"True happiness is not having to have things any certain way in order to be happy."
-author in question
(I honesty do not know if it is “my” quote or an incarnation of something I read somewhere; but nevertheless....)
-author in question
(I honesty do not know if it is “my” quote or an incarnation of something I read somewhere; but nevertheless....)
How does one achieve such a far-fetched, Disney-esque disposition?
This notion came to me while driving to Golden Bridge on the 101 freeway in a slow-going Thursday evening commute. The traffic was unusually thick and the distance generous, but I sailed along even when the car could do no more than nudge. I can recall however, occasions when I had more time to spare, less distance to travel and more elbow room in which to do it, yet routinely found myself knotted up; ready to plow through two cars at a time, to end it already!
I am sure my angst in those moments had more to do with whatever circumstances the day had gifted rather than the actual travel situation. But that seems to be the way it works with us mere mortals; when we are not paying close attention to the individual moments that make up our lives - experiencing them as they arise and then letting them go as they inevitably do - they all mange to run together and crash land onto each other when we least expect, or can handle it.
Eventually an early morning square-off around what a sixth grader is and is not allowed to wear to school, on top of the afternoon finger-pointing extravaganza at the office, bleeds into a minor maneuvering on the highway, ending in dented front and rear bumpers, threatening “mean mug” expressions and rising insurance premiums.
Having each moment be its own experience so that the next moment can take its rightful place, is the gift that meditation can give. It allows us to “Be Here Now” as Ram Dass so artfully put it.
When we practice sitting, we do so moment to moment. Each breath we take is it’s own and never carries over into, or bundles itself up with the next breath. In the practice of meditation we learn to be here now so we don’t have to be there later, wondering how it all got so out of control.
I think you will find that this approach can make you, your life, and your commutes (physical, emotional and spiritual) much, much happier.
This notion came to me while driving to Golden Bridge on the 101 freeway in a slow-going Thursday evening commute. The traffic was unusually thick and the distance generous, but I sailed along even when the car could do no more than nudge. I can recall however, occasions when I had more time to spare, less distance to travel and more elbow room in which to do it, yet routinely found myself knotted up; ready to plow through two cars at a time, to end it already!
I am sure my angst in those moments had more to do with whatever circumstances the day had gifted rather than the actual travel situation. But that seems to be the way it works with us mere mortals; when we are not paying close attention to the individual moments that make up our lives - experiencing them as they arise and then letting them go as they inevitably do - they all mange to run together and crash land onto each other when we least expect, or can handle it.
Eventually an early morning square-off around what a sixth grader is and is not allowed to wear to school, on top of the afternoon finger-pointing extravaganza at the office, bleeds into a minor maneuvering on the highway, ending in dented front and rear bumpers, threatening “mean mug” expressions and rising insurance premiums.
Having each moment be its own experience so that the next moment can take its rightful place, is the gift that meditation can give. It allows us to “Be Here Now” as Ram Dass so artfully put it.
When we practice sitting, we do so moment to moment. Each breath we take is it’s own and never carries over into, or bundles itself up with the next breath. In the practice of meditation we learn to be here now so we don’t have to be there later, wondering how it all got so out of control.
I think you will find that this approach can make you, your life, and your commutes (physical, emotional and spiritual) much, much happier.
1 comment:
meditation has taught me that whenever my frustration or anger level rises, i have to stay in the moment and breathe. it truly works. it also helps to understand how fortunate we are to be alive, even if we're not perfectly healthy. it's truly a blessing.
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