Great Expectations

When I set out for church on Sunday morning, I fully expected to be inspired and positively energized there. It's not often that I say this but... church was a disappointment.

The priest started off his sermon by asking that any latecomers please remain in the back or wait until there was a hymn to seat themselves, so as not to "interrupt the whole atmosphere." I thought the priest himself interrupted the atmosphere by calling it to everyone's attention, and wondered briefly if he was talking about me. I had been there before the start of mass and since it hadn't started yet, had gone to find a restroom. When I returned, the congregation was singing and I didn't think anyone minded me walking up to a pew that had an empty seat on the end. However, that had been a good twenty minutes earlier and he was probably now speaking about people who were standing in the back at that particular time. It didn't matter who he was talking about though. I thought that it must have made a fair amount of people feel uncomfortable and I found his comments a bit unsettling.

The priest then launched into his homily, which had much to do with suffering and pain. I may not be giving him enough credit here, but the whole point of it seemed to be that we must suffer like Jesus and that pain is everywhere. I looked around to see if anyone else besides me found his message odd. If they did, they didn't show it. All the people were listening attentively.

He quoted something in some other language, then offered a translation. I believe he credited Buddha, but I might have misinterpreted due to his thick accent. I could have sworn he quoted Buddha as having said, "Pain and suffering is everywhere." WHAT WAS HE TALKING ABOUT???

I wanted to get up and leave. As luck would have it, I had to use the restroom again. (Never drink an entire bottle of water just before leaving the house for church.) I waited for a part of the mass when I felt I wouldn't be "interrupting the whole atmosphere" before I left my pew. The mass ended and the people were almost completely gone when I returned. The priest was shaking hands with congregants as they exited the church. His message also encouraged people to stand up for their beliefs and speak their mind (regardless of the suffering it might cause). I was tempted to stand up for my beliefs and tell him how much I disliked his sermon, but I resisted and exited through a different doorway.

I understand where he could have gone with his point... He was talking about sacrificing for others and I could relate to that idea. He could have talked about how joyous and rewarding it is to give selflessly to others. He didn't. He said we must sacrifice and suffer for the good of others. He made it sound like a miserable thing that we would have to endure.

I went home and conveyed my experience to Russ, who was getting ready to leave for a flight. We were stopping by his parents' house for a Father's Day visit before the airport. On the way we passed a McDonald's. I asked him to pull over.

I didn't want to stop for food. What caught my attention was the marquee in front. I was surprised, excited and nourished by it! It said, "The purpose of our lives is to be happy." (HA! and HA again!) I exclaimed, "I could've come HERE for spiritual guidance this morning!" Kudos to the manager of that McDonald's!

It's funny how you can find disappointment where you least expect it - and inspiration where you least expect it too. :)

Namaste,
T

P.S.

While writing this, I tried to find Buddha quotes having anything to do with pain or suffering. Here are a few that I found which run totally contrary to sentiments expressed at Sunday's service:

Adventures with Trees and Buddha

Last week began with a tree climbing adventure with Russ. It ended with a story about Buddha. Somehow, it all ties together in a way that makes perfect sense.

On Monday, we ventured into the trees on aerial obstacle courses. Our successful journey involved balance, strength, and conquering fear.

At the end of the week, I was asked to embark on another adventure of sorts. I was specifically asked to enter a potentially challenging situation and to meet any negativity with grace and love. It felt as if I was being tested, both mentally and spiritually, to see if I was able to take the "high road."

That journey also required balance, inner strength, and the complete abolition of fear. I became determined to simply stay on a course of positive energy, remaining focused and impervious to any outside influence. Mission accomplished.

The next day a friend of mine shared a story he knew about Buddha. I've since found several variations online. It goes something like this:

Buddha, having gained many followers at the time, encountered one specific traveler who seemed to be determined to make him angry. The man shouted offensive remarks, insulting Buddha and dishonoring him in front of his followers. Buddha remained calm and unruffled. He returned only kindness and love to the traveler. This continued for several days until finally the rude man asked Buddha why, after days of ridicule and verbal abuse was he still nothing but kind to him.

Buddha replied with a question: If someone gives you a gift and you do not accept it, to whom does it belong?

(Click here to link to another version on uua.org)

The point is that if someone is mean to you, or gives you the "gift" of rudeness, you do not have to accept it. Then the gift still belongs to the giver. We do not have to upset ourselves or stress out when others give us unwelcome gifts. We can simply choose not to accept them. No one has the power to anger or upset us unless we allow them to. That choice remains ours and we are empowered by it.

What gifts are we accepting from others? What gifts are we giving others?

I am reminded that there are all kinds of adventures and challenges in this life. Just as there are those of a physical nature, there are those of a mental and spiritual nature as well. We can embark on each of them with a sense of balance, strength and Love. If we choose to strive for balance, strength and Love in the face of all challenges, we'll be doing pretty good.

Namaste,
T
xoxo

P.S.
It occurs to me that sometimes the most loving thing to do, is love ourselves enough to remove ourselves from harmful situations. Blessed journey...

The Balance Beam

"Do not dwell in the past, 

do not dream of the future, 

concentrate the mind on the present moment."

- adaptation of a Buddhist concept

As an exercise, I've been meditating and making a conscious effort to release all that which no longer serves.  I realize that sometimes this includes releasing the thoughts of yesterday.  My intention in doing so is to open my mind.  I don't want to close myself off to new ideas by holding too tightly to the old ones.  I've felt good about doing this - about saying to myself, "I release the thoughts of yesterday."

These last few weeks though, I've been immersed in memories of the past.  I've seen so many people whom I haven't seen in ages.  I've had the chance to spend quality time with people whom I love, who were major influences on me.  I've loved walking down memory lane and revisiting old friends, band members and stomping grounds.

I know that things do not - and can not - remain exactly the same.  I know that it is by moving forward that we find our way back home (a place of peace and serenity).  I also know how much I love and appreciate all of my past experiences and how they all continue to influence my future. 

Clip from The Lion King about "the past":

This week, I will try to balance the beautiful memories of the past with the adventurous spirit of embracing the future.  If my meditation thought had been to "release the thoughts of yesterday," then I have adapted it a little.  I don't want to release all the memories.  I want to be able to visit them with love.  I'll choose to let them inform me.  I'll look back in order to understand myself and my journey better.  Then I'll be better prepared to embrace the future because of them.  

The above quote doesn't advise to forget the past, just not to dwell.  And I WILL allow myself to dream of the future, but I won't get too attached to any ideas of how it will go.  I will live in the present moment, but I won't allow it to eclipse my appreciation for past or future.  One will not exist to the exclusion of the others.  All are true.

"Let go of the past, let go of the future.  

Let go of the present.  

Having gone beyond becoming, 

with mind completely freed, 

you will never again come to birth and aging."

- literal translation of Buddhist verse

I will appreciate each moment.  I can do that while still cherishing the memories of the past and the new frontier of the future as well.  I won't get too lost in the past, too obsessed with the future or blinded by the present moment.

Balance.  That will be the "new" thought of meditation this week.  :)

Namaste,

T

"Gallage" (me, Sharon and Sandra) - from back in the day

Gallage (Sharon, me and Sandra from this past Saturday

Gallage (Sharon, me and Sandra) from this past Saturday