In a recent conversation with my 15-year-old niece, I heard myself ask whether or not she wanted my opinion. It was one of those silent, thunder-and-lightning-striking moments. I felt the power of it; I project she felt the power of it. My guess is she had never been asked this before, having endured endless opinions from adults as she motionlessly rolled her eyes. It took me straight back to the start of practice, to something that has always touched me deeply: the immense respect shown. Being asked, in situations where I never had been before, was a profound experience. The deep regard this communicates is difficult to put into words. I am so grateful this was modeled to such an extent that I was able to honor another soul in the same way.
This moment of grace is one of countless, daily fruits of monastic training.
In considering all the gifts I receive quite literally daily from having spent time training at the Monastery, I realize that training breaks the habit of taking things for granted. And in its place, blessings flow in. Who could have guessed?!
Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance. -- Epicurus
I love this quote from the December Practice Intensive because it points to this gift of monastic practice -- widening the portal for us to be able to receive, increasing our ability to enjoy what we have.
This includes miraculous things like electricity, heat, and hot water. Many days I marvel that I am able to take a hot shower, considering all the people in the world who can’t. Then I marvel at the fact that I am conscious enough to marvel at this and thank practice for opening me to experience this gratitude.
This also includes less tangible things such as the ability to listen, to see and to honor another being with presence. Profound moments like the one with my niece have unimaginable ramifications. What a miracle it is to be able to get out of the way and let Life work its magic.
I can only bow in deep gratitude to practice and to Sangha which continue to train me to lead an ever-expanding, kind and grateful life.
Gassho,
Ann