Finding Quiet

I just came back from a meditation retreat that, in retrospect, I’m glad I participated in.  I didn’t want to go.  I thought the few days I was going to spend in a place that required traveling two days was going to basically nullify any good the contemplation would bring, if at all!  So somewhat muttering under my breath, I went.  Cranky and sleep-deprived upon arriving at the site, the smile that greeted me immediately washed away the crankiness.  I said hello to the rest of the group and begged off the day’s practice so I could sleep. I didn’t think there was any point in sitting when my mind would most likely wander off into all sorts of distractions!  I was convinced there was no point!

I found the sleeping quarters, was too tired to make my bed so I plopped my body unto the couch and took a nap. To my surprise, I woke up well before the scheduled first lecture and joined the group settling around our teacher.  The first few words that came out of his mouth literally felt like someone was bushwhacking inside my consciousness and cleared away all the clutter I had held on to in there and for the first time in two months, my mind was relatively quiet – and clear! I was filled with gratitude and knew that I was in the right place.  I needed this retreat more than I owned up to. And so glad that despite the mind preoccupied with distractions, I found my way to quiet.