Buddha We Have A Problem
“The ending of sorrow is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge is always within the shadow of ignorance. Meditation is freedom from thought and a movement in the ecstasy of truth. Meditation is explosion of intelligence.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti
Last night I returned to meditation class after three weeks off. They run the class like any other class, in that there are terms. Three weeks ago was the end of the first term so last night was the beginning of the second term. As is true at the beginning of any new term in any type of class, there were lots of newcomers. It was a lot more crowded than before and as many of the newcomers had no idea what was going on, there was more instruction on how to do things and less time for some of the beginning exercises.
I wasn’t in the best frame of mind going in. I had a moderately bad day due to being tired, crappy weather, a hectic evening and a fairly emotional (but good) discussion with hubby about several different issues going on in our lives right now. I was, however, looking forward to class and the relaxation that it always brings.
I wasn’t concerned about the larger class size and all the newcomers until we got to the walking meditation portion of the class. This is still my least favorite part of class and this time it was made worse by having to walk outside in the parking lot right off of a busy, noisy, major road. There were also two grown women giggling uncontrollably through the entire first half of the walking meditation. Now my BFFs and I have been know to behave like morons from time to time, don’t get me wrong. But really, in a meditation class? It was annoying. The whole point is to be silent and focus on the steady rhythm of the walking. That was completely blown for me due to the traffic and giggling.
During my favorite and normally most relaxing part of the class, where we sit in the lotus position in complete silence counting our breaths, the cell phone of the woman directly behind me kept on vibrating. My right leg fell asleep again. I couldn’t concentrate to save my life. Monkey mind had returned with a vengeance. As we had before, we were to count our breaths, up to ten, and then start over at one. Over and over again. We aren’t supposed to go past ten. This is in an effort to keep you focused. Sometimes you accidentally let your mind wander and go past ten. That’s ok, you’re just supposed to refocus and start over at one again. At one point I counted all the way to sixty-one before realizing my mind was wandering! I just wasn’t feeling it last night.
At the very end, the instructor of the class told this story about Bodi Dharma. I’m not sure if it was because I was cranky over the feeling that I had been doing it wrong last night or if the story is just too far fetched for me to wrap my cynical brain around, but I couldn’t wait for the story to end so we could go home. This is not usual. I normally love listening to the little lessons at the end of class. Of course, they had never been this long or this unrealistic sounding before either.
This brings up a question I’d love the answer to. I’ve only recently begun meditation class. I’ve read a little about Buddhism. I’ve liked everything about it up until this point. My question, to anyone who knows more about this subject than I, is; are stories like this to be taken literally? Do Buddhists truly believe that these unbelievable events actually occurred or are they more like fables, with the lesson being real but the details embellished for effect?
Thanks for stopping by!
Soften your ears and listen without waiting for ‘a point.’ The best direction of my energies in meditation involve focusing my attention to feeling my hand inside out, connecting with a body part and tuning into the way my hand feels is a primer to my big tummy breaths. There is no correct way … you find your way. “There are many teachers you are the only guru …” wise words from an Indian Maharishi follower I am grateful to have known.
LOL! i know just the kind of mood you went to that class in — but isn’t that when the challenge to practice is supposed to be the greatest? my former course in “mindfulness” is having an all day session for “graduates” this weekend — i don’t think i am in the frame of mind to spend 8 hours being mindful
i hope you did get something out of it. and it is thursday already….
I don’t think there is anything I want to do for 8 hours straight! I did still feel more relaxed afterwards, and YES, it’s Thursday!!
I am curious to know what story you were told.
Eastern philosphy, Buddhism, is based on learning the moral of the story. It’s like the story our parents told us about having to walk three miles in the snow with no shoes to get an education. It is a story about appreciating what you have and to stop complaining.
Buddhism is about appreciation of yourself, those around you, and living a harmously life. Allowing your mind to be open, peaceful, and listening to your inner being.
Western beliefs attempt to take “stories” from the bible, yes “stories”, from long ago, which also contain a lot of fables and intrepret those literally.
These stories both in eastern and western beliefs have been told for decades and do include over the top embleshments to help make the point.
Try to think less analytically when listening to the stories. I think it will help you hear the true meaning rather than stumbling over the disbelief of what you are being told.
This is the story: http://user.chol.com/~kimtsf/BodiDharma.html
It is very difficult for me to be anything BUT analytical!! But, that’s what my sister said too. She compared it to the telephone game, everyone who’s told the story over the years has embellised a little until it’s turned into this big old unbelieveble story, but with the message in tact. One of the things that I don’t like about Western religions is the absolute belief in every detail, just like you said.
Thanks Tammy!
There is a very timely video parody floating around right now about the literal interpertation and following of the words as written in the bible.
If I can figure out a way to upload I will try and get it to you.
Cool, thank you!
Unless she’s on call or something, why on earth would that woman have to leave her phone on during a meditation class? I thought it was all about getting away from the everyday stresses for a little while.
I was wondering the same thing. My thought was if she was THAT important, she could probably afford to have a Dharma Master come to her house for personal guided meditation. I was thinking that the next time it started vibrating I was going to turn around and say, “Seriously??!!” but then decided that wasn’t very Zen-like of me.