I have been shoveling snow in McCall, skiing in our epic powder, and trying to learn to pay attention on purpose. After reading an article about 92 year old Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh who is thought of in the West as the father of mindfulness, I looked into his teachings. “He famously taught that we could all be bodhisattvas by finding happiness in simple things—in mindfully peeling an orange or sipping tea. A Buddha is someone who is enlightened, capable of loving and forgiving.”
I have to admit I enjoy an IPA called bodhizafa without realizing the origin or meaning of the name. Bohdi is a Sanskrit name meaning “awakened” or “enlightened”. The Buddhist concept of Bodhi is spiritual awakening and freedom from the cycle of life. I believe too many beers can make you feel enlightened but usually it is not the lasting nirvana that we should strive to attain.
As the Master prepares for transition to the next life he wrote in his own brushstroke the words tro ve – returning. Hahn’s teachings have had profound influence across the world. You do not have to travel to a mountain top to benefit from Buddhist wisdom. “Become aware of your breath and through that come to the present moment, where everyday activities take on a joyful and miraculous quality.” “If you are mindful, or fully present in the here and now, anxiety disappears and a sense of timelessness takes hold, allowing your highest qualities of kindness and compassion to emerge.”
Benjamin Franklin observed, “some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75” as he saw many sleepwalking through life.
Try deep breathing for 10 minutes, it is not easy but it does wonders for your stress level. Mike