On our walk along Newbury St., I finally went into Prem-La, a beautiful shop I've often walked past but have never ventured inside. Since I recently went to Brimfield and, as you may have heard, I did not successfully purchase a Buddha, I figured this shop would be perfect to find my own buddha.
The store is beautiful and chock full of lovely trinkets, prayer flags, clothing, figurines, jewelry, prayer and meditation rugs... I spent about 10 minutes staring at several different bookshelves full of different figurines. I wanted my Buddha to choose me, not me choose it. The shop owner offered some assistance and explained two different Buddha - one for compassion, and the other to protect from negativity. These were beautiful, but I didn't feel anything in my gut. Suddenly, sensing that realistically my husband was probably bored, I told myself to stop dilly-dallying and just choose. It was as if suddenly my brain emptied it's heaviness and I noticed one Buddha I hadn't seen before. I loved the open palm touching the earth, and the calm, soothing expression on it's face. I showed my husband and said, "this is it, this is the one."
I brought it to the counter and the shop owner laughed. I immediately panicked thinking I picked something silly. He said, "this is the Buddha of Medicine -" to which I said, "oh great this doesn't even apply to me!" The shop keeper continued: "it means healing, the open palm shows giving, and the bowl of herbs symbolizes healing." I became teary. Um, hello, serendipity kismet-ness!! Im a therapist, I assist people in healing, and I myself am trying to heal my own ailments. This was my Buddha.
We then had a lovely conversation about meditation, living within the present, Buddhist philosophies and way of thought...it was powerful. I felt like it was exactly where I was supposed to be at that moment, that I was meant to have a reminder of these important ways of living and being. No, I am not Buddhist nor one who actively practices any religion, but I truly appreciate and value the way Buddhists think and live.
I am trying to meditate daily, even if it's a walking meditation or one while I am washing the dishes or cooking dinner. I want to start a daily practice of sitting with my Buddha, setting my intentions, and taking a few moments to disconnect and breathe. I'll keep ya posted on my progress!
xx
S