Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

Yesterday, my teacher Anam Thubten discussed "How will this day unfold?", about expectation and surprise.  We never know what the day will bring.  We may be looking forward to a walk with a friend and trip and fall and be bedridden for the next several weeks.  We may dread a meal with family and be surprised by the kindness and closeness we feel.  My former teacher, Yvonne Rand, used to school us in "don't know", about not having expectations and our inability to control what happens.  Anam said that setting our intention first thing in the morning helps us stay balanced and prepared for what we are not prepared for.  If we greet the day with an awakened heart (Bodhicitta) we will experience kindness and compassion for whatever occurs.  Surprise is not our enemy.  It may have much to teach us about ourselves and others.  It shows us our expectations and delusions.  So I greet this day with gratitude for my life and determination to respond with kindness to whatever happens.  And I'll ruefully notice when that old black magic expectation creeps in.