Byrd's Chicks

Mat Meets Bowl

A friend of mine who is over at my house often asked about my altar. She decided my bell (actually a Tibetan singing bowl) looks more like an overlarge food bowl. (Actually, I have another bell that IS formerly a food bowl, but that is another story). My friend has a wicked, laconic sense of humor. She delivered her concise summary of Buddhism. "Here's your mat, here's your bowl, now go meditate." Hey, at least she didn't suggest it was a dog bowl!

It was amusing, and also close to heart of a Buddhist practice - only the Buddha was purported to suggest an even more spartan practice... no mat, no bowl... just meditating.

For instance:
"Now go to the woods, to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut. Sit down in a crosslegged position and straighten your body. Establish present moment awareness right where you are."
(The Anapasanasati Sutra, translated by Glenn Wallis in his book "Basic Teachings of the Buddha").

Heck, he was even more concise than that. Check this out:
"Meditate! Do not be negligent!"
(The Parayana Sutra, also in Wallis' book)

Anyway, nowadays when I'm stressed, angry, acting in a way not befitting a buddha, my friend pipes up. "Go get your mat and bowl". I like to think that makes her a good example of a good friend in practice. This, in spite of her not being part of my designated formal sangha.

I often wonder how many others have heard any funny but relevant comments about their practice... It would be interesting to hear them.

Here's to mats and bowls,
Kris