American Buddhist Perspectives
Tomorrow I leave for a short (weekend) meditation retreat, a MUCH needed pause from the chaos to step out, to breath, to see it all just a little more clearly – and then to jump back in! I know this time in my life will be looked back upon as one of the most pivotal in my life: the beginning of the end of my life as a career student, the beginning of the beginning of my life with Kelly; a year of teaching under my belt; fantastic friendships; and all the joy and excitement that comes with it all. I have had few moments to just savor the wonder of life and all that is happening, either alone or with loved ones. But when those moments have arrived, wow, tears of pure joy.
I know the world has its problems, I know dukkha is everpresent. I accept that. I know that new beginnings bring new difficulties, new challenges, and yes, new failures. This too I accept. I spent a fair bit of my youth brooding over all of that and yes, I am sure the negative aspects of life will find their way into my mind again some time.
But for now it is an Indian summer in Montana; the air is cool and clear and the trees are beginning to don their fall colors. I am (again) surrounded by the swirling chaos of an overseas move and the joy of planning a life with miss Kelly, and… for a moment… I can almost hear… silence.
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