Prayer Wheels
Astute readers will realize that I took a little journey across the globe recently. To Bhutan to meet up with my college roomie, Katherine, who was wrapping up a six month stay there and then to continue on with her to northern India. I was going deep into Buddhist territory: enlightenment, compassion and karma.
Now I'd only seen my first prayer wheel down in Santa Cruz while mountain biking through Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center two years ago. Looking back, I have no idea if I even spun it in the right direction (clockwise). But it was huge and beautiful and ornate and I was with a cute boy as dusk turned to night and I maneuvered to spin it without even understanding what it meant.
But now, my friends, I know. Traveling through Bhutan and India I must have spun 300+ prayer wheels. Huge, tiny, polished, weathered, colorful, subdued, wood, metal; atop mountainside monasteries and in unexpected alleys - I spun everything in front of me. All Katherine would tell me is that by spinning the prayer wheel I sent my prayers/thoughts out into the universe and that they were intended to be towards others, my inner giving way to the outer. None for moi? I had to beg Katherine to throw a couple of prayers my way hoping that I wouldn't catch her cold.
So to all friends and family loyally reading this blog, and to your parents and siblings and SOs and children, I hope the karma reaches you from across the world because I spun a lot of prayer wheels. With 20+ prayers wheels often staring at me in one place, I went through a long list of people in my life from as far back as I can remember and sent thoughts your way. Repeatedly. And Katherine, with your six months of karmic accumulation, thank you - I never got sick.
I'd like to think that some of the spiritual practice I tiptoed in during my journey came back to the 415 with me. Even just the inkling of a twinkling of a slight bit more awareness. I was feeling a little more calm for awhile. Was I kinder? More thoughtful? I'm not devoid of deeper layers but you get sideswept by life here. Running is my meditation. It actually does connect my inner and outer lives when I'm conscious of my thoughts. I'm possibly at my most compassionate alone on the trails. A lot of good being compassionate and alone does. But a prayer wheel here and there might help. Om mani padme hum.
Now I'd only seen my first prayer wheel down in Santa Cruz while mountain biking through Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat Center two years ago. Looking back, I have no idea if I even spun it in the right direction (clockwise). But it was huge and beautiful and ornate and I was with a cute boy as dusk turned to night and I maneuvered to spin it without even understanding what it meant.
But now, my friends, I know. Traveling through Bhutan and India I must have spun 300+ prayer wheels. Huge, tiny, polished, weathered, colorful, subdued, wood, metal; atop mountainside monasteries and in unexpected alleys - I spun everything in front of me. All Katherine would tell me is that by spinning the prayer wheel I sent my prayers/thoughts out into the universe and that they were intended to be towards others, my inner giving way to the outer. None for moi? I had to beg Katherine to throw a couple of prayers my way hoping that I wouldn't catch her cold.
So to all friends and family loyally reading this blog, and to your parents and siblings and SOs and children, I hope the karma reaches you from across the world because I spun a lot of prayer wheels. With 20+ prayers wheels often staring at me in one place, I went through a long list of people in my life from as far back as I can remember and sent thoughts your way. Repeatedly. And Katherine, with your six months of karmic accumulation, thank you - I never got sick.
I'd like to think that some of the spiritual practice I tiptoed in during my journey came back to the 415 with me. Even just the inkling of a twinkling of a slight bit more awareness. I was feeling a little more calm for awhile. Was I kinder? More thoughtful? I'm not devoid of deeper layers but you get sideswept by life here. Running is my meditation. It actually does connect my inner and outer lives when I'm conscious of my thoughts. I'm possibly at my most compassionate alone on the trails. A lot of good being compassionate and alone does. But a prayer wheel here and there might help. Om mani padme hum.
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