29 June, 2013

When It Goes Dead Wrong

Recently, I went to the airport, and being in the last part of the plane, ended up having to check my  carry-on at the aircraft door. I did not throw a fit, just explained that it was a tight connection, so I would not have enough time to get my luggage before my connecting flight. I hand the women my boarding pass with my final destination, because I saw this coming on when our plane announced it was leaving late. I had gone to the counter to see if I can make my connecting flight and was given the other boarding pass. All this was done with a calm and polite manner not with any threats or disgust.

Sure enough upon arriving no luggage appeared and I watched a few people in my family get out of sorts...I used to be that person. I kept reflecting that if this is the worse thing I encounter this day, I will be so lucky. Then, I overheard another woman who lost luggage and not only did it have her medications in it, she was leaving for a cruise the following day. She also was calm in her approach but her daughter with her to pick her up was getting bent out of shape. Of course,  I watched the mind throw fear of losing the important papers and gifts inside my unlocked bag, I immediately went to the wisdom of not knowing until it is concretely resolved. The fear was experienced and let go of.
I could see first hand how a situation like war gets started, and the personal at this end had nothing to do with the mistakes or errors. One is so quick to share their gifts of anger and disappointment with others, and yet when things are good they think they deserve it and don't share the best. Last week I having a good couple of days, and made the decision to bring fresh chocolate chip cookies to personal at my gym, knowing they have to deal with displeasure often. At my acupuncture clinic, who provide me with a discounted day to get a treatment,  I found that their toilet was leaking, bought the part and fixed it for then free, saving them a $100 dollar plumbing call. I know my time is limited for this life and these small gestures will plant a seed of happiness in someone for them to share. Isn't that what we want to experience? 
Oh, by the way the airline on the phone this morning inquiring about the lost piece and they said they will deliver the luggage to the house, saving me gas and an hour drive if I can be patient and wait until later. I said, "Sure and Thanks so much."

13 June, 2013

Sitting Wisdom, Puts Out a Fire


Overheard... a handsome young man talking about his first Vipassana experience to fellow meditators on the 10th day when silence ends... “I found out... I am less important than I thought.

11 June, 2013

Do We Always Have to Sell Ourselves to Others?


I was talking to a stranger in a coffee shop, lately and came to the realization I was trying to sell myself…early in the conversation. Trying to get him to find something interesting enough in me, to continue talking. This was not a beauty contest nor was he a love interest that would spin this into a whole separate problem. I just wanted to give him a teaser as to the man behind the fucked up voice. At least the fact that he was a Vipassana meditator made it a whole lot easier. I was thinking while talking to him, that what we all really need is to shut up and feel each other’s intent coming from our heart. Our heart will tell us where to go with this anyway. Let’s all let the silence not disarm us but instead inform us as to the full capabilities of the mind/body spirit.  Perhaps a satisfaction beyond what anything most of us has experienced in the past. You can recall a child before he was told what everything, and fed with tons of fears would get a glow of intense curiosity just seeing a new person. 
Most of us walk into every situation with a face forward, one-dimensional approach throwing away ¾ of the feedback our mind/body is able to perceive all around us.  With check-list of everything we require at the moment, which is so specially targeted to our moods and past disappointments in life. This sets up a high potential to fail instantaneously if any expression or word is not to our liking. It is desire that screws everything up, first and foremost.


That will mean that we almost have to shut-up or least I think I should more often. You are your own master. Maybe that alone will naturally let compassion flow easier once we open all avenues for feedback that we are capable of. Truly, get to understand the world and our connection with others.


23 May, 2013

Beauty Found in Observing


I will sit again in a ten-day Vipassana soon, and often people ask me what is my goal, “This time?” The people that ask this are not meditators, so I often don’t know how to answer in a way they can understand. I really enjoy not doing, and the relaxation of all that tempts you to not to be quiet.





Just observe my photos for a few seconds.
What do they first trigger in your brain before a story hits…a feeling? …a memory? ...a desire, perhaps? These photos only represent to you, what you deem is important. Then come up with a guess about the story around each one, if you like. You are your own master. You know the first thing that comes up as a feeling will probably determine the story.






Just like when I meditate I observe any feeling, thought or image while my body can give feedback as to the value I place on each, at that time. The brain/body connection can its work their magic when I either present a relaxation or tightening around each. I don’t have to do anything but observe, 
like you are doing now(double-click to enlarge).



18 May, 2013

Wisdom, Caught Me Blaming

A Galle Sweep
When I wrote Trusting Again ...to Resolve Old Issues, I wove my father’s influence into the story, when in fact the whole experience had nothing to do with the past. It may have made it interesting, but it was made up as far as his influence, but not what occurred. He never came up, and although I learned some of my reactions from him this was about as far removed from anything he said or did. Instead of just living things as they are, and learning from them… I deflected. Of course, one of the precepts addressing false speech combined with my natural wisdom, it began to feel like I need to address this before moving on. Blaming others, will never produce the wisdom I so desire, so this was announcing its ignorance in a kind of achy way. Ironically, that is when I came upon a great Dalai Lama quote, “When you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.” Perhaps, I was ready to listen. 


Siddharta
shows me his Yoga moves

 Hopefully, I can now proceed with the wisdom that everything that I encounter and thus experience is my own doing. In the case of that Tuk-Tuk driver, I ignored early signs that he was not truthful hoping for a local connection while there that could help me with my decision to buy or not. He did serve a purpose to steer me away from buying there and for this I am grateful, but it certainly was not his intention. As we travel through life regardless of how many family members and friends we have we are really solo... and at times it can be more pronounced. So, I ought to use that time to really feel things out and let the wisdom naturally come to the surface. Any sadness I had about the outcome was first built around pity for him and then feeling alone again with my decision. This probably led me to blame. Still running for that wisdom bus.


Bambi Bus

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