A Cozy Carry-On Called Meditation
Published: 07/30/2009 by Melissa
I may be described as someone who once suffered from monkey mind. Growing up, my tiny family bounced from car to tent to apartment and back as my mother's employment ebbed and flowed. Though a talented student and diligent worker, I would become an adult who housed many talents, but could never settle on any one location long enough to actually build a home.
Though making some headway in a highly competitive career - I couldn't escape the feeling that as those around awed at the odds of my late and slow climb, something in me yawned at the prospects. "Is this it?" It asked me as I sat, finally, at the premiere of the first film I'd ever been billed as a Lead in. I turned to my little brother sitting next to me in the dark and repeated the question aloud. He looked me dead in the eye and said, "You can do so much more than this."
To be clear, seeing myself on the big screen was a gift. It was a true joy to sit in a packed theater with my family and friends, witnessing together the manifestation of my long-held childhood dream. And yet I felt, I knew, that whether I liked it or not, there would be more. That my life's purpose is not to be about the fulfillment of my ego or the building of my bank account, but about the expansion of my spirit...
It has become apparent to me that when the call for change comes, you have no choice but to answer it. And so mine did, in the form of taking a job as an ESL Teacher in South Korea. A total of four weeks transpired from the moment I submitted my online application to the time when I sold everything I owned - for the second time in my life - in order to board a plane, unfettered. This journey was not across the country this time, however, but across the Pacific. I was gonna need some back up.
I give you this history to build to my point - the reason why you're most likely reading this article on this site: You're interested in Meditation.
An old friend of mine had been teaching meditation in Santa Monica. We were casual friends for years and I'd always admired from afar his willingness to try different things as he carved out for himself the work - thus the life - that nourishes him. After a few years of receiving invitations to attend his free Meditation Introductions, I accepted. "Hell," I thought, "I'll be in the land of Confucianism. This may help me adapt faster." The meditation talk was informative, inspiring and not far from what I'd always known, but never committed to. "If not now, when?" I asked myself. I became his student and set aside the fact that after knowing him for almost ten years, it dawned on me in the middle of his lecture one evening; This guy is hot! I chalked the revelation up to his glowing inner spirit and the fact that my impending departure gave me the courage to look at him in a less self-protected light. Glowing and Courage. Hmmm... Two more good reasons to meditate I figured.
Upon arriving in South Korea, I unpacked a few well worn garments, a couple of books and my new meditation tools. I assumed it would be easy. I'd watched reruns of Kung Fu. I was in the land of chopsticks and proverbs. Any time now, I'd find my Master and they'd call me Grasshopper. Ha! How shocked was I to find that not only is yoga fairly new to this country; It is generally viewed as Indian and therefore, Hindu. South Korea is comprised mostly of Buddhists, Christians and what can most conveniently be categorized as Agnostics. Likewise, meditation is widely acknowledged and revered, but all the Koreans I've spoken with hold it in a regard that limits it mostly to Monks or in reserve for only the most serious of Life's students. After only a week here, I asked my employer to point me towards the nearest yoga studio. Her eyes widened and she asked if she could join me. "I've always wanted to go," she seemed to admit, her voice a blend of hush and hurry. "But was afraid to go alone." "Do you also know anything about meditation?" I suddenly found myself back on non-committal ground. My meditations had lasted all of two weeks without the handsome crutch of class. I didn't want to begin my new adventure with a lie, so I let my answer be an ambiguous head nod and hoped she'd stop there with the questions. Ignorance can be honestly feigned when there is an accepted language barrier...
Currently, I have completed about eight months of my one year commitment to teach in South Korea. Yes, commitment. Outside of yoga, two overwrought relationships and my BFA, this is the first in a while. I am happy to say that I've also added meditation to this list. I'm not yet consistent mind you - but I am committed. At least once a day, I take twenty minutes. The gaps between the second sessions are steadily closing as more and more - I make the time to take the time. And though South Korea is not the land of the lotus we Westerners paint it to be - I have found it to be a land of moderation.
For example: While at a seven hour staff picnic last weekend, I quietly walked away to take my second session of twenty minutes. Though still within earshot of the fireside chat - no one, not even the boisterous grade schooler - interrupted me. I returned to the meal refreshed. My mood had lifted, my energy surged and I swear I could understand a full twenty-percent more of what was being said. Just the week before I could only focus on what was negatively missing and now a week later, I only noticed what was positively apparent. Good food, good friends, a sense of well-being and a confidence to let well enough alone. Meditating in South Korea has taught me that I take all that I believe and all that I do, with me. From now on, whenever I pack to go where ever I'm headed - I will remember to pack light and to pack love... Inside my cozy carry-on called Meditation.
Melissa is currently teaching English as a Second Language in South Korea. Follow her experiences there at http://asknowtoteachinkorea.wordpress.com/
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