Street Level Zen: Mindfulness

"One uncomfortable explanation for why so many aspects of modern life corrode our attention is that they do not merit it."

Casey Cep


(Photo courtesy of Carlos Ebert and Wikimedia Commmons.)

WW: Transparent water tank

(How do you hide a giant water tank? Well, if you're the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, you paint an exact replica of the scene passersby would see if the tank weren't there. The scale and colours are perfect. Highly effective, even on this cloudy day.)

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

Wind Mind

Many years ago, I learned from Thich Nhat Hanh – either in one of his books or a recorded teisho – a useful meditation technique. When, he said, your mind is roiling and you're having a hard time settling into a sit, repeat this couplet silently to yourself on the in and out breath:

"Lake. Still"

Picture a mirror surface, a body of water poured like glass, unmoved and unmoving. Become that lake.

Other times, when you're piqued by anxiety or undisciplined drive, try this:

"Mountain. Solid"

Feel the mountain. Its weight, its composure, its permanence. Sit like that mountain.

I've used both to great effect. In fact, they recently became a mainstay of my practice in a particularly challenging time. So I'm sharing them forward.

In respectful sanghaship I'd also like to contribute a third and similar focusing technique from my own practice. It's a little less placid, a bit harder to assimilate, but in my experience, just as valuable when called for:

"Wind. Wander."

I picture nothing when using this mantra; I just feel the wind inside me. But if a visual is helpful, you might try a leaf or dandelion fluff or even dust.

This came to me while reciting a favourite chant:

In cola ego sum apud te in terra, et peregrinus, sicut omnes patres mei.

("I am a sojourner before You on this Earth, and I will wander, like all my fathers before me.")

Unlike the TNH images, mine doesn't bring an immediate sense of calm abiding. But it does contribute crucial perspective, positioning me more accurately in the universe. And in some moments, it's just what I require.

Call it active abiding.


In brotherhood with the nation of seekers.



(Sailplane photo courtesy of Mike Peel and Wikimedia Commons.)

WW: Giant tortoise

(An African spurred tortoise [Centrochelys sulcata], just short of a yard long, receiving the adulation of passersby at the Northwest Washington Fair.)

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

Obedience Koan

A British, American, and Canadian ship captain are having a drink together on an aircraft carrier.

The British captain says, “Gentlemen, allow me to demonstrate the bravery of the British seaman.”

"You there!" he calls to one of his sailors. “Jump overboard. Swim under the ship and climb back onto the deck.”

The sailor salutes, jumps off the flight deck, falls 60 feet to the water, swims under the keel, climbs back up and salutes his commander again.

“That," says the captain, "is courage."

“Ha! That's nothing,” scoffs the American. "Sailor!" he calls out to a crewman. “Jump off the bow, swim down the keel to the stern and report back."

The American sailor salutes, leaps off the bow, swims the length of the ship underwater, and climbs up the transom. Dripping before his commander, he salutes again.

"And that," his captain says, "is courage."

Without a word, the Canadian captain turns to one of his crew and says, “You saw what the American just did. I order you to do the same."

The sailor salutes and says, “You can fuck right off, sir!”

The captain turns back to his companions.

“That, gentlemen, is courage."


(Photo courtesy of the Leslie-Judge Company and Wikimedia Commons.)

WW: Full moon over the bay

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

Vengence Kyôsaku

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Romans 12:17

– a tighter restatement of my own earlier effort.

(Photo courtesy of Widodo Margotomo and Wikimedia Commons.)

WW: American teapot

(When you housesit in the States, you sometimes have to exercise creativity.)

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.

WW: Labrador yoga

(This position: "After the Tornado". Vacuum cleaner cord optional.)

Appearing also on My Corner of the World.