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Oasis of Quiet
Georgetown Island, Maine
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Achaan [Ajahn] Chah [Thailand, 1919-1992], once walked by some students at the Insight Meditation Center who were doing slow walking meditation on the lawns. He remarked that the meditation center looked like a mental hospital for the diseases of the worldly mind. All afternoon, as he wandered past students, he would call out to them, "Get well soon. I hope you get well soon." That is also very wonderful.
*Zen Master Seung Sahn. Forward. Achaan Chah. A Still Forest Pool.
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It is wonderful to enjoy your spiritual practice. While the Way can be challenging, sometimes very much so, joy needs to be a sign of your devotion. If you do not enjoy the Way, you are taking yourself too seriously. If you do not enjoy your meditation, you will likely not keep meditating. Even in appearing to fail, you can be humorous about it. You can laugh at yourself. If you enjoy the walk, you will get up and keep on no matter how many times you fall. Smiling and laughing are marks of delight in a path of wisdom, healing, and love. Even one sincere smile can bring ease and open a door to a fresh perspective.
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*©Brian K. Wilcox, 2022.
*Use of photography is allowed accompanied by credit given to Brian K. Wilcox, and title and place of photograph.
*Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major online booksellers or the publisher AuthorHouse.
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