Computers: Our New Monastery?
My computer recently crashed resulting in 35+ hours of tech support and “new found friendships” in India. Not even in the crazy beginning stages of teenage puppy love have I talked so long on the phone. During those hours I believe I also found new levels of frustration, as in: “My life is passing – and I’m on the phone to India!”
Interestingly, as the hours and days passed, I seemed to actually settle into this Siberian monastery training, and in doing so, two mini miracles took place.
First, during one of the particularly non-productive sessions, I slipped into about 45 minutes of blissful peace. I remember feeling complete surrender in the moment and thinking something like “This is all there needs to be. This is exactly as good a place to be as any.” I actually scribbled on a torn scrap of paper, perhaps in an attempt to secure the moment, “I’m so happy about just being me.” Corny as it sounds in words, that scrap of paper is plastered on my wall as a reminder of my sweet merge with Now.
[Having said that, let me assure you that while I think “suffering offers exquisite lessons” is a certain punch line to this life, be it known that I am currently on a computer backup rampage that may border on radical. I seek to avoid the same lesson twice.]
Second, although still struggling with language barriers, I finally connected with one of the head techs (at about the 30 hour mark). While waiting for something to load, we started talking about his world – what he ate for lunch, his nostalgia for the “back then” of his country that he never knew, his walks by the sea to “download” and his closely knit tech team. He told me that just a few days previous many of his top techs were injured or killed in an auto accident on their way to a much-anticipated vacation together. He was in the car behind the one hit and could only watch helplessly.
His department was now struggling with the “empty seats” next to them while trying to pick up the slack for being short staffed.
My little computer world and goal list were suddenly yanked into perspective as my heart sprang open to envelop his cubicle. This 22 year old and I talked about the tragedy for the next 15 minutes. I felt such grace from him soaking into me as I tried to offer what solace I could. Had my computer not crashed I wouldn’t have arrived in this impactful chance encounter.
[Note to self: Trust the forks in the road and soften into where they lead.]
KRS Edstrom is an author, syndicated advice columnist and lecturer who has appeared on CNN and ABC TV. Her products offer solutions for healthful, conscious living. For her free “Mindful Living Update” ezine, sign up on her website: www.AskKRS.com or e-mail [email protected].
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