I’m at home, of course.
And for the first time in a very long while, I have Time.
I’ve had time to rest, to make homemade soup, sit down with a cup of tea, open a book that had been forgotten, clean the top of the fridge and other areas I’ve neglected, apply a face mask, call my sister and my parents to have conversations where I’m present, not rushed. And, I’ve had time to embrace my meditation practice.
During this time, what came to mind was Grandmaster JinBodhi’s formula:
Time + Practice = Results.
RESULTS
First of all, Results. What does my Bodhi Meditation practice give me?
During this crisis, I know that my immune system is fully functioning. My state of mind is calm. I’m not panicking or worrying. Instead, I’m able to pray for all those who are suffering. I listen to my intuition and when a family or friend’s name pops into my head, I reach out immediately with a phone call, a text, or an email, depending where in the world they are. Before this interlude of seclusion, when I thought of someone, I’d make a mental note to call them later. Later. “Now” is much better. I remember years ago, it was about 11:00 pm. A couple I knew who had lost their son a month or so earlier came to mind. Not only was it a thought, there was also a loud voice saying, “Call them. Call them now.” My mental excuses included it’s too late. But I called them. They were overjoyed. They’d been praying that someone would call them because they hadn’t heard from anyone for a while and felt forgotten in their grief. I learned that night that listening to our inner wisdom is invaluable. And then, life gets busier and busier, and Later becomes a byproduct of that. Meditation gives us clarity, wisdom and compassion. It gives us a strong foundation for facing situations such as where we find ourselves now.
TIME
Second, Time.
On a regular, non-isolating day, I’m up early, with a long to-do list. This list means I’m in the car, in traffic, picking up something or other, in meetings, solving problems, carrying out projects, connecting with colleagues, and taking work home. A friend once saw my to-do list on the counter. “Is this what you have to do this month?” No, it was for that day! I always think there’s more time in 24-hours than there is. That’s where Later came in handy. Sometimes, my meditation practice came Later. It should be a priority. Making a commitment to go the gym when I was in my twenties was easy. Making a commitment to meditate daily today isn’t. Why? I know it’s what will help me live a healthy, long life. If it was medication, I’d take it daily, not Later, for my health.
So now I’m in a situation where I have Time to organize my days as I see fit. I have time to meditate every day. There’s nowhere I have to be, nothing that has to be picked up or dropped off; this time is for me. And so, my to-do list is much shorter. Meditation starts my day with an hour of The Meditation of Greater Illumination. I end my day with The Meditation of Purity and The Call. I was talking with a friend from Bodhi Meditation and she said that after doing two hours of practice, she realized she had time to do more. And so, she does. Another Bodhi friend said that her husband now joins her in her practice. At first, he’d teased her about her practice, but he saw the difference it made in her attitude and perspective. By adding to my practice daily, I know that I’m building a powerful habit that I won’t be prepared to categorize as Later once this crisis has passed. Meditation is the foundation of everything in my life, so even when something like this pandemic arises, I can remain calm and observant.
PRACTICE
Third, Practice.
I have so much gratitude for Grandmaster JinBodhi’s meditation techniques. The meditation supports us emotionally, mentally and physically, and relieves the strain of these uncertain times. When crisis strikes, some people worry, others overwork in order to feel in control of something. But if you have a strong foundation in Bodhi Meditation, you enter each day with calm and focus. You choose to cooperate, help each other, share, give, be a support to others, and you realize that our work is to be a benefit to others. This is all thanks to the meditation Grandmaster JinBodhi created. There’s meditation to boost our energy – The Meditation of Greater Illumination; meditation to calm our mind and body – The Meditation of Purity. We can chant to Medicine Buddha for health, to Guan Yin Boddhisattva for help. And during this time of being housebound, we can join meditation sessions and Grandmaster JinBodhi’s teachings virtually through Facebook and YouTube.
- Tuesday Chanting – LIVE on Facebook, 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Watch Grandmaster JinBodhi LIVE on Facebook or YouTube
- Light a candle: call 604 276 2885