A poem I just came across I wrote 12 yrs ago....

Insight Numero Deaux

Today's Insight....

The Place all Meditators Dream of.......

The Morning  Light at Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal

Hello & Happy Monday!

Although there is much to say about Nepal that I have incorporated into my life upon my arrival back into the States & ways I  now live my life differently (yet to share here), I just watched the movie " "The Celestine Prophecy"  (click on the purple to see the movie trailer)  & it so impacted me.  I have seen the movie many times,& have always enjoyed it.  But now I can say I  watched it from a knowing perspective....knowing what the hek they meant in all the insights, having felt the energy of being in what is referred to as "The Flow." where you are one with everything.

When I was in Pokhara at my Yoga Retreat, I did a meditation and entered into  that state of being or mind.. Since I am new to meditation, it was quite a surprise.   From the conversations I'd had with people after the experience, I understand many others who have meditated for years have yet to know it.

It is difficult to describe verbally, much less put it on paper (ie, internet).  There is no sense of time as in future or past.  There are absolutely no limits whatsoever.  Anything is possible in the broadest sense.  There is peace and love.  There is a feeling of ease and freedom.   You are connected to the entire universe, everyone & everything all at once.  You feel the sheer vastness of the Universe & yet the intimacy of the connection.

In the movie, they said to live into the memory of that feeling once you have experienced it.  That is my tip of the day.  To go within & find your peace, albeit a challenge, when you are in the midst of your most trying times. Take a moment, & just breathe in.

The movie also said that when you look for the silver lining within bad experiences, it helps you to stay connected.  I have always tried to look on the bright side of  life's traumas, but now see the deeper meaning in doing so.  The less time you can spend dwelling on the negative,  as soon as possible finding the lesson in it, the easier you bounce back.

Here's looking at you (r light) , kid....
Annie

My 1st Meditation "Post" Nepal.....

The "Monkey Mind".....
They say that your mind jumps around like a monkey does, & meditation "calms the Monkey Mind."

Well, I arrived back in the States on Dec. 6. It's now Feb. 26 & I just attended my 1st meditation session at a  Jodo Shinshu Tradition of Pure Land Buddhism  Temple.  (I'm not really sure what that means in the scheme of Buddhism, but for anyone following who is Buddhist, I'm sure that puts it in perspective)

Having come home to a busy work schedule, which only let up this week, this was the 1st time I really tuned in to wanting to meditate & find a Buddhist Temple since I've been home. AND to see, having gone to Nepal in search of Buddhism, (having been completely new to it), if I'd feel any different post Kopan Monastery & Nepal.

I didn't know what to expect.  I just knew that I'm in the midst of change in areas of my life from a new place to live upon my return to new job experiences.  I do know that when change is in the air, it's a good time to go inward, to facilitate the transition.  That's certainly something my experience abroad solidified within me.  

I was amazed at how conditioned my body was once I sat on the pillow on the floor & crossed my legs, having done it for a month at Kopan. It was like nestling into a comfortable old chair in front of a fireplace. My mind & body knew what was about to happen & I was eager to let my thoughts go & find the emptiness.

(I did, however, also have a brief moment of flashback to hours of being uncomfortable & fidgeting through the long days at the Monastery sitting on the floor, while I had envy of those participants who managed to nab chairs to sit on. AND simultaneously, felt bad for feeling that way, since it's not Buddhist-like to have envy (or maybe it was just Catholic guilt..lol)

The nice thing about tonight's meditation was in this tradition, you meditate with your eyes open. (The entire Nepal experience in meditation had been with eyes closed)  I find that the more I cut out,  stimulus wise,(ie, eyes closed) the more my mind wants to hold on to thoughts & race.  Just now, starring at a spot on the wooden floor in front of me, was waaaaay easier.   They said part of why you keep your eyes open is the purpose of meditation is to "awaken." (makes sense to me)

Everything happens for a reason & it's no coincidence that because I went tonight, I found out about the International Buddhist Film Festival being held this weekend down the road from me.

I daily find, in the most unexpected ways, the influence & impact the trip had on me & my life.  It hasn't been all at once, but is unfolding in bits & pieces, as I had expected......more to come....

So much to share, so little time...

Hello!
I have had to cut my trip short due to illness from the food & water in Nepal.  I am currently in the Hong Kong Airport on my way home.  I am so glad I made the trip here & have learned so much about life, myself, & of course, Buddhism, the purpose of the trip.

I have many stories to post that I will share from my time learning Buddhism at Kopan Monastery over the course of the past month. 

Please sign up at the right of the page to receive e mail alerts for posts as I expect a bit of jet lag with the 12 hr time difference before I write about my Buddhism experiences....

My final Namaste from Asian soil....
Annie

Pictures of Kopan Monastery...