Mindfulness in the toilet, Part #2 (cartoon)

B&B; Dhr. Seven, Jason, Ellie, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly

Mindfulness means awareness of all one is doing or experiencing in the present.

Enlightened advice

"We practice to learn letting go." - Ajahn Chah

There is a funny story told about the enlightened Thai Buddhist Meditation Master Ajahn Chah (ajahnchah.org). It seems there was once a young Western monk who was stressed and dissatisfied with the monastic life. He had left a very beautiful girlfriend back home, and he missed her. His erotic thoughts about her pestered him and often ruined his meditation.

Hi, Jason! Want to come to the museum with us?

Such intrusive thoughts left him agitated, dejected, confused, and filled with great sensual longing and misgivings about having abandoned the worldly life to live the left-home life in the beautiful and peaceful Thai forest.

One day while standing with another monk on the road in Isan, a car pulled up. It was Ajahn Chah's driver, and the great master was in the front seat. He motioned them, asking if they would like a ride back to Wat Pah Nanachat, the international Buddhist meditation center. They were about to jump in. But the young Western monk did not feel worthy. He hesitated. His friend convinced him that it was all right.

Wat Pah Nanachat ("International Forest Monastery") for Westerners, Northeast Thailand

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Ask the meditation master. He knows everything.

In the car Ajahn Chah sensed something was not right with the white monk, only a year into his training. He asked if it was by any chance a girl? The young monk was shocked that the great master might understand such things as tug at a young man's fancy and cleave painfully to his heart.

Ajahn Chah asked if it was possible for the young monk to perhaps contact the girl. It was, but what was the use? Ajahn Chah suggested that it might help his meditation greatly if he requested her to send him something, a reminder of herself and all that he left behind.

Love letter and lock of hair (NA)

The young monk's eyes widened. He was very interested and in awe of Ajahn Chah's liberal mindedness. But what would I do with the token she sent me? Monks aren't allowed to have anything but the five requisites and maybe some books.

Well, Ajahn Chah suggested, you could put it in a bottle with a cork, maybe wear it around your neck? And then that way every time you felt great longing for her, at night when you really missed her and what you had had with her, you could uncork it and take a little whiff.

The monk was ecstatic at the possibility and honored at the special exemption he was being offered by their great master. He said, you mean like a lock of her hair or a perfumed love letter or used stockings? No, Ajahn Chah, explained:

Sure, I can send you something.

I was thinking you ask her for some of her _ _ _ _ and keep that in the bottle. That way every time you miss her, you take the slightest whiff, and I don't think you'll miss her much anymore. You'll be filled with revulsion. And it should do wonders for your meditation and letting go.

The young monk pursed his lips and smiled. He should have known better than to think he could get away with some alluring reminder of the cramped home-bound life he left behind. His meditation improved dramatically just calling to mind the great master's advice, and there was not even any need to contact his ex.

My ex? He wants something? I'll send that S.O.B. a reminder of me he'll never forget!