Entry FeedBuddha is following me everywhere I go. I think it is the universe sending me a message that I need to get more zen in my life. Of course, I haven't read Siddhartha by Herman Hesse since grade thirteen, so I don't even really remember the Buddhist path to enlightenment except that we each need to follow our own path. Deep, eh?
Yesterday Son One got his soccer jersey, and he is on a team called, "Buddha Foodha." Could there be a better name for a sports team? Much better than State Farm insurance. (Thank you to everyone who sponsors a children's sport team!)
This morning was my first day of Buddha Bootcamp. I ran over to the park for our 6 am meet time (Note: running not very zen-like) and realized that either I live closer to the park than I thought, or I am a faster runner than I thought.
We start the session with a 10 minute meditative walk. For those of you, like myself, unfamiliar with meditation, it is intended to take you from the thinking area of your mind to relaxation and awareness...
Here is a rough idea of what was going through my head during my meditative walk:
I can't believe that I haven't said anything yet! See, I can be quite. Concentrate on breathing. In one, out one. In two, out two. In three, out three. In four, out seven. Out seven? That's not right, you idiot! Can't even count to four. Man these ladies in front of me are slow. Is it bad to pass someone on a meditative walk? Should I leave the path and pass on the left? Isn't Buddha all about finding your own path? Don't step in the mud. A hiking we will go; a hiking we will go. Hi ho the dairy oh a hiking we will go. Why are we on the path anyway? What route should I run home? I don't really want to go up the hill and along Bloor Street. I am still quiet! Haven't said anything yet. Colder than I thought. Are we coming up to the clearing yet? Why are these women so slow. Not good Zen to pass them on the path. Meditate. Meditate. MEDITATE!!! Stop thinking. I hope we don't have to take off our shoes.
Too much thinking, not enough reflecting.
When we got to a clearing, we did half an hour of yoga; still remember the warrior pose. I still hadn't said anything and was actually started feeling pretty Zen, when I noticed a small ant carrying a dead ant on his back walking across my mat. I flicked him away before I thought of what I was doing, and then realized that now I will have bad karma. No longer at one with the universe, my allergies started acting up during the meditation and I couldn't stop sneezing.
I managed to stay silent all the way back to the parking lot. That had to be at least 50 minutes of not talking - might be a record for me. This Buddha Bootcamp runs Tuesdays and Thursday at 6 am for the next four weeks, though I can only attend when Husband isn't working in the mornings... I am sure that I can find the path to enlightenment in four sessions.