was it. Was I really going to do this? I was terrified. Sakai and Alex just smiled and told me to do what my heart was telling me. Sakai said he would be with me for the entire process, but that he could not hold my hand as I had asked him to promise he would.

My legs were shaking when one guy came outside from the studio, and had the three of us (and the other guy who was also waiting with his girlfriend) come inside to the Arjan’s studio and sit before the Gods, offering up prayers and thanks to their protective powers. Then they had us all go back outside. I was given 9 lit incense sticks and was told to stand in front a statue of Ganesh, Remover of Obstacles, and offered him the sandalwood sticks.

Then we were led inside and told to sit. There was an offering plate already assembled with marigolds and candles for me to hold to Ajarn Neng to bless, and I added my own “donation” of Thai Baht to the offering plate. As Ajarn Neng held his hands down to receive the offering and I kept my arms outstretched at crown chakra height, we both held the offering while he said a quiet prayer to bless this ritual.
I was then told to sit with my back towards the Arjan and wrap my arms around my knees. The Arjan drew a picture of what I wanted and showed it to us. Sakai nodded and told me that it was perfect. My entire body was shaking. Two men sat on either side of me , told me to bend forward, and stretched the skin on my left shoulder blade. Just before we began Arjan Neng whispered in my ear “Repeat the mantra ‘Soh Yathra’ as I tattoo”. This was to put me in a meditative state. Despite the very long bamboo stick being jabbed into my skin repeatedly, I tried my best to not say “oh fuck” as I thought that might not be respectful? I tried to concentrate on what I was supposed to be chanting but it hurt and I kept tensing up. It felt like each time I relaxed he was gentle, and when tensed he went even harder. I asked if we were almost finished several times. Each time, Sakai would say no, and the Arjan would laugh and say, almost finished. What seemed to be forever, was actually only maybe 10 minutes. Later, Sakai would tell me that normally when Arjan Neng senses you are in pain, he backs off and is more gentle with the bamboo. However, not in my case. Each time I tensed, he went harder. Why? Because my tattoo had to show me that I can endure the most painful situations and come through them on the other side. That is the protection I was given.
When the tattooing was complete I was to remain sitting in a cross legged/ lotus position on the ground in front of Ajarn Neng so he could bless my Yantra tattoo with holy water and to say a prayer to seal in the sacred energy created through the ritual.
As it was all over, I turned around to face the Ajarn, brought my hands to heart center and bowed to him in thanks for the sacred ink he had blessed me with. As I got up to leave he handed me a card with a special manta on it for me to repeat 3 times every morning when I wake to keep the sacred tattoos energy alive.