She stood at the corner of 71st and Riverside holding up a handmade sign. As cars approached the traffic light, she would thrust her creation over the curb. Her right hand flitted over each letter. Then her hand underlined the crudely worded message. She then used her pointer finger to delicately trace the image she had pasted to the flimsy poster board. When there were no cars stopped at the light, she spun around flashing her message to all who would look in her direction. She was relentless. She never stopped. She did not have a chair nearby to sit. There was no water bottle by her side.
The sign proclaimed her life’s philosophy in four words. She most definitely wanted to share this with the part of the world that drove past her. She had condensed her world view to four words. It was no doubt a message that brought her peace and comfort. It was her simple mantra for bliss. “His Pain. Your Gain.”
Advent is the liturgical period of beginnings. For one who tries to practice a contemplative life, it is a season determined to derail any inner peace. It is the time for turkeys to be thawed, parties to be planned, gift lists to be assembled. Images of the upcoming holidays intrude during times snatched away for reflection and meditation. Dancing sugar plums and men in strange red suits are not conducive to mindfulness in the present moment.
Perhaps this is the time to reflect on your personal philosophy and to craft your personal mantra which brings inner peace. Pare your beliefs to a very Zen-like four words. These would be words, upon meditation, initiate a stream of bliss and confidence. Some might want to start with a formal statement of spirituality or with an ancient creed, then chip away the words, as Michelangelo chipped away the extraneous marble to reveal a figure of beauty.
Write the result in your spirit and take your words wherever you go.
The Quiet Corner