Not thinking works!

photo from Special Achievers

                                                   
It's true what my monk friends admonish, whatever is your right will come to you.

The same day I posted that article I receive a call to help facilitate a team building session for a pharmaceutical company.  My mind says I am not qualified but my instinct says go for it.

Since I've been practicing 'not thinking' lately, I said yes.  I am glad I did.

On our way to the event, we fetched the owner of the company at the airport.  She was a classmate in meditation but we never really got the chance to sit down and talk prior to this meeting.  She was very warm and showed interest in the non-profit organization for persons with disability I co-founded with  3 other colleagues.

"I received the orange bag as a gift and  I love it!" she exclaimed. 

She then asked about our artists, how they discovered their gifts and how focusing on their strengths help them.

By the end of our conversation, she had a brilliant idea, "How about we showcase 18 artworks of children with disability in the company's calendar which will be distributed to doctors all over the Philippines and meditation students across the globe". 

"I want to see angels, flowers, even abstract designs", she excitedly shared.  "Let them paint or draw whatever they want to".

"My theme for this project is from thorns to flowers.  Until now, some people still could not embrace those who are different.  Let us emphasize their greatness!  They are flowers not thorns.  Let's show the world what these special children can do."

I wanted to jump up and down in the moving car right there and then.  You see, our organization can only afford to feature 2 special achievers a year and she's giving us an opportunity to put a spotlight on the creativity and artistry of 18 kids this year!  Moreover, the company would take care of the production and distribution.   

Thank you very much, PROSEL for this beautiful collaboration.

I'm so glad, I trusted my guts and did not over think.


Postscript:  If you have a disability or know someone with special needs who has a portfolio of artworks, please feel free to send at least 3 pictures (or more) of his/her masterpieces at Differently Special Achievers Movement with a short description of the artist and his/her talent on or before July 16, 2014. Thank you.          

'Whatever is your right will come to you'

image from http://barakadefoto.com

I enjoy hanging out with monks.  They have a very simple yet profound take on things.

"How will I know the right path for me?", I asked Sister Sushila, the coordinator of the retreat center I volunteer in during my weekends.  She gave me a one-liner , "Choose that one which makes you happy".

I was waiting for a long lecture but she didn't say anything else.

My heart tells me that it is the right thing to do but my left brain wants to get to the how-to's.

So, I  posed the same query to Sister Natalie (the same one I had a chit chat with the other time).  Her reply was shorter, "Do not think."

These monks are driving me crazy.  I went to them for answers but I end up asking more questions, such as "How do you do that?!"

"Just flow", she said.  "Just as the water from the river follows the jagged path until it reaches the ocean".

For a week, I've been pondering about the idea of 'not thinking' until Sister Agnes, the resident in the meditation center in Manila unknowingly blurted out the magic words.  In her usual upbeat voice and smiling face (sometimes, I mistake her for a clown) she enthusiastically related, "Karen, whatever is your right will come to you!".

In that instant, all the puzzle pieces fit.

I don't have to split my head thinking about the future because if I'm ready the next track will present itself.  I always hear the line "When the student is ready the teacher will appear".  In the same way, if I am happy with where I am at the moment, the right path will surface.  It is best to accept how things are (a.k.a. flow).  Overthinking and discontentment serve as a fog which covers the roads I have to choose from.  When it has dissipated then it is easy to make the right decision because I can clearly see which road truly makes me happy.

My monk friends are right, it doesn't take rocket science.  I simply have to just be and 'whatever is my right will come to me'.

Dearest Papa

I seriously doubt you'll read this

You never go online 

Still, I want to tell the world 

How awesome you are

So here goes...

Thank you for teaching me 

How to find joy in the simplest of things.  

I bought you a toothbrush once

Couldn't forget how you showed it off to mama

As though you received a gold watch  

And, you've always believed in my ideas

No matter how crazy it may seem

When I told you about yogic agriculture

In an instant you said, "I'll have a nipa hut built for you"

"So, you can meditate in the middle of the farm"

When I was into organic stuff

You drove for me until we reached the mountain

Where the natives live and process their produce

The whole family thought it's something I'll start but never finish

But,  you simply allowed me to go through this phase

And you support me, inspite of my absurdities 

When I told you that I want to be a monk

You didn't say anything

Instead, you gave me a land title

And said I can get my share

I've never heard "it can't be done" from you

You always let me dream

And you will accompany me even to the ends of the earth to pursue it

You always tell me that I'm great

Even when I can't see it

Whenever, I go home you'll always be at the pier to pick me up

And when I'm down and out, you say "It'll pass"

I must have done something right to deserve a dad as wonderful as you

I will forever thank God for putting you in my life

To my number one fan, Happy Father's Day! 

Chit-Chat with a Monk

How does one become like you?, I asked a monk. 

Simple, do not have any desires, she answered back.

How do you do that?!, I exclaimed (what I really meant was, Is that even possible?)

My disbelief did not ruffle her calm countenance at all.  In a soft and gentle voice, she replied.  I ask myself, what is important in this life?  For me, this is the time to give back all the attainments that I receive from God so I serve.

What attainments?, I queried.

Happiness, contentment, security. 

How about financial security?, I followed up.

Yes, I think of that too, sometimes.  You know the organization does not take care of my personal needs (or even medical bills).  But, I do not worry because whenever I need something, it comes without me asking.

She is a big lady, still quite young- probably in her early forties.  She is wearing faded jeans and over-sized shirt at the time of the (informal) interview.  She does not look like a nwassi (center resident) of a spiritual community but her face betrays her.  She has a huge smile plastered on her face, an aura of both wisdom and humility and a distinct twinkle in her eyes.    

Wherever you are, whatever you do, what's important is you're happy.  That goes for everyone- regardless of gender, age, position, or race., she continued.

The only thing I give here is my skill in baking and cooking- that's all.  I'm very happy to do that.

I commented, I tried to cook in the center once. (as you might have known, I am a monk wannabe)  It's not easy because I have to pay close attention to my thoughts.  I know that whatever I'm thinking and feeling will go into the food and will affect those who will eat it. What you do is not at all simple.

If I think, I'm responsible every time I go inside the kitchen that will create tension.  I choose to think that I'm simply the sous chef and God is the master chef.  (Hence, she's not the one in-charge. He is.)

Also, when you say this has to be done in a certain way, there's some force in it.  You mold yourself according to a certain standard.  It's better to be natural about it.  

I didn't know that I am some kind of a constipated jerk until I heard that.  I want to be like this. I want to do that.  Yes, material possessions do not tag me but to-do lists and plans still pull me.

Sensing that I'm berating myself, she advised.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Just continue to be who you are wherever you are.  She reiterated, Be natural.

We both travel the same path to self-enlightenment.  She's definitely eons ahead of me.  

I continued our Q & A. What about the future?

What about the future?, she answered back.  

I've heard that monks are distant from the world. Today, I just experienced it.