In Search of Solace

...I visited a Buddhist temple

A GIFT

A day unfurled in front of me, unexpectedly clear. The two short morning hours I’d thought would be my solo time had now expanded into six—into mid-afternoon. My daughter had a playdate and nearly my entire day had opened up.

Years ago, before she started school and before I added other projects onto my regular work I’d take a Friday and make it a Soul Day. I’d do what fed my spirit. Brought me back to center. Regulated my nervous system.

I sat on the grass beneath cherry tree blossoms and watched planes take off through billowing cumulous clouds. I went to the river and trailed beside it, listening to the birds. Once, I simply drove south to where the sun was shining.

I haven’t done a day like that in years.

Until today.

MY SOUL DAY

Today when my day opened up before me I felt my soul stir. My face hummed into a smile.

And I asked myself: what would feed my Soul today?

There’s a Chinese Buddhist Temple not far from us. It’s elaborate, with yellow-tiled roofs that rise to a peak at the corners. Outer and inner walls laden with gold and red. A tiered pond with fountains that burble. Plus: a Golden Buddha over twenty feet tall.

Visitors are welcome and I’ve been there a few times when I felt the call to find a place where harmony wasn’t only the aim, it was something I felt immediately. That was what my Soul said first when I asked what to do.

‘Go to the temple,’ was the response.

SEVEN BUDDHAS

I sat on a bench in front of the Seven Buddha Pavilion and closed my eyes, meditating. I bowed in front of a statue of a figure I didn’t recognize but who stood smiling benevolently above a placard that read “No offerings. Only genuine prostration.” I walked slowly with my hands clasped behind my back down the path of Cherry Blossoms.

I fed my soul.

SUMMER

Summer has been rich in spontenaity, spaciousness, and classic Vancouver experiences. It’s also been loud. Relentless at times. Hot and draining.

It’s my daughter’s last week of summer holidays before she goes back to school and I’d thought I’d pack each day with fun. As well as tick off a hefty to-do list of back to school tasks. And take care of my work.

Not surprisingly, I defaulted to my habit of trying to get the entire to-do list done on day one and got myself so worked up over helping her pick out a back pack before her bedtime that she stroked my arm and said, “It’s okay, mamma, just take some deep breaths.”

Old habits die hard.

LIFE NEVER STOPS LOVING

So this completely unexpected Soul Day was exactly what I needed. And not at all what I had planned. After I visited the temple I picked up a nourishing lunch which I ate in our back courtyard with my feet up, looking at the mountains. Our cat came and joined me, snuggling on my chest. Then I came inside and took a nap before heading out for a stroll along the ocean.

I am restored.

Rejuvenated.

Grateful.

As I reflect on what a gift this day was, I’m also aware that even though I was off track from my slower, simpler approach to living, life gave it to me anyway. I didn’t have to make it happen.

It happened in spite of me. For the best of me.

What a gift.

p.s. There were Buddhist maxims in the temple, offered for our thoughtful consideration. Some of them that touched me are:

Expect little.

Give a lot.

Keep a joyous mind.

{This is a picture my friend in Wales sent me from her porch, where she is reading some of my work. It has nothing to do with the temple, but I didn’t take any pictures there and this image made me feel almost as peaceful.}