The journey to Enlightenment is a long and winding road. I went to the Zen Center last night as Wednesday is the night I have set aside for group chanting and group seated meditation. I was thinking of all kinds of reasons not to go last night. The biggest was easy: the heat. I was thinking: is that dharma room air conditioned? You see, it’s all about me and my comfort…well, it shouldn’t be. Anyway, I went and the dharma room is the only room in the place that has air conditioning. Perhaps they don’t want people passing out all over the place. We humans love to complain though. “Oh it’s hot….it’s cold…it’s humid…it’s…” Just deal with it.
I went and was pretty much distracted the whole time. Wednesday has a lot going on that doesn’t occur on other nights. It is the night they teach new visitors how to meditate and the rules of the place and then they join us in the dharma room at 7:30 for seated meditation. Plus, Wednesday night is the night there is a Dharma Teacher or Zen Master present to do kong-an interviews with those who have things they would like to discuss in private. As the meditations take place, a bell is rung when the teacher is ready for the next private meeting.
Anyway, I had trouble reading the chant book (I need to bring my reading glasses). I was distracted by the sound of the air conditioner and that bell. Then there were a large number of new people that came in at 7:30 which surprised me based on the heat. The most interesting thing that happened during seated meditation was watching a bug crawl around on the hardwood floor. It had trouble with every crack. Watching this did help me stay in the moment but otherwise, I had trouble keeping my mind clear last night.
I spoke with a few people after meditation and they go on different nights often as there are none of these distractions on other nights. No interviews and no new people coming in halfway through the evening. I think I am going to start going on Tuesday nights instead of Wednesdays. I need to have as few distractions as possible to get the most out of meditation. Some would say one should be able to meditate through anything, even a tornado. I guess I need more progress to get there. One day at a time and all that.
It was a good night. It was around 95 degrees out and humid. I had time to go home before I went so I was able to change into shorts (comfort is certainly helpful while meditating). I also went barefoot as it seemed like the right thing to do (you have to take your shoes off at the door anyway). There’s something about walking into a place barefoot (and having it be okay) that gives one a sense of freedom. That may sound silly and silly is okay.
When I pulled into the Zen Center, I was greeted by a rabbit that was hopping around the property. Rabbits seem to be everywhere lately. It was warm and I’m not going to complain about the heat. I like it. It does shock the system a bit to go from 75 to 95 in one day but our systems are tough. People complain and say “when is summer going to arrive?” and then when it does, they complain that it’s too hot. Why not except things as they are? Can you control the weather or temperature? No…so don’t sweat it (no pun intended…well actually it was intended).
Peace and clear mind. Enjoy the summer. If you feel like checking out the Zen Center (in Cumberland, RI) check it out. You don’t have to be a Buddhist. You just have to be human. Personally, I don’t believe in religion. I believe in God. Buddhism is a philosophy for me. Buddhists believe in God also by the way. Buddhists accept everything and everyone. Just leave your shoes and karma at the door…
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