"The church says: The body is a sin. Science says: The body is a machine. Advertising says: The body is a business. The body says: I am a fiesta." -Eduardo Galeano

I've found a new joy recently while helping others. There isn't much in the form of monetary gain from this kind of work, but the spiritual profits are immeasurable. Over the last several years my dear friend started a business selling produce to the local community. His customers typically didn't have the transportation necessary to leave this rural area and visit the supermarket. He would often tell me about the satisfaction he received from the smiling faces as he handed out another watermelon, ear of corn or cantaloupe to an elderly neighbor.

So as I follow in his footsteps this summer, "The Melon Man" has spent the last several weeks transporting hundreds of pounds of delicious fruits and vegetables from the rich farming valley into the hot desert. I'm starting to believe I was a farmer in a former life. Or at the very least I may have been a vegetarian.

Why am I sharing this? I realize this blog has been mainly focused on the practice of mindfulness. I wanted this to be a diary of sorts; one that I might look back on and observe progress, motivations, etc. So I need to document some real life examples of living a spiritually-minded lifestyle... and whatever that means!?

All of this becomes very hard to put into words. I can't explain with much accuracy the feeling I get each day from living differently. I trust this path to enlightenment as I trust so many other things in life without immediate proof. For example, I trust Einstein's Theory of Relativity to be well-founded, because I believe in the accuracy of math. Since I learned at an early age that one plus one does in fact equal two, I feel comfortable assuming other math based findings are accurate. If I'm still doubtful, I can explore the concepts personally and become more knowledgeable until I have the wisdom to discover these truths for myself.

My practice in mindfulness meditation is no different. While becoming the observer of my thoughts I've enjoyed many positive results. My mind spins out of control less often. I don't become disappointed with the actions of others. Compassion has replaced feelings of apathy, jealousy and condemnation.

"If the recipe doesn't produce a cake, throw it out!" -Venerable Robina Courtin

I can compare insight meditation, or the practice of Vipassana, to physical exercise. Sore muscles and fatigue are signs of physical conditioning (lifting weights, yoga, running). So when I observe firsthand the positive mind states replacing negative ones (verifiable results), I can trust in the practice of mindfulness.

No pain no gain? Perhaps this is true with my practice. I've uncovered some agonizing truths through meditation. Having looked closely at my past stories, I've cried tears of joy and sadness, but have always managed to return my focus back on the present moment.

Vipassana is being taught to prisoners serving life sentences. Check out this documentary: http://www.dhammabrothers.com/Prison.htm While living a life behind bars, men imprisoned at Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama  learned to practice meditation and expressed feelings associated with a new found freedom. This was freedom from their minds. They actually came to terms with the horrific crimes they committed, took responsibility for their past actions and then sought to help others. If this isn't proof positive of the benefits of mindfulness, then I don't know what is.

I spent more than 30 years in a prison of my own making. Instead of walls, bars, and guards with guns, this institution was a scarier place. I surrounded myself with the fear of the unknown, lived in dread regarding my outward appearance and lashed out in uncontrollable anger toward situations, people and things regularly. I suppose it's better late than never when it comes to self realization. I can cite so many examples of what wasn't working for me. Why wouldn't I at least try and follow a different path?

"Follow your bliss. Find where it is and don't be afraid to follow it." -Joseph Campbell

Each of us has to find our own path. Thankfully there are signposts (in the forms of others traveling via a softer easier way) to help us blaze our trail. If I were to learn the piano, I wouldn't buy a Steinway and start pounding on the keys. I'd find the best teacher I could afford and take the quickest route to success. 

This is my path. I take guidance from others who've gone before me, ignore the popular greed-based advertisements telling me to buy the next item to increase my happiness, and I remain diligent. When my thoughts lean toward the "I'm too busy for meditation" excuses, then I know it's time to sit down and focus on my breathing. Works (almost) every time. When the results don't come immediately, I probably need to take another breath... or two.

Why? Because just like all things, THIS TOO SHALL PASS (impermanence) .

"Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." -Jamie Paolinetti

Make today your masterpiece,
Carl