Chanting on the ‘fly’
He usually dreaded flying. Not because of any fear, but because of the hassle, lost time in transit and headaches that would spontaneously show up — Both at the security check and also physically in his own head.
This time around was different! Looking around, he found a couple of consecutive empty seats in a row full of people engaged in myriad activities that are characteristic of a terminal — Snoozing, fidgeting, honoring the presence of gadgets and the rare ones reading a book. ‘I have found my perfect spot’ he thought. As he settled down, he plopped himself naturally into sukhasana (easy sitting posture). He pulled out his japa mala, gently closed his eyes, and began chanting his favorite mantra mentally as his mind began its descent inwards away from the noises of the terminal.
It was not that he wasn’t aware of what was going on nearby or was falling asleep — It was as if the window of the living room got shut, dimming the traffic noise and making for a peaceful environment inside. As he finished his japa with a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing, the internal envirnoment (his mind) had become quite calm and pleasant and he heard the the final call being made. Perfect timing! Timings seemed perfect when he took the time to connect with the source. His demeanor had changed — In contrast to the stressed state of mind with which he had scrambled into the airport, a lightness emanated from his face, his breath slow and even, as he walked at a gentle pace with the lingering bliss of the meditation onto his journey upwards (flight).
With gratitude in the heart for having access to ‘internal flights’, he settled himself into an absorbing book as the external flight took off.
Home is where the calm and happy mind is, he mused.