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Handy Sanctuary

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Handy Sanctuary

Written by Bill Meinders

Friday, 22 April 2011 10:15

One summer afternoon, when I was just a small boy on my family’s farm, I was enjoying some solitary time in my private playground — an area between a chicken house, granary and grove — when, idly peeking around the corner of the granary, I saw our cattle making a meandering escape from their yard: a gate hadn't been secured.

This was a big deal. Not quite like seeing a building on fire, but a big deal nonetheless.

I retracted my head. Immediately I began to agonize about the cattle. My father, having gone into town, wasn't home. I was too small to herd the “huge” animals by myself, and I didn’t know if my mother and elder sister, who were in the farmhouse, would notice in time.

Like a tuning fork, my mental agitation seemed to physically radiate through me, making my stomach queasy.

This all made me extremely upset: just a moment before I had been happily engrossed in thought. So — just to allow myself enough time to finish up what had felt so satisfying — I decided to pretend that I hadn't looked around the corner yet.

Yah, well, good luck with that! Mostly, cattle considerations gnawed at me. But even when I was able to return to prior thoughts, I found it impossible to have the contented feeling of those prior moments which, after all, is what I really wanted.

There was no sanctuary for me. No inner tranquility impervious to outside influence. Such is the lifelong template. “Private playground” becomes the ideal: a specific living arrangement or companion, friends, accomplishments, hobbies — whatever it is that I think will make me happy.

Now, in my sixties, it's obvious to me that unless I am, at essence, content — truly content — I'm not going to truly enjoy my life. Even if the circumstances are ideal, thoughts and emotions can still keep me from being content. One wrong look from someone, one “stupid mistake” — or anything at all, it seems — can rile me inside, ruining what was a perfectly wonderful situation.

I may not be in control of what happens in life, but as long as I'm drawing breath I have a choice as to how I seek my contentment. I strike gold when I seek it — not externally, nor internally through thoughts — but where Knowledge shows it to be. Once shown, it is my opportunity to recognize it and bask in it.

Knowledge definitely works as promised. Practicing Knowledge brings true peace. To me, true peace is always having access to a place within where I can, by choosing to be attentive, experience peace of mind and a contentment that is indeed impervious to outside influence. For that I am most grateful.

It comes in handy no matter how life appears as it comes around the corner.

Illustration by Sara Shaffer.

10 Comments

Bill Meinders makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Tuesday, 03 May 2011

My mother led the effort to corral the cattle. She was coming from the house just as I was approaching to let her know. It wasn’t much work. The cattle knew where home was.
Joyce makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Monday, 02 May 2011

Thank you. You expressed it well and I totally relate.
Peter makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Sunday, 01 May 2011

As we know words can never truly explain the value of the understanding and contentment that comes from the self knowledge that we have been shown by Prem Rawat, but your example is very relate-able. Thank you.
Vera Putnikovic makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Sunday, 01 May 2011

Everyone has this private playground, a private domain of happiness, and thank you for reminding us. The other day I was walking down the streets completely absorbed in the things that have to be done, when a sweet little girl from a kindergarten playground I was passing by, asked me: "Excuse me, can you catch our ball, please?" Suddenly, I found myself looking for their pink ball, and finally, here it was. The child said: "Thank you." This moment brought me to myself again, and I thought of this story, how true it was.
Alec Kin-Woon LAM makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Sunday, 01 May 2011

It should be & is possible to have the contented feeling of those prior moments which, after all, is what we really wanted in life And hopefully the possiblility is available to Bill Meinders, to me & to the ones who really need it & want it
sanfranciscojim makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Saturday, 30 April 2011

what happened to the cows, etc...???
zahava shemesh makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Thank you. when you,i, have a good good teacher.the best of the best... you can feel the beauty of life.
Bil Meinders makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Hi Tara, thanks for your kind words. How easy when chaos reigns? The sole determinant seems to be the passion, how much do I really want to be in contentment. If I’m not thirsty, my focus is not going to be on water, no matter if there’s chaos or calm on the outside. True life is really, I’m finding, an inside job. Chaos in my life can be beneficial, acting as a big flashing sign reminding me of (because I’m so obviously missing it), and sending me back to – the peace that lies within. Bill
Tara Komarraju makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Hi Bill Thank you for taking the trouble to share your perspective! I particularly like the piece on how the practice of Knowledge enables peace of mind and contentment for you.Very clearly and loudly articulated!!!!!!! fantastic to hear how it is coming in handy-when trouble looms maybe on the outside in various forms. Yeah.!! Also when chaos reigns,how easy is the sanctuary to access? Just like when one is in love one would wish to tell the whole wide world about it and shout it from the treetops for whoever would care to hear..... truly impressive..!
Joyce makes this comment

Handy Sanctuary

Monday, 25 April 2011

Very Nice!