A lot of times when we think of health and ailments regarding practice, we are thinking in big broad strokes. Debilitating diseases, degenerative conditions, lifelong difficulties... But the thing is, no matter what condition we are in health-wise, sometimes, we get sick.
Not, "Oh, this affects the rest of my life!" sick, just... You know... SICK sick.
I've gone through a run of pretty bad luck lately. Within the last month, I've had the flu, followed immediately by a really bad cold,and now I've got covid,, for the fourth time, whichever twisted evil strain of it we happen to be on now.
That's a long time to be sick, and I have to admit that this particular variant of covid is extra nasty. At this point I've had it so many times I feel like I'm a connoisseur...
The thing is, we practice with what is. Someone once said "You go to war with the Army you have, not the one you wish you had." At the time it made me really angry because of the context of setting, but it seems to apply a little better here. I have a lot of serious health conditions and right now I happen to be sick as hell. I can go ahead and wish it was different, or I can go on with my practice sitting with the way things are, and being in the present moment.
So, there's no way I'm going down to my meditation room today. I'm not putting on the robes. Won't be any bells or incense. I'm going to... just sit. Maybe even lay. Right here, in this bed, in this reality, with what is.
I'd like to feel better. But, this is how I DO feel now. So... Whether we are in a long-term, I'm going medical condition, or just wake up one morning feeling like hammered crap, we can sit with it. Maybe we'll feel better tomorrow.
I don't offer that as any kind of a teaching or instruction.
Just a little bit of encouragement, commiseration (and maybe a needed nudge,) for those of us who, for whatever reason, just woke up feeling lousy today.
ST
LAH
20240217_111201.jpg
Not, "Oh, this affects the rest of my life!" sick, just... You know... SICK sick.
I've gone through a run of pretty bad luck lately. Within the last month, I've had the flu, followed immediately by a really bad cold,and now I've got covid,, for the fourth time, whichever twisted evil strain of it we happen to be on now.
That's a long time to be sick, and I have to admit that this particular variant of covid is extra nasty. At this point I've had it so many times I feel like I'm a connoisseur...
The thing is, we practice with what is. Someone once said "You go to war with the Army you have, not the one you wish you had." At the time it made me really angry because of the context of setting, but it seems to apply a little better here. I have a lot of serious health conditions and right now I happen to be sick as hell. I can go ahead and wish it was different, or I can go on with my practice sitting with the way things are, and being in the present moment.
So, there's no way I'm going down to my meditation room today. I'm not putting on the robes. Won't be any bells or incense. I'm going to... just sit. Maybe even lay. Right here, in this bed, in this reality, with what is.
I'd like to feel better. But, this is how I DO feel now. So... Whether we are in a long-term, I'm going medical condition, or just wake up one morning feeling like hammered crap, we can sit with it. Maybe we'll feel better tomorrow.
I don't offer that as any kind of a teaching or instruction.
Just a little bit of encouragement, commiseration (and maybe a needed nudge,) for those of us who, for whatever reason, just woke up feeling lousy today.
ST
LAH
20240217_111201.jpg
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