Mindfulness Front & Center

We are at the threshold of 2020.  In a time that really moves us. We harness a certain energy.  Maybe we become entrenched in a review of our narrative; maybe a splintering has been happening to us over the past year to let in more light. For many, 2020 may be the year to take you places you have never been!   

I want to share about the very earliest experience I can remember where I experienced a place where I had never been – a place of calm, of presence, of protection.  This came up for me in a Vipassana last Summer. At the time, we were exploring mindfulness as protection for the mind.  “On life’s journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night.” Buddha

At about four years old my grandmother would visit, and she created a ritual for us. Early mornings we would rise together and walk a few blocks to a corner breakfast café for coffee together. Just the two of us. 

I would hold her hand and looked up to her with so much admiration as she would walk at my pace, side by side, not rushed in any way.  Thich Nhat Hanh says “When someone takes your hand in mindfulness, with their presence, their concern you feel it.”  

We’d sit together at a booth in the café and she let me order coffee with her, and exactly how she took it -- black coffee with heavy cream. My cup was always the same size as hers, not a smaller portion.  

I would have to cool the coffee when it came, taking in deep big breaths of air.  It was always too hot for me and I had to be extra patient to drink it. I would listen to her share childhood stories from the Old World, East Prussia, about her family life as a young girl in the 1920s.  East Prussia was a thriving and beautiful land on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea. There was a stillness there. I remember being aware of a stillness. Like the whole world stopped right there with us.  “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” Lao Tzu

I asked a lot of questions and she was so patient and forthcoming and open with details. I remember how much I appreciated that she slowed down the pace of her speech for me, into a spacious cadence, because of her thick accent.  I recall her use of Yiddish when she couldn’t quite find the right English word. She was alive and present and calm - like we had all the time in the world to spend time together. Calm. Stillness. Presence. All of these qualities of meditation that build our inner and outer awareness. It was like mindfulness was front and center for her.

Over time all of her “Old World” stories built an image in my mind of a very cohesive family, with much loving kindness and closeness.  This made me feel really good inside. A deep sense of Belonging.  

There are spiritual teachings of living in community or with others like milk and water, and what does that mean?  When the two mix, the milk and water, they are indistinguishable.  I am reminded of this when I sip on a  matcha green tea latte, and add some water to extend the flavor.  It blends into a consistency even more creamy - into a delightful light green jade color. The concept of mixing with others is personal.  And, in 2020 mixing with others may include overcoming catastrophic thinking.

Performing verbal, mental and physical acts of loving-kindness are part of living and being with others – in our immediate family, our sangha, our temple and beyond into society.  Thinking beautiful thoughts about one another, acts of generosity, maybe surprising a colleague, sister, daughter or friend with a small treasure.  Deep listening to someone’s sharing brings so much joy. It also increases our awareness of happiness and suffering. Things come more into balance this way. 

Coming closer to Loving Kindness. Coming closer to Presence and Calm.  Calmness, a primary positive state of mental expansion.  Inner stillness, a part of our strength, which helps us to uncover the brilliant light of our soul.  Our deepest essence is inherently Pure. Calm. Present. Of Generosity. Of Loving Kindness.

Sometimes I think it would have been wonderful in my 20's to attend a school on Calmness & Concentration, One-pointedness, Neuroscience. Maybe I would have graduated to become a Diplomat of Divine Sparks, or an Ambassadress of Love.