Grains of Sand

We had a great turn out at this Tuesday evening’s U30 group. The circle was so full, some of us were literally rubbing knees!

At the beginning of the discussion, our fearless leader, Nick, began by asking us about why so many of us ventured through Boston’s cold slick streets to meditate at the Shambhala center. Really, what brought us there? Some of us wanted to practice with a community. A few mentioned they wanted to share their homemade food with others. There was also a desire to rekindle a strong family connection with Buddhism. Others were searching for relaxation, dealing with anxiety, or were simply curious.

Whatever our motivation for going to U30, it certainly takes some courage. We stop, sit quietly, and meditate in a room full of other people we don’t know. That is rare in our society. By being there we offer our presence and support for others in their practice. Many of us speak up and share our internal realizations and experiences with others. At U30, we apply traditional Shambhala teachings to our own lives. We tell personal stories about everything from work, class, interactions with roommates and partners, misadventures on public transportation, and the battle over the dreaded dish pile in the sink. Whether we can relate to each other’s stories or not, sometimes it just means so much for another person to be heard . We become stronger in our practice and a little less fearful each week by doing so. This is what makes U30 so special and we appreciate all who come to be present, real, and mindful meditators.

During the second part of our discussion, Nick brought up a great metaphor for what our minds tend do during meditation practice. Imagine grains of sand swirling around in a glass of water. You keep twirling your finger in the water to churn up its contents because you want to see what’s in the glass: the different colors, shapes, sizes. So many grains, rocks, and pebbles come into view only to get muddled again. But, if you let it alone, the heavier particles will start to fall to the bottom, followed by the lighter sand and silt. Though it may seem settled, if you look closely there may be shiny flecks of minerals still dancing about in the water. After what seems like such a long time, the water is finally crystal clear. If you look at the sand you can finally see individual pieces. Perhaps there are striated bands of sand distinguished by size or color. Naturally, your mind is that swirling glass of sand not allowing anything to settle. You jump from thought to thought, sometimes without rhyme or reason. Through meditation, we begin to slow down and see our thoughts individually for what they are. In our everyday lives, we begin to notice when we are angry, nervous, excited, sad, or stressed without those emotions churning everything up.

I would like to extend the metaphor even further. We are all grains of sand and silt swirling around in this city going this way and that through the water…never stopping...never having a moment of true clarity. When we start meditating, we become the sparkling grains that move slower in the middle of the chaos, eventually escaping the cloud and settle at the bottom together.