Bumpy bless-ed ride
Above an ocean of Peace
The Journey begins
Some of my best practice occurs on airplanes. When the plane shook hard--so hard that the passengers collectively gasped, the water in my hand spilled all over my neighbors tray table, and the girl two seats over looked at me with eyes full of tears--it helped me to imagine a protective force-field, built of punna (merit), around the plane. I saw the collective energy of all the past good deeds of every passenger, projected out in front of the plane and around its wings breaking the wind and smoothing out our sky path. I find this to be a skillful fabrication as it generates connection and compassion while also acting as a coping mechanism and because it eventually takes one beyond the fear.
I turned to metta practice and to my constant companion, the breath. There is less room for fear and clinging when the heart is fully engaged and the mind is focused. I also decided this time that I would turn toward the fear by chanting the "five subjects for frequent recollection" (a standard chant in the Theravada tradition whereby one acknowledges the inevitability of aging, illness, death, separation and causality as a governing principle). There was something calming about the honesty. It seemed to silence the debate between denial and fear. Further, I contemplated my connections and relationships. This was facilitated greatly by a card that Amanda sent me away with...one full of support, inspiration, kindness and love. I was able to rest easier in the knowledge that I had affected and had been affected by others in a positive way. I really felt in the following moments that whatever happened would be OK.
Reflecting and practicing in these ways, I settled into a kind of contented, though exhausted, peace of mind. I thank everyone who has provided me with the raw material out of which to construct such images and reflections. I have much more to say, but have to get going back to the airport so that I can leave South Korea and head to India. If all goes according to plan, I'll be in Delhi this evening and on a train to Gorakhpur tonight...but, as anyone who has been there knows, India is the land of "screw your plans"...so we'll see what happens.
Be good and be well my friends.
Reflecting and practicing in these ways, I settled into a kind of contented, though exhausted, peace of mind. I thank everyone who has provided me with the raw material out of which to construct such images and reflections. I have much more to say, but have to get going back to the airport so that I can leave South Korea and head to India. If all goes according to plan, I'll be in Delhi this evening and on a train to Gorakhpur tonight...but, as anyone who has been there knows, India is the land of "screw your plans"...so we'll see what happens.
Be good and be well my friends.
Grounded in the sky.
ReplyDeleteBreathing in and breathing out.
Ocean of merit.
Reading this brings me back to your last trip and how I would anxiously await your posts. To know how you were, what you were thinking. Reading this fills me with a happy warmth and lovely nostalgia. I will use it whenever I fly next since I have horrible Anxiety when I do. I am always that girl in tears, even when it is uncalled for. I hope you are enjoying your time and gaining even more wonderful memories than last time.
ReplyDeleteI got a new piano for Christmas. The musical inspiration that came with a new instrument made me think of you by the way.
I'm so happy to hear from you Erin. It makes me feel special that you take the time to read along. I am also stoked to hear any new creations that you are willing to share from your spiffy new piano.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful haiku sweet one. You are an artist and a scholar :)
ReplyDeleteMan, that's a great practice - to 'see the collective energy of all the past good deeds of every passenger.' I'm excited to start practicing that.
ReplyDeleteI tend to view turbulence as the best roller-coaster ride you can ever go on. It tickles my tummy more tangibly than it terrifies me.
But I don't travel without making sure to tie up as many loose strings [in my life] as possible, before I leave; that way all my last goodbyes are worthy. So I'm pretty regret-immune up there. "I did what I could" I think to myself and know everything'll go on just fine without me. Dying quickly, but knowing your going to die, is kinda the 'best' way to die, anyway, innit? ;)
(I's probably just an OCD 'bad' habit that I turn into a good one. It's really just a grand form of triple-checking all the locks/outlets/faucets in the house before I can get myselt into the car. Instead of making me run late the day of, I start days and weeks before departure and see everybody and do everything I can to be as psychically untethered as possible. Then I can really take off, safe, with no looking back. )