Day 21

My family unit of four sat down for Rosh Hashanah dinner for exactly one hour. For the first time ever, my mom made a one-course meal, instead of ten. My dad was talking about the end of the world and how we shouldn't worry because the end of the world doesn't mean that the whole world dies at once, just parts of it, which made us all laugh. Then, we heard something fall in the kitchen. My mom, my sister, and I went did not give it another thought ; while, my dad could not get over what fell and whether it was a rat, but he told us not to worry because it's not the end of the world. 

Then, my mom gave my sister and I five lottery tickets each for the year 5,000 in case the world doesn't come to an end.

As I sat listening and being with my family, I basked in gratitude for all the blessings in my life. I basked in each of our personalities and how the four of us came together in this universe. Every single occurrence in the universe happened in order to bring about our foursome together. And it's true for every family, every situation, and every individual. How can I not be grateful for what IS knowing that every step taken, every right and wrong decision made by every single being on this planet and possibly universe, and every natural and unnatural occurrence all happened to bring about this one single moment. If that's not winning the lottery, I don't know what is.

The Practice

Morning meditation - 30 minutes
Morning yoga - 1 hour

Reflection

Sometimes I wonder if doing meditation is necessary. Every person who practices meditation will tell you that they doubted the practice at one point or another. And some spiritual teachers and awakened individuals will tell you that meditation is an escape from what is and it gives you more time to "get there." So, for three years, ever since my focus shifted from the unfulfilling past and problematic future into the now, I did not meditate, I sat on a chair for 10 or 15 minutes a day, a few times a week. Plus, I was too busy and had more important things to do. Then, this summer came around and all of a sudden, I  did not have that much to do. I found myself sitting a lot. One thing led to another and I was meditating.

The point that I'm trying to make is that meditation practice will not help you nor will it hurt you. You can do it or you don't have to do it. It's all the same. But what I'm finding for myself is that if it's all the same, then I'm going to do what I'm drawn to. Have I felt the benefits? Sure. I'm more grounded, relaxed, and joyous. Am I using it as an escape? Maybe. But if it makes me more relaxed and joyous and I'm not hurting myself or anyone around me, then I choose to escape. However, it's not a substitute for living in breath-awareness before and after meditation as well. What it does for me is that it brings me home and with every remembrance it brings me home.

You need it until you don't need it, I suppose.