| This article is about something that is a wonderful | | | | he returns, his daily sadhana (spiritual practice) is back |
| part of all our lives. We each enjoy this activity and | | | | to square one as he is unable to pick up where he |
| participate in it regularly, but, unfortunately this | | | | left off. So Master Blumise has spoken to all the |
| activity can be quite dangerous to the health of your | | | | places he likes to go vacationing and gotten him |
| meditation, yoga and other spiritual practice. Here is a | | | | barred from everywhere." |
| little story to help shed some light on this curious | | | | "Well, Master Blumise certainly is an interesting friend |
| puzzle. | | | | to have," acknowledged Tataga now having |
| Monk Tataga was a new member of No Wind | | | | understood. |
| Monastery and he was busy familiarizing himself with | | | | Vacations, wonderful absolutely, but, it's the one |
| his new duties and responsibilities. He had been given | | | | event I have seen time and again be a disruptive |
| 2 major tasks to start out with. The first was to be | | | | force in the establishing of a spiritual practice, |
| the driver for Zen Master Blumise, and the second | | | | especially for beginners. Does this mean you should |
| was to work the front desk and guest reservations | | | | get yourself black listed from all your favorite |
| at the new Monastery Spa. Both tasks were well | | | | vacation spots. Well, no of course not. What this |
| within his abilities and he was confident of being able | | | | means is you need to be cognizant that vacations |
| to handle them without much difficulty, except for | | | | can derail a bourgeoning meditation, yoga, health, |
| just one item that was confusing to him. Wanting | | | | fitness or other such practice. |
| clarity, he approached senior Monk Tara for | | | | One of the hardest parts in these practices is |
| clarification regarding it. | | | | establishing consistency, and early in the life cycle, |
| "Taraji, one item in my list of responsibilities has me | | | | when inspiration is high, is a key time to make it an |
| very confused," he said. "You see, the other day I | | | | integral part of your daily routine. You may be about |
| drove Master Blumise to the city and dropped him at | | | | to get there, where a day without meditation or |
| Henry Brown's house to spend the weekend. This of | | | | yoga feels incomplete and then comes the trip to |
| course would be fine, except that when I work the | | | | Disney Land and when you return, you are back |
| front desk, it says there clearly that Mr. Henry Brown | | | | where you started from. |
| is not to be allowed into the spa under any | | | | If possible, of course, continue your practice while on |
| circumstances? So I thought he must be a big trouble | | | | vacation, but, often I find these good intentions to |
| maker or unwanted person, because, he is the only | | | | be a bit unrealistic. So, go on vacation, but, on your |
| person who is on the "Do Not Allow In" list. So now I | | | | way back home hone your intent to immediately get |
| am confused about this whole situation with Mr. | | | | back to your beautiful practice. There may be a |
| Brown." | | | | whole slew of excuses just waiting to challenge you |
| Tara had a big laugh and said, "Henry and Master | | | | when you return, so it could take a bit of willpower |
| Blumise are actually very good friends." | | | | to put it back on track initially. But just do it! I |
| "Good friends? Now I am even more lost," replied a | | | | guarantee that you will be glad you did. |
| befuddled Tataga. | | | | Summer here in the North Eastern US is vacation |
| "Yes, you see Henry has been trying for years to | | | | season and I have several excellent students who |
| establish a strong meditation practice. He is actually | | | | are enjoying holidays in all corners of the world. I am |
| able to get it going, but, Henry loves to go on | | | | keen to see them back on the path when they |
| vacations. Every time his practice is about to take | | | | return. Let's see if they are able to survive the |
| hold, he has an urge for another vacation and when | | | | dangers of vacation. |