When you go to a different country,
You do things differently.
Here in Japan,
That means I look left instead of right for oncoming cars.
I use chopsticks instead of forks.
I bow instead of shaking hands.
But there've been some other differences here that have surprised me.
For instance,
I can't stream my favorite shows here,
And I didn't realize how often I watch something back home,
Especially when I'm eating.
Now,
When I eat,
I eat.
And that means I am present for the depth and mystery of umami.
Or,
I really taste the sweet juice in a cool peach on a hot day.
There's been another difference.
I went into an antique store a couple of days ago.
I was looking around for a mug for my coffee,
And as I strolled through the store very carefully,
Because I didn't want to break anything,
I ended up in the back corner,
And I saw these beautiful,
Incredible things that look like bowls.
The old woman behind the register told me it was tea bowls for tea ceremonies.
And I looked through them,
And there were some that were so fine and fancy,
But then my eyes locked on a tea bowl that was simple,
Rustic.
I reached out and grabbed it carefully,
And as soon as I did so,
A beautiful jolt of energy went up and into my body.
As I held the bowl,
I thought of all it had seen,
The quiet tea ceremonies in tatami rooms,
And I thought of what its life would be like back in Minnesota.
I literally,
In my mind,
Asked the bowl if it wanted to go home with me,
Because it sure felt like my hands were never going to let it go.
And indeed,
The bowl,
In whatever way it could,
Told me,
Yes,
I want to be with you and go with you.
And so I bought the bowl,
And I brought it back to my apartment,
And at first I filled it with water.
And as soon as I did so,
I realized I was not going to be able to drink water in the same way.
It would not be a mindless thing I did while I was trying to manage 16 other things.
No.
I needed to be fully present.
I had to use both of my hands to cradle the beautiful bowl.
And the water,
Even though it was just Tokyo City water,
I don't know if I've ever tasted water any sweeter.
And maybe it's the energy of the bowl,
Maybe it's the beauty of this place,
Maybe I am just filled with wonder by all the differences that I see.
And I think it is the act of attention,
Of doing one thing.
When we can do that,
When we slow down and be fully present in what we are doing,
We receive the beautiful gifts of good energy,
Surprise,
Wonder,
Delight,
And we find what it is like to be present,
Grounded,
Centered.
And I don't think we have to have a magic bowl to make this happen.
It comes with our attention and intention.
When I walk in a park here,
There's a building,
A high skyscraper called And Here.
And it becomes this beautiful mantra to help us with that act of presence.
Be here,
And here,
And here.
Present,
Attentive,
Open for whatever's next.
Live,
Light,
And shine.
