Seeds of Humility from Thailand (Part I)

Santichaiprakarn Park, along the Chao Praya River, Bangkok, Thailand.

{Whether it's a moment of awe-inspiring grandeur or a situation that wins against my ever-so-arrogant ego, I'm used to humility slamming me upside the head--either knocking me flat on my face or at least to my knees.  In the last few days of our two month journey to Thailand, while it was a little less dramatic than this, humility had me on my knees yet again.}

We often stay along the Chao Praya River when in Bangkok. It's situated near the major tourist attractions (The Grand Palace, National Museum, various important wats, and Thammasat University). It's also far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok's mega-malls, skyscrapers and intense traffic, which helps us transition in and out with a little more grace.

There's rarely a place you can go in Thailand where, within a few blocks, there isn't a wat (Buddhist monastery). Jim and I are used to stopping at one or more as a regular part of our day--whether as tourists to explore the grandeur of the Buddha images and grounds, make an offering of incense or flowers, visit with a dog or two, or just sit in quiet stillness, bringing our attention inward.

One of our favorite things is to experience monks chanting. Without knowing the words, the melodious sounds spoken tend to lull my heart into soft knowing.

Wat Chana Songkhram Ratchawora Mahawihan, Bangkok, Thailand

I found Wat Chana Songkhram Ratchawora Mahawihan while exploring our neighborhood after a day of editing my book, Mindful and Intentional Living: A Path to Peace, Clarity and Freedom. It's a smaller wat off the main thoroughfare, which is always a treat, as it's less trafficked by tourists.

It was just coming up on 5:00 PM and some quiet time was just what I was wanting. I stopped in my tracks with disappointment when I saw the "Sorry!!! No Entry" signs at the openings to the to the main ubosot (ordination hall) seating area. Confused, I realized that it's not uncommon for chanting to begin at the five-o'clock hour. I noticed a few women seated on the marble floor outside the main hall and joined them. We  watched as monks trickled inside.

Larger monasteries are also major tourist attractions for Buddhists and non-Buddhists. There's usually a constant flow of people filing in, taking photos of either the main Buddha image or themselves in front of the main Buddha images, and filing out. Most that come are Buddhist, make an offering, and sit for a time paying respects and praying. This was the first I'd seen where the public wasn't allowed inside during  chanting. Usually we sit on the lower portion of the carpeted area next to the raised platform where the monks sit.

Outside of the disappointment of not being able to sit nearer to the monks, seeing the barrier sign at the room entrance started me thinking. These signs were intended to help protect the monks from the distractions which helps with their focus, concentration and prayers. Much like we create a silent and sacred place for our mindfulness practice, the monks do so as well.

Wat Chana Songkhram Ratchawora Mahawihan, Bangkok, Thailand

Part of the tradition for monks is to dedicate any positiveness that is earned (merit) from the prayers, chants, meditation and other practices to the benefit of ALL beings--that they be free of suffering and know happiness and the causes of happiness. So rather than accumulating any goodness for themselves, they offer it freely to others.

As I peered through the doors, it sank in to my scattered thinking mind the profound and sincere offering this is. This is an amazing dedication by the monks and their supporting lay community. (Since monks and nuns take a vow of poverty, they depend on the lay community to support their basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing.) Monks and nuns study the teachings (Dharma or Dhamma) and practice to see for themselves the truth of how things are--all the while offering any benefits of this work for the benefit of all beings.

This selflessness is difficult to understand from within a culture that values individualism, competition and winning at any cost, yet easy to understand from one that values cooperation, non-harming and goodness for all.

So, as I was busy bouncing around as the tourist, writer, and lay Buddhist practitioner (plus the many other roles I take on in life), these monks were, and are, working on my (and everyone's) behalf. That's humbling.

That is truly humbling.

I've directly experienced the benefit of wanting good things for others through the practice of loving kindness,* so I know how wonderful it can feel and I know the difference it can make for myself and others. But, as I recognized in that moment with my bag of goodies from the latest tourist shopping excursion, my practice is on top of meeting all my own needs and selfish wants. I suddenly woke up to the enormity of their gift--sharing their accumulated good with all beings--and found myself on my knees, humbled yet again.

If I weren't going to undertake the commitment of a nun or monk, the least I could do as a lay person is bring the most awareness and kindness that I can muster in any given moment. Clouded as my awareness may be through what I eat, think, say and do, any little bit I can do may also provide benefit to myself and others--even if only a teeny, tiny drop.

Awareness in any moment leads to more choice, and can lead to less harm, more kindness and goodness, if we so choose.

Anyone at any stage of life can contribute to the greater good by the awareness and kindness they bring to each moment. 

We can also practice dedicating our accumulated goodness (merit) to those things that matter to us.

For me recently, this is to end the suffering of sentient beings--particularly elephants--at the hands of humans for the sake of human entertainment.

If you could dedicate your accumulation of goodness, where would you want it to go?

*Download a free guided loving kindness meditation by signing up on the email list HERE.

~JoAnn Saccato, MA, is a mindfulness teacher, life coach, author and consultant. Mindfulness is a popular health and wellness practice based on purposefully paying kind, non-judgmental attention to direct experience. It is a scientifically proven approach that helps reduce stress and stress-related illnesses, increase focus and attention, decrease incidences of and relapses with depression, reduce anxiety, reduce relapses in addiction, and aids in sleep and digestive disorders. It has also been shown to increase well being, life satisfaction and happiness, as well as improved social relationships. You can reach her at [email protected] . To follow JoAnn and receive a free guided loving kindness meditation and webinar to help you sleep better, visit: www.MindfulAndIntentionalLiving.com

A portion of proceeds from Ms. Saccato's work are donated to efforts to rescue Asian elephants in the entertainment field from abusive treatment.