The tasks of a pilgrim

I admit that I have found it difficult to be always on the move and also be interior in meditation. Many others seem to have this capability, but I struggle. The first week or so we moved from place to place. Changchub(once she arrived) and I have been caring for the group members physical needs. I am doing a lions' share of the preventative work with such things as essential oils to fight colds and sinus problems (eucalyptus & pine), mosquito spray (an essential oil blend that includes citronella- this has become quite popular and when folks spot a mosquito the spray comes out and makes the rounds), and the prevention of the Indian version of "Montezuma's revenge". My preventative is palmarosa oil. I put 1 drop in each person's bottle of water. It doesn't taste great, but it is tolerable. One sangha member used it for 2-3 days and then didn't use it for one day. Then out came the pepto bismol and ginger to treat the nausea and diarrhea. So you'd think we'd all know to be careful. The bus ride to Bodgaya was 6-8 hours long and we stopped once for a bathroom break. Knowing this, I didn't drink much so I wouldn't be suffering in the bus needing a bathroom. It worked. However, when I was assigned to my room in Bodgaya, it had a bathroom without a toilet (almost everyone else had a toilet). Instead there is this porcelain hole in the ground and you are supposed to squat over it to go. Maybe 10 years ago that would have been okay). Two floors below me was a women's restroom off the main lobby with a toilet, so I made the trip down 2 floors every time I needed to use it. So, I just kept up not drinking much. You can see the story develop, can't you? Once I stop drinking, I am also not getting my palmarosa. Yup, for 1 day, I was the one being treated for nausea and vomiting. I AM TIRED OF THE TASTE OF PALMAROSA, but it's better than the alternative. Even Rinpoche sends her bottle of water to get a drop. I even hear rumors that she doesn't mind the taste. I brought enough palmarosa to treat water for the entire group for the length of pilgrimage. Once prevention has not worked, Changchub comes in with her treatments.

So moving around, being sick and then recovering and other distractions have made it a challenge for me to be meditative. Ngawang Pema has been most helpful. I requested suggestions from her on how to correct this situation and she keeps a gentle eye on me offering suggestions every now and then - walk slower, soften your gaze, look at Inner Guru, don't lean forward when taking care of the health issues - whatever is appropriate to the moment.

Here in Bodgaya, I finally got the material I need for my summer robes (20 meters of dark maroon fabric). Trying to find a tailor to get the sewing accomplished was another thing. For some reason, I ran into obstacle after obstacle. I began to suffer from that unique form of self-cherishing identifiable as "poor me". It began to get stronger and very frustrating. Yesterday many of us changed rooms as other guests checked out. I now have a bathroom with a toilet (sheer luxury!) and my room is directly below Rinpoche's. Then it occurred to me, "Sangmo, do tonglen." Of course! Duh! In about 2 minutes with a good dose of tonglen, self-cherishing reduces dramatically. Why had it taken me so long to apply the remedy?

Meditation was good! And this morning, I went to a tailor who took my order, measurements and specifications in short order. It was so easy. Hmmm, so there's an energetic shift for me. Now to the tasks of pilgrimage.

may there be a rain of dharma