Becoming the Indiana Jones of Meditation

THE WHIP AND HAT ARE OPTIONAL

In Buddhist meditation, nothing magical happens. We don't transcend reality, move to a higher plane of existence, or float in mid-air (wouldn't that be super cool).

Instead, we sit in awareness, using our breath as an anchor to which we repeatedly return when distracted by random thoughts, memories, fantasies, etc.

I'll get to Indiana Jones in a second, but first, I have a question for you...

Why Doesn't Your Dog Meow?

I know that's a silly question... and the only acceptable answer is, "Because dogs bark!" Right?

Expecting our dog to meow like a cat is an unrealistic expectation. So why is it that we expect our minds to be quiet during meditation?

Dogs bark, cats meow, and the mind thinks. It what they each do best...my cat's superpower as a master manipulator aside. The point is, we can't expect our minds to to do anything but what they're meant to do...generate thoughts at the speed of light... especially when we sit down to meditate.

When we sit to meditate, the mind throws up all kinds…