The Train, the Boat, and the Hallways

I was listening to Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk.

He told a story of riding a train with a group of fellow monks.

On one particular trip, he said he would leave the train during the stops.

Then he would find a quiet place to meditate.

One time when he returned, a fellow monk asked him why he did this.

He said the train was too noisy and chaotic.

The question that followed was whether he would rather be able to

calm his mind in the quiet or in chaos.

This reminded me of the story of Jesus, sleeping in the boat.

When a storm approached, he remained asleep.

The disciples woke him terrified and asked him to do something.

His attention first was on the disciples, not the storm.

He responded by rebuking them and asking them why they had no faith.

Then his attention turned to the storm which he told to be quiet and still.

And it did.

As a middle school teacher, one of my responsibilities is "hallway duty."

To stand in the hall outside my classroom during passing periods.

Three hundred young people corraled in those narrow halls.

Moving from class to class, talking with friends, laughing, and joking.

Slamming lockers, yelling, running, shoving, and making a variety of noises.

My colleagues and I do our best to harness the noise and energy

in an attempt to maintain an appropriate level of chaos.

I have practiced meditation for the past five years.

Ever a novice, with a beginner's mind, I find that serenity is alive.

Peace and calm are never far from me, even in the chaos and the storm.

Even when the volume and energy in the hallways are at a maximum level.

I'm finding more and more often, that I am smiling.

Recognizing that my overwhelm is a feeling and a lack of presence.

An opportunity to respond.

And how do I respond?

I pause, breathe, and think about the monks on the train.

And I smile.

Then I pause, breathe, and think about Jesus in the boat.

And I smile.

Finally, I pause, breathe, and look at these young lives.

The energy and life they bring to this world.

The gift of enthusiasm and emotion and energy.

This is the story of us all, we are living in chaos

and are all part of the chaos.

And when I can pause and recognize this, I smile.

When we catch a glimpse of clarity, we catch a breath of peace.

We find a moment of calm and serenity.

Whether we are on a train, in a boat, or in a middle school hallway.

And in these moments of chaos,

I hope we can find more and more moments to

pause, breathe, and be present.

And smile.