Sitting in my meditation pose, listening to one of the most respected Buddhist teachers in Sri Lanka as he leads a guided meditation session. I feel fraudulent, farce as I do my best to keep my mind clear. I’m focused on the words spoken just before the session, “breathe is in the present. Let all thoughts arrive then send them on their way. Stay in the present.”
Naturally, while in this head space I have dozens of questions. Thinking is how I process experiences, life, mistakes. The discipline it takes to dismiss them eludes me. Memory recollection, business ideas, logistics of the next adventure all float whimsically around up there when silence is allotted me.
It’s warm. Sweat beads on my upper lip and hair line. I try to still my mind. Listen to my breath. Listen to his words. Another handful of seconds go by, faces and images flash in my mind. Breathe. Be still.
*First two images courtesy of Paramadhammachethiya.org
3 Responses
I am enjoying your blog! You’ve been busy since Sri Lanka! Could you possibly IM me through FB (or email)? I would love the picture of our entire group with Ven. Maitipe Wimalasara Maha Thera, taken after our meditation session with him. That certainly was a highlight of the trip.
Kathy (one of the birdwatching sisters)
Hi Kathy! Thanks for reading 🙋🏾Hope you and your sister are well! You wouldn’t believe the beautiful birds I was blessed to see in the Amazon in Peru! Please send me an email at baglady.meredith.sandiego@gmail.com and I’m more than happy to reply to you with the image attached
Hi Kathy! Sitting right for your email so I can forward you the picture you asked after 🙂