A diet for the mind.
I opened my eyes and saw all the books piled up around me in the temple house. Mindfulness, meditation, Loving Kindness, “Who is my self”, Boddhisatvas. A diet for my mind.
In the main shrine wisps of incense, chanting in Chinese rhythmic and soothing. It was like applying a soothing balm to the heart and soul.
Outside in the quadrangle the monk was waiting with a bucket and cloths. “See all these novice monks, guardian statues and Bodhisatvas in the garden, I want you to wash them all down.” He paused and smiled. I gulped, there were rows and rows and rows of them. “When you wash them, I want you to imagine that you are clearing your mind, cleaning your mind until it is clear and shining just like the statues will be.”
In the hot sun, that’s what I did ALL DAY, only breaking for lunch.
At night I fell asleep surrounded by all the books. I had sooo much to learn and had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Your Mindfulness Lifestyle Invitation
So I invite you to do the same, when you are wiping your kitchen bench or dining table that you are clearing away your negative thoughts so that your mind can be as clear as a quartz crystal, calm as a lake and expansive as the sky.
If it sounds like something from “Karate Kid” it did to me too. BUT…..we’re just getting started.
Stay tuned as I share my journey from the temple to the psych ward.
