So many people have expressed astonishment that I would
actually enjoy a week-long silent meditation retreat. I admit that it may not
be everyone's cup of tea, but silence—to my heart—is golden.
I treasure the deeper seeing that occurs naturally. For
example, the awe that I felt when I saw these two dandelions growing
side-by-side in the labyrinth. They were the only two in the whole area, and instantly,
I was aware of the profound reality present
in the old is the new not yet come.
In meditation training, it is said, "The one who is aware of anger is not angry." As I was drifting off to sleep, I wondered who is the "I" looking, and who is the "I" being seen?
While we might
argue these ideas until the cows come home, it is very simple to experience
truth beyond ideas when you are
intentional to notice the ego perspective and do as Jill BolteTaylor describes
as stepping right of your left brain. She is the author of My Stroke of Insight, and if you have not yet seen her amazing Ted
talk, check that out.
I am slowly settling back into a routine here at home, but I am being very intentional to
integrate the expanded mindfulness my week of silent mediation gifted me with.
For today, let me remember you can see the eternal
expressing itself in the impermanent moment-by-moment. It is so reassuring to know
this is the truth of each of our lives.