Milestones and Michaelangelo
Totally dissimilar halves of a whole post
While I’ve been meditating on and off for decades, it never occurred to me to track it until I had an app that automatically does it for me. I use the free version of Insight Timer (I don’t use a lot of the other programming and content it provides to paid users who are generally newer to the practice), and today marks my 100th consecutive day of meditating 33 minutes a sit, which I usually conduct at about 0515 in the morning.
100 of anything sounds nice, so sure, I guess I feel good about it. If it were a sports milestone it would be a “personal best,” and if it were a birthday, cake would be served and people would gather around to celebrate. It’s a number that “keeps score” in a culture that’s data-obsessed, so it serves a function, but is it actually meaningful?
I’ll grant that the milestone works as a symbol of discipline and dedication. I’ve now done 100 days without problem, so I can do a hundred more. I’m not ticking any boxes or crossing things off a ‘bucket list’ though, because that’s not only not the point of meditation, but even more so, it’s counter to the point of practice at all. That just doesn’t make sense.
We (should) meditate to meditate, and that’s all. Benefits will accrue, physically, mentally, and spiritually, but they are beside the point. When it’s done well, sitting on a block doing nothing and letting the mind go off on its own for long enough until the thoughts and sensations begin to thin out almost completely is the point. Whether done twice or twenty thousand times, it always provides the opportunity to transcend the noise and find space, peace, and presence. It’s like a Wayback Machine where you go nowhere but where you are.
And now, onto the koan! This being #14
Attend an art gallery opening.
First you have to find one to go to. Then you have to make sure you can get in, and you’ll want to have something to say. Going with someone will likely be less awkward, and it’s perhaps easier to meet people with a wing man. Talk with strangers about the art or anything else. Meet the artist if they’re in the crowd. Have a plastic cup of wine, maybe two, but no more. Flirt. If you’re already a habitué on the art scene, then maybe go see an exhibition at the local high school or cafe. Go in with the mindset of learning something new, and dispensing with something old.