Mind of satisfaction

If you haven't figured it out from this blog yet, anyone can have the qualities of a pilgrim without being a pilgrim on the outside. But while we have all been softening our gaze at personality and identity, we have not been looking strongly at the qualities of a pilgrim. And why should we?

As Menma said, "We were practitioners, we were pilgrims, and we simply were..."

But now in reflection, it seems like a good time to take note of these qualities. So here I am thinking about the mind of satisfaction.

While we were in India, lots of unexpected and difficult things happened. People got very sick with colds, flu, and sick tummies. Flights were cancelled with dangers of international flights being missed. Buses had to travel long periods over potentially dangerous road. Were were stuck in cities with no hotel reservations. And on and on. But you rarely heard about them in this blog.

Why?

Because they were never really an issue at all. In the scheme of things, they barely mattered. The only reason they are worth mentioning at all is that they weren't worth mentioning.

Why?

Because the mind of satisfaction was unwavering in the entire group.

Sure we talk about salads and hot showers. But not because we were dissatisfied with our accommodations. We talk about them because we appreciate the convenience that they afford in caring for our bodies so that we can spend more time thinking about practice. I do appreciate not having to watch all my food to make sure that I am avoiding unsafe foods because this energy can be put to practice. I do appreciate hot water all the time so that I do not have to spend extra time planning how I will stay warm in order to avoid a cold. But I was just as satisfied in India.

And because of that, things are much simpler. Satisfied with what you have, delighted with the unexpected. Life is less complicated. Energy is freed up for more important things. ANd the craving, gnawing itch that something must be had is forgotten, nullified, completely gone. Abandoned, totally replaced.

MIND OF SATISFACTION.

What a wonderful thing. And its totally contagious. Try it sometime.