Again, I want to thank you all for your love and support. It means so much to me and reminds me of just how important it is to have this family. We’re so special, aren’t we? We’re there for each other, no matter what. And you know I’m always there for you guys through thick or thin, right?
Blog member, Michelle, sent me this beautiful YouTube video which I think so perfectly describes the situation we, those who have lost loved ones, are in. Enjoy:
Enough sadness. Hopefully Buddha can cheer us up. He always does, you know. Sorry this is a short one. But it is a very powerful one. Promise. Plus the pictures are cute.
Me: One blog member wants to know what advice you can give us on meditation.
Buddha: Do not give up.
Jamie leans back in her chair, claps her hands and laughs.
Me: That’s a big one. I’ve already given up, Buddha. I’ve given up. My mind has too many monkeys.
Buddha: Why are you letting the—
Jamie: Oh, this is a question to ask yourself.
Buddha: Why are you letting the external routine: the career, the schedule interfere with the lesson of disciplining the mind? Meditation is not about getting the mind to turn off or go blank. This is a falsity—
Jamie: Is that a word?
Me: Oh yeah.
Buddha: –that has been taught for many centuries. Meditation—
(Pause)
Jamie (to Buddha): Yeah.
Buddha: The purpose of meditation is to get the mind to recognize human judgment. When the mind can recognize it, it can then begin to pull it away from the daily experience. This is what will allow joy to come from within, because you will truly be able to hold your own responsibility, your own definitions of self, and not allow external life to influence and change the way that you would react. Life is about being in service, but it’s not about being in service to others; it’s about being in service to self.
Me: Wow.
Buddha: And it starts first with the mind. Meditation is an understanding, not a quieting.
Me: Oh, interesting. So, the monkeys in the mind—you want to get rid of the judging monkeys, is that right?
Buddha: Yes, and you let the other monkeys go and play.
Me: Okay. I’ve got a lot of monkeys playing. I’ve got a whole jungle gym set up in there in my mind. I really do. It would put the McDonalds playgrounds to shame.
Jamie laughs.
