I have been a wannabe Buddhist for decades now. I love its
core ideas, and I accept the Four Noble Truths, but I find it difficult to
practice any of the devotions or the meditations. My mind is just too busy and clouded
with samsara.
So I was pleasantly attracted by the title of this book.
The human mind – your mind, my mind – is the “wild elephant”
of the title. It runs in all directions at once. How do we tame it? This book
offers suggestions.
I’ve found some of them very useful.
Examples:
Take three deep
breaths. I close my eyes while doing this. Here’s the thing: don’t think.
Slowly: inhale/exhale, inhale/exhale, inhale/exhale. Now open your eyes.
This is not just a calm-down exercise, or a “Serenity Now!” mantra.
Just think about yourself, and your breathing, for a few seconds.
It works.
Whenever you see
someone during the day, think: “This may be the last time I ever see him/her.”
It reminds you of mortality. It keeps you from treating them slightingly or badly.
And who knows? Once in a while it may be true.
Notice the color blue.
This sounds stupid, but it’s very effective. Blue is the sky color, but it’s
also everywhere. Take a moment and notice all the bits and pieces of blue
around you. You’ll be astounded.
And the most difficult of all: When you’re eating, just eat. Take a bite, chew it, and swallow it.
Do not take another bite until you’ve completely chewed and swallowed the first
one. Make yourself aware of the taste of the food. Don’t read, or watch TV, or
talk. Just eat, slowly and with appreciation.
Slowly, step by step, breath by breath, bite by bite, we may actually
achieve nirvana.
