What would Thich Nhat Hanh do??

Sometimes when I'm complaining about someone hub will ask me 'what would Thich Nhat Hanh do or think'? It took awhile to make the connection, but I just remembered the ridiculous 'What Would Jesus Do' phenomenon in the US. So, should I start a 'What Would Thich Nhat Hanh Do?' bumper sticker and tshirt business?? (just kidding) But it actually is a good thing to remember when I'm having a hard time with something or someone. He just exudes peace and mindfulness!

The bus ride

This morning I needed to take my car to the garage and leave it for the day. Instead of going into town with hub and having him drive me back home, I took the 40 minute bus trip back. After dropping off the car, I went to the gym for a long workout and good stretch, did a bit of shopping, had lunch, then caught the bus home. I hadn't been on the bus for several years. I began to read my book but found it too difficult with the bumpy roads, etc... Decided to just look at the scenery, homes and new lambs in the fields. The idea of taking the bus seemed like a chore to me and was surprised to find myself quite enjoying it. I really looked at what we were passing and sitting up higher meant I saw things I hadn't noticed before, at least not in a very long time.

I noticed the sparkles on the water when the sun peeked out, some homes I don't remember seeing before, and of course the new lambs. Looking across the water with many sailboats out and thinking what a lovely scene it was nearly took my breath away. As we went down my road which is nearly a 5 mile drive to our home after the turn off, I thought about how when I'm driving it I think about how much further I've got to go, how I wish I was home already, how I'm famished or desperately need a cup of tea. I often notice how pretty the scenery is, especially on a sunny day, but this was different. I looked at a row of houses and was able to see over the tops down to their gardens on the water and the house being rebuilt with the stone I like and I felt a rush of joy thinking 'this looks new to me...it's brand new' even though I saw it all every single day.

Carpe diem!!

Meditation positions

I'm reading Taking the Path of Zen and it give descriptions and drawings of stretches which can be done to make meditation postures easier and to help one to be able to do the full lotus position - the most stable of all of them. So I'm going to work on those stretches. I find the seiza position quite comfortable, but I've never done it for more than about 10 minutes. The abbey where I'm going next month offers different options including the seiza bench which I'd like to try.

Making better use of my time....

I spend far too much time on my expats forum. Much of that time is truly a waste spent on discussing topics that are of no importance whatsoever except to talk about our favourite topic - ourselves. I took a 3 week break when I was beginning to study Buddhism and felt I was spending my time in a much more constructive way. After the 3 weeks I got kind of itchy to find out what was going on with the folks there.

So I'm going to have to use some willpower and stay away from the forum - will try to do it for a month - then maybe go back and have very *limited* time on it. There are several babies about to born soon and I will ask one of the members to let me know via email how it's going regarding them.

More time meditating, more time reading, more time doing things mindfully. Walking meditation will be something I'll try soon.....possibly at the botanic garden.

Getting too distracted....

by everyday stuff. I do remember sometimes to stop and be in the present. Usually I remember to slow down and be mindful when I find myself rushing through washing the dishes.

Do have some changes that have stuck...it's like there it someone over my shoulder reminding me to watch my behaviour and reactions to people. I forget and sometimes nag over nothing, but not as much as I used to. This reminds me, I still have a podcast to listen to....it's about daily life.

Oh...hubby bought me a Buddha statue.

Mindfulness

I was trying to think of ways to remember to be mindful during the day.... I'm going to try to remember not to just ask myself 'what am I doing now', but to ask about each of my senses - what am I seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, tasting....

First sesshin

I just received confirmation that I can attend an introductory weekend retreat at a Soto Zen Buddhist Abbey in Northumbria - about a 2.5 hour drive away. It will basically be meditation practice and discussion and to help with tasks, possibly in the garden. Takes place in May.

Progress

I've been noticing how well I deal with my client who's a compulsive talker - I mean non-stop. I've been observing how I'm feeling while with her (which is 10 hours a week!). I realize why she is like this (obsessive-compulsive), she has too much nervous energy and she talks just to get rid of that energy. I'm sure it also keeps her from dwelling too much on her physical pains.

I've started to feel a curious sense of detachment while half listening to her in case she asks a question. I've found myself thinking w/o emotion 'she's doing her usual monologue, it's a wonder she can breathe', and noting it as a simple fact.

I'm also much less annoyed by the fact that she's a compulsive shopper. She buys things she already has, and things she'll never use. She has boxes of things she's bought which have never been opened. This is surely just a comfort thing. Many shopaholics do this to fill their empty lives.

All that said I still feel a sense of relief when I'm done with her for the day, especially when I won't be seeing her the next day.

Hyperactive mind!

Not condemning myself for this, but when I meditated this evening my mind would not quit! I would gently put the thoughts in a bubble and let them float away...but on the count of 2 another thought took its place. As far as I recall though, the thoughts were all sesshin, meditation, Buddhism related. Kept thinking about my first sesshin which will hopefully be in May....
'What if I have to cough or sneeze during meditation and disturb everyone?' 'What if I get uncomfortable and need to move during the meditation?' 'What if I drift off to sleep during the early morning meditation and fall over!?'

I've realized just how much this path has helped me in dealing with my client who is a compulsive talker. Today she told a long story, then started all over again with the same story. When she starts to be too much and I have the urge to think about taping her mouth shut, that thought is stopped almost immediately, w/o conscious effort.

Need to be more disciplined with meditation

I'm not meditating every day and know I should. After all, it's just for 5 minutes. I have a spot set up. I read somewhere not to have a set time because things can come up, but to do it after a task or event that occurs every day - like after a morning shower, or after doing dishes at night, etc. For me after doing the dishes would be a good time. So I'll start doing that tonight.

I've sent in a registration form for an introductory weekend retreat with meditation instruction and question and answer sessions. I'll have to drive for nearly 3 hours to get there. There is no charge for accommodation or food or anything, but they ask for anonymous donations as well as donations of food. Anyway, the retreat is in mid May.