SPLAT!

Metta is a word from Pali, the language of the Buddha's teachings, which is translated as loving-kindness or loving-friendliness. A common practice in Buddhism is to establish Metta towards oneself, and then outwards towards other people, and eventually towards all beings in ever-widening circles.

A few days ago while doing a half-day meditation retreat, an interesting visual cropped up: a water balloon filled with Metta. The difference being that instead of getting soaked with cold water, when hit with a Metta balloon one would be soaked in the warm feelings of contentment, health, and peace.

So I began to imagine throwing these balloons at the other people in the retreat. SPLAT! To the people walking next to me. SPLAT! To the monks leading the retreat. SPLAT! To all of the people present that day.

Then I started thinking of some people I was having difficulties with. SPLAT! A Metta balloon right at them. Until eventually in my mind, there were Metta balloons being thrown "above and below, around and everywhere".

Puerile? Perhaps. But I remained in a quiet state of joy for the rest of the retreat and onward. As I've walked and driven around my neighborhood, I've continued throwing Metta balloons at all and sundry. It's been rather fun, and so I'm sharing it with you.

SPLAT! You've been hit with a Metta balloon!

Shedding the Superficial

I deactivated my Facebook account last night.

I realized that while it really did not help to develop the deep, personal relationships I had with the people that are close to me, it supported the many superficial relationships I had with people I barely knew. Old work friends, people I'd met a few times, people I'd met on Facebook, friends of friends; people who, while I feel positively towards and wish them well, are not a regular part of my life.

The more time I have spent online lately, the more the lack of profundity on the internet becomes apparent. Perhaps I should fault myself for looking for meaning on a medium that cannot possibly fill such a requirement.

And yet here I am discussing this online. Hmmm.

I think that's all I have for today. But I will say this: I do feel quite lightened this morning, and am imagining the productive ways I can spend time usually spent reading statuses of people I hardly know.

For one who loves seclusion

I recently returned from a ten day retreat at Birken. Throughout the retreat I was repeatedly moved by the force of having spiritual friends around me. In fact, May has been a month filled with spiritual friendship; with visits from the nuns of Aloka Vihara, then Ajahn Sucitto from Chithurst monastery, then the retreat at Birken. By the end of the retreat, I clearly heard the calling to live in a spiritual community.

Ironically, for years I have envisioned living on my own, and still quite enjoy the solitude that living by myself brings. Yet I am finding that there is a difference between seclusion of the mind and seclusion of the body. I am seeing more and more examples of those who can be in the midst of people and yet still be at peace.

Another part of living on my own that I enjoy is having the choice of when and how to do things. Yet there is a voice inside me that is whispering that the growth in practice lies in giving that choice over to the universe. Let's face it: it's really not us who are in control. We just like to think we are.

There are still some things here to work with for a while. I have an old dog to take care of until it's time for her leave this life. My son and daughter-in-law are in the local area for now - it's uncertain where they will end up next summer. I also will be working on financial preparation for future wanderings. And of course, preparing myself (if that's possible) for this transition.

I don't know at this point if this means getting ordained again, or living as a steward. My plan is to take an extended look at different monasteries and viharas in the future, and decide from there. As a teacher once said, "If you want to make the universe laugh, just develop a plan".  Keeping Lao Tzu's advice, I have no fixed plans and am not intent on arriving.

Another blog in the world? Just what the world needs. My hope is to bring new ideas into the general stream of consciousness....or perhaps just to keep in touch with family and friends during future travels. I suppose time will tell where this blog will lie in that continuum.