Stopping for Joshua Bell - Page 7

 

With a certain attitude, every thing is significant. With an "Are we there yet?" mentality, we are doomed. I've seen this in national parks. In a matter of minutes, some tourists will drive into a parking area, jump out of their cars, take a picture and be on their way again. No one has taught them that to enjoy a natural place, one must sit down, be quiet and look, simply look, for a long time. My own egregious example of this is a deeply entrenched rule that I cannot rest or relax until all my work is done. What a deal. I could die of old age before I have met all my responsibilities and done all my chores.

We all live surrounded by temple bells. It can be the ding of an e-mail, the sight of a taxi, a seed pod twirling to the ground or the aroma of coffee. I've coached myself to breathe deeply at stop signs and to be aware of my thoughts, my body and my emotions. Most of the time, I forget to do this, but the one in a thousand times when I actually succeed, I enjoy it. I feel calm and relaxed and I drive on refreshed.

I spend much of my time mired in habitual thinking and monkey mind, but I am now aware that our ordinary ways of seeing are but curtains that cover the radiance all around us. When I am fortunate enough to see that radiance, I am comforted. I am less frightened and more optimistic. I trust the universe and my place in it. I do not fear death for myself or for others. I sense that ultimately every thing will be all right for all of us.

The universe seems to be much kinder than I ever imagined.

I hear stories from my friends that inspire me to create yet more moments. A musician named Chris told me about playing music in Kansas. He stayed at the home of an elderly patron of the arts. This woman sponsored many musicians and invited them to stay in her third-floor apartment. Most refused because the woman was a big talker, but Chris enjoyed her conversations. She was intelligent and kind and told him incredible stories. The last time Chris played in her town, this woman was in the hospital dying, but she insisted on returning to her home to host Chris. They had a wonderful last visit. She told him how much his friendship and visits had meant to her. Chris created some sacred time with this woman. He had stopped for Joshua Bell.

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