I love my cell phone. It allows me to reach out to the world … talking to friends, buying concert tickets while standing in the most unlikely locations, reading the words of Ken Wilber or Stephen King. Plus it has a cool red case.
I was charging my lovely device yesterday. But it was time to go. The light was red, indicating that charging wasn’t done. I detached the cord and the display said “100%”. And I thought, “I’ve never seen that light switch from red to green. Think I’ll replug and sit for a few more minutes, and gaze lovingly at the light.” So I did.
And so the mind proceedeth. I was focused on my object of meditation for 30 seconds and then roamed off to another world.
“You’re not a very patient person, Bruce” … Return
“What’s wrong with you? You just spent three months in a meditation hall. How come you can’t maintain focus for more than a few seconds?” … Return
“What’s with all this self criticism? I thought you came home with lots of love for yourself?” … Return
“This is silly. You’re staring at a light” … Return
“What do these lights mean about change in your life, Bruce?” … Return
“I’m tired of this. Why doesn’t this light turn green?” … Return
“It’s a plot. That’s what it is. Unseen forces are conspiring against me” … Return
“Let go. Let it all go. Green will appear when green is ready to” … Return
“Don’t look away! You’ll miss the moment of change” … Return
“Concentrate!” … Return
Etcetera
Maybe eight minutes on, happily when I was looking at the display, red turned to green. I caught the moment I wanted to catch. And received a deep education about the wanderings of the mind.
I’ve learned that change in my life happens little by little. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and all that. But the lights show me something else. If I’m mindful of the moment, could there be instants of transformation just waiting for me? I think so. And now I’m watching for them. Thank you, dear lights.