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....
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