this too

Storm before the calm. That's right. Last week, 6 teachers came to our house to be trained. By us. It's what we do. Only we hadn't done it in person since BC (Covid's BC not Jesussesss') so a few things needed to be organized. The road to hell was paved with all of my good intentions - 'have everything done before they arrive' being the primary one. We were on sched until the sink overflowed and the plumber's assistant drilled hole in our stone terrace which resulted in all of the sewage spilling all over that stone terrace. Baking in the hot sun. Needless to say it was a wee bit gross and stinky. Oh and did I mention that this was 2 hours before the guests were to arrive? And I probably should also mention that construction started a few doors down from us - rat-tat-tat-tat-TATATATATATATATATAT, I was driving around doing last minute errands though my licence is expired (nothing like breaking the law to get the old stress system pumped) my partner was sick, and I had yet to make food to last us through the training.

Weirdly, like really weirdly, I didn't get too overwhelmed. It felt overwhelming but it was also pretty funny. The primary worries were all future based - aren't they all? - and while the sky was falling or sewage spewing all around me, I actually felt calm on the inside. Why this was the case, I don't really know (though I do have theories*). But it felt pretty good.

It reminded me of the phrase "this too," that I'm sure I first heard in some buddhist circle - or rather enzo - somewhere. I interpret it a couple of ways. 1. This too shall pass - a nod to the intrinsic impermanence of all things and 2. Can I accept this also, this too whatever this happens to be at the time.

I wrote recently about 'everything is the path' and it sure felt like it on that bonkers day last week. My real life was happening, one insane moment after the other and everything that came my way was an opportunity to practice. Calmly breathing, slowly moving, one step in front of the other, taking care of this moment, then that moment. And even speeding up to sweep gunky water over the edge of the terrace (more physical activity that I had done since my body fizzled out on me) was done with patience and dare I say equanimity?

So my time alone 'on the mat' is helpful. It's actually really useful and practical. Because the meditation, the relationship cultivated with self and Self, that's what seems to transfer over to my normal, daily moments of being a human being moving through this unpredictable life. And isn't that the whole point? Or at least one of the points of a personal practice? How it helps you to live, laugh and love off the mat? How it helps you stay calm during storms? To sweep sewage while staying sane? How it helps you be a nicer person to yourself and others? How it helps you to engage more thoughtfully and consciously in this world? How, above all, it reminds you to do no harm? To yourself and others?

Yes, all of that too.