Ayura Marilynette

From Pain to Power

Hi, I’m Ayura,

Well, it wasn’t always Ayura. I chose this name after a lucid dream, where I saw it written in vibrant flames deep within the abyss. Changing my name from Shannon to Ayura represented a shift in my internal world as I began to heal. Ayura is my Spirit name, and it means Infinite Love—the love I learned to have for myself. Shannon, however, means Wise One, and through my challenges, I gained wisdom and lessons that helped me grow.

When I was 27 (a decade ago now), I met a man named Aaron, who became my best friend. After 2.5 years into our friendship, unfortunately, Aaron’s life was cut short when he tragically took his own life, overwhelmed by the turmoil of life and the pain of a rough upbringing.

Aaron was like a brother to me. He always looked out for my best interests and gave me the tough love I needed, helping me stay away from people who would hurt me. His passing, however, shattered my heart in ways I never thought I could recover from.

Before he passed, I had just started choosing myself. I was pursuing aerial silks, getting into fitness, taking singing lessons, and attending acting classes. But after losing Aaron, I gave it all up. I didn’t care anymore. I lost my drive, chose a boyfriend who didn’t value me, and drowned in partying, drugs, and reckless behavior. I surrounded myself with people who didn’t have my best interests at heart, and I was terrified to ever pursue my passions again.

The struggle was real, and I lost a lot. But through it all, I slowly found my way back to myself. It wasn’t until I experienced a spiritual awakening, a moment where I was dragged into the depths of my own pain, that I realized there had to be more to life. I couldn’t stay lost forever.

That’s when my healing journey began. I turned to meditation, journaling, somatic movement and dance, and singing again. I discovered my gift as an energy healer, working to heal my own heart and understanding the body’s nervous system. I learned how to shift fear and pain from the body and realign with inner peace, safety, and love.

It feels surreal to have come across the 20 Hours for 20 Talk campaign. I felt an immediate pull and was overcome with tears. I saw the connection between my journey of loss through suicide and how I turned my life around. My story is a testament to the possibility of transformation, and I share it in the hope that others will find the strength to do the same. Hope is never truly lost—we just have to dig deep to find it. And like all good things, healing takes time and hard work, but in the end, it’s worth it.

You are worth saving.