The Search For Enlightenment

Sometimes we all need a little of bit of peace and quiet, a chance to get a few things straight in our mind. Tonight was one of those moments, so I took a stroll down to the beach and stood listening to the waves lapping over the sand. I say listened because it was pitch black, only a clear crescent moon and a billion stars lighting the scene.

I let the peace permeate my train of thought and waited.

Nothing. This nutty little problem obviously needs a fair bit more consideration, so I climbed the steps back to the quay and made my way slowly back to the apartment.

It’s very quiet around here and the lights are just bright enough to show the way home. Although the question was playing around my brain, I was relaxed and completely unprepared for what happened next.

The lobby is dark and as I opened the front door I had the shock of my life. There, lying face down at the foot of the stairs, was one of the neighbours. I think I let out a sort of startled squeak because it was so unexpected.

Anyway, enough of the dramatic preamble. The guy was in a bit of a state, he had clearly had a few drinks, but he had also had a nasty fall. His keys and his twisted sunglasses were lying on the carpet next to his head. His legs and feet were tucked up under him and although he was trying to get up, he was unable to do so.

I put the lights on and bent down and helped him to his feet. He was very shaken and had a nasty graze on his forehead. Having picked up the glasses and keys, I took his arm and helped him back up the stairs. He fumbled with his keys and finally opened his front door and having thanked me, over and over, for helping him, started to go inside.

I asked him, several times, whether he was ok, whether he wanted me to call a doctor, he had bumped his head quite badly. He said he was fine, but he was clearly shaken up. I really felt I should make sure he was ok, but also felt that pressing the point would further embarrass him, so I let him go. I’ll pop down to check on him in the morning.

The feeling of compassion for this fellow took me by surprise. I think it is yet another example of how my Practice is changing the way I am, the way I act, the way I feel.

P.S. I have checked today and he’s fine, apart from a bruise on his bonce and maybe dented pride.