Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The Way Home, II
It appears I have returned to the monkish dedication which I began when I was in my early 20's. The changes which meditation brought were startling and mystical, and the cumulative experience I still carry inside my heart. I believe now is the proper time to return to my meditation studies, and so I have been practicing in my studio, at the Garfield Street Zendo, and today, at the 40th Street Buddhist Institute. I set a walking route for the 2.5 miles, and enjoyed yet another sunny and warm day in Eugene as I sauntered through town. Earlier in the day I stopped in at the Zendo and partook in the Sunday meditation, which is at the pleasant hour of 9:30am. At 1:00 I began my walk to the Institute and when I arrived I was greeted by one of the practitioners. He explained what they would be doing from 2:00-4:00, and I was unsure if I should stay or leave. The Institute is home for Tibetan style Buddhism, and this involves a lot of chanting. When the practitioner told me I could sit and breathe and not be expected to chant, I decided to stay, with the idea that I would use the chanting as a meditative music. I took my seat inside the beautiful hall along with a small group of six or seven. I was given two notebooks of chants and prayers as I settled into a western style chair, knowing I could not handle sitting cross-legged for 2 hours. The time went by quickly, and I found myself humming and even chanting a bit, finding it to be relaxing and unforced. After the service ended I was getting ready to leave when the practitioner said that participants are welcome to stay for a meal. Seeing that the group was small, I decided it would be rude to refuse, so took my seat at a table and listened to interesting conversation. There was a bottle of wine served, but I took fruit juice instead. The topics of discussion ranged from politics, conspiracy theories, to radiant heat flooring (which my apartment has). The thing which struck me throughout was that a few of the people were able to flow into normal conversation immediately following an intense 2 hours of meditation. It was as if the meditation had not affected them in the least. I was feeling relaxed and confident due to a peaceful breathing pattern which had emerged during the time spent sitting, and did not feel the need to speak, yet I was quick to comprehend what was being shared. Later, as I was walking home, I had an insight about my meditation practice - it teaches me how to breathe, or, breathe in a way which is good for my health and well being. For some reason I do not breathe well if I do not practice meditation - maybe it is this peaceful, rhythmic breathing which leads to a good and healthy life.
I hope to attend the 5:00am meditation at the Zendo tomorrow - because I do not use an alarm it will be up to my sleeping mind to get me out of bed.
