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What I am looking for is a blessing not in disguise.
-Kitty O'Meill Collins
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From "Nothing Left Unsaid," by Kitty O'Meill Collins:
Buddhist teacher and author Jack Kornfield shares a powerful ritual that his teacher Achaan Chah taught him. In the ritual he calls "Taking the One Seat," you are advised to take a seat in the center of a room, open all the doors and windows, and see who comes to visit. "You will witness all kinds of scenes and actions, all kinds of temptations and stories, everything imaginable. Your only job is to stay in your seat. You will see it all arise and pass, and out of this, wisdom and understanding will come."
If you can't put a seat in the center of a room, a hospital bed or even a centrally located chair in a waiting area can provide you with an adequate vantage point from which to view the drama of life as it unfolds about you. Recline or sit in as relaxed a manner of possible, slowing down your breathing and opening your heart to compassionately embrace whatever happens to cross your path. People may come and go, bringing with them all manner of busyness, desire, anger, frustration or shame-but you may also come in contact with compassion, happiness, love, and resolution.
Be open to whatever comes your way. As you are able and willing, silently offer a simple blessing with each new person, situation, thought, or feeling that arises. You could say something to yourself along the lines of "Bless this crying child," "Bless this bossy nurse," "Bless this fear," and so on.
Continue this ritual of acceptance and compassion as long as you wish.
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