When I sit in meditation I keep myself warm with a light-weight pashmina shawl. I wrap this shawl around a cake of sandalwood soap whenever I put it away. Each time it lands on my shoulders, the sandalwood scent wafts around me, bringing back a happy memory.
A few years ago, my sister Helen took me to the Chenrezig Institute, nestled in sub-tropical rainforest in Eudlo, Queensland for my birthday.
We climbed the steep steps, passing a stupa dripping with offerings - anything from flowers to wristwatches and biro's! We sat in half-lotus on the wooden floor of the meditation hall and listened to a buddhist monk's teaching, with the help of an interpreter. We ate the best vegetarian meal ever, in the dining area beside the sangha. Later we browsed in the shop, where I found the sandalwood soap. It was such a peaceful, honest place.
A few years ago, my sister Helen took me to the Chenrezig Institute, nestled in sub-tropical rainforest in Eudlo, Queensland for my birthday.
We climbed the steep steps, passing a stupa dripping with offerings - anything from flowers to wristwatches and biro's! We sat in half-lotus on the wooden floor of the meditation hall and listened to a buddhist monk's teaching, with the help of an interpreter. We ate the best vegetarian meal ever, in the dining area beside the sangha. Later we browsed in the shop, where I found the sandalwood soap. It was such a peaceful, honest place.
What a peaceful picture you paint of you sitting with the sandalwood-scented pashmina around you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! And how delightful to have the reminder in such a gentle way.
ReplyDeleteI started burning sandlewood incense in my teens, and I still do to this day. The smell calms me as nothing else does. I too have a bar of sandlewood soap that I keep in a drawer, but I never thought of using it the way you do. I will in the future tho. When I first moved to Japan in the mid 80s I visited numerous Buddhist temples. All burned sandlewood. I always felt at home there and I miss that.
I remember that special day - I always loved taking people there :)
ReplyDeleteI have started a daily meditation practice with my grandmother's silver rosary and a stick of Nag Chompa. I love the ritual. I found you via Olivia's blog. I love your art work and I'll be stopping by here often!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday :))