Where Does All This Deep Thinking Come From?

     I spent most of last week alone, which is normally an uncomfortable place for me, but not this time...which was a pleasant surprise. I found that I enjoyed my own company, that I relished eating whenever I wanted, walked the dogs only if I felt like it, and I meditated to my heart's content. I think a catalyst for this positive experience was a series offered by Shambhala Mountain Center called Awake in the World. I received an email invitation to participate in this free function that just happened to be offered the week that Pete was gone. I made a mental commitment that I would participate every day, which meant anywhere from one to three hours of webcast each night, depending on how many I chose to participate in. This webcast stimulated so much deep, contemplative thinking within me that I feel compelled to get some of my thoughts down in words.

Here's what I took away from this week of study:

• We live in a perpetual state of speediness, yet where do we think we're going? The world is round.
• Compassion can only come through empathy; sympathy places me above you. So I will continue to remind myself to meet people eye to eye with an empathy for their suffering.
• Through meditation I quiet my mind. Quieting my mind allows me to return to the world more present. This present moment is all there is, and now the moment is gone and I'm on to the next one.
• Everything is impermanent, so why do we get so attached to the ups and downs of our lives? The good times will pass and the bad times will pass. Floating on the waves of my emotions is my goal.
• I will work to accept those I love (including myself) just as they are, knowing that good days and bad days are both a part of this love thing.

     In the Buddhist tradition there is no good/bad, there just is; but I find it hard to express myself without this dichotomy.  I write this in the hope that my ramblings might inspire you to stay present to the kick ass moments as well as those moments of total sucky-ness this week.