Zen & The Art Of Mindfulness

Dear One,

As I am writing this piece, my neighbor's dog is barking it's gut out in appreciation. Highway decibels are reaching an all time high. My mercury is rising bit by bit and then again I am writing this article on mindfulness. That's nothing short of a paradox.

Sometimes I think how the Masters of yore might have reacted to such mundane situations in their own lives. Imagine the blessed Buddha preparing to meditate and a watchful stray dog getting ready to bark. And thus ensures the holy war between sound and silence. Who do you think will win this wordless match? The dog barks and the Buddha smiles and closes his eyes into blissful oblivion.

Don't you ever feel the need for retiring to a space so sacred and still that all sounds dissolves in heavenly silence.

Zen tells us to 'Just be'. There will be times when all words fail to convey what we feel, then 'Just Be'. There will be sane people asking insane questions, even then 'Just Be'. Situations will take over the best of you, then too 'Just Be'. The world will one day dissolve as shown in 2012, so what? 'Just Be'

'Just Be' is being who you are, where ever you are, how ever you are. It is living in the present moment with complete awareness of your whole being. Deep inside you is the cave of the ancients where you can retire everyday to drown all earthly noises. By looking inside you shall someday find the meaning to everything that's outside.

By the way, my neighbor's dog is still barking; but now who cares?