Airplane mode

Photo by David Kovalenko on Unsplash

The photo was titled “in the middle of nowhere” and I loved it. I tend to feel that suspension, that “unknown” effect clearly accentuated when travelling and being in transit from one location to another (not necessarily by plane). Our schedules might look all neat and tidy, travelling documents in place, yet it might look a bit like anticipating Christmas or a celebration of sort. There is some excitement, there are many encounters that could make our trip marvellous (I did choose on purpose this word) or a bit upside down…it really depends. So many little pieces in motion, depending of each other, for us to arrive at destination. Most of the times when travelling we happen to have a destination.

I remember thousands years almost ago, my mum would just embark us in the car, (mostly after convincing my father to go somewhere) and we would drive. There would be some initial destination in her mind yet she would manage many times to just say - let’s turn left here and see what is on this road. Or, we have not been that village yet ,should we get this route? It was marvellous at the end even if they might still disagree on choices, or we might find a blocked road, or something. No matter what it was, there was nevertheless a way out. There was. There is.

I am back to Substack after a week break as I was travelling back home. This platform for me is a “home” almost where I would very much like to show up raw. I want to just roll up my sleeves, have few coffees onboard, bask in the beautiful light entering my window and be here with you dear friends. I feel your warmth too and feel like sending you all hugs today. As it happens while I might have some topics I want to write about, anytime I face this space and blank canvas I just pour into it with bits and bobs of life.

Going back home tends to be quite emotional.There is an excitement to show up, there is a terrible sadness to leave. In between is about rebalancing while many states might be a bit more heightened than usual. For me, to be raw today or this week, after I came back, it meant to take a moment. And I decided to go with the airplane mode state of mind. ( and a moment for the “button”) .Lol- it felt appropriate.

I will dive right into it. One of my favourite things on a plane or travelling is that I consider it a dedicated time and sure also a dedicated space. The crowds, or the noise, or the chatter seems to distance from me in a very mystical way and I can zoom out pretty quickly into a prolonged airplane mode. It does not have to start by the simple action turning the phone off, it just starts in my mind. Which leads to another favourite of favourite activities - reading. And reading on a plane. I can finish books! I can start new ones! It is this condensed bubble where my concentration level reaches maximum levels, or ok, fine, let’s say optimum levels. And I totally love it and cannot wait to experience it over and over again.

It can be also called escapism, or day dreaming (the time zones do not count anymore anyway)….. So, by this time you guessed it…I am here to mention few books that got to my heart this week. Mostly read on the planes, bus, train and also boat…the final touch.

The New Saints,Lama Rod

Like many other books that speak deeply to my heart, is hard to convey even how many core areas were touched by his teachings and deep deep common sense I would say. On one side. On the other side, but his pungent metaphorical “fist” in the sense of raw courage to stand there and show us humanity at all levels. Maybe “fist”was a stronger word than I could imagine at first, yet, while reading some of the chapters I have felt his courage to name things. To name realities, to name situations ,to name bodily sensations, to name love and to name act of violence, to name rage, or to name care all in strong bold statements. There words have been carved in this author for generations. His ancestors were still here with us. And I did feel somehow later that this fist of “this is who I am” turned more into a torch to be carried forward by other generations. The torch he has been holding for me is first and foremost one more living proof on how connected all of us are. And is it a symbolic torch of clarity.

Looking back at some highlights from his book I have noticed that I have full pages sometimes annotated. This is not an easy book. And is definitely not an easy task to become a “New Saint” . It can however turn into an aspiration for caring more, loving more, and helping others along the way. If I may sum up really briefly.

“We will have to figure out what we need and what we need is vital”.

Lama Rod

One of his key teachings as esteemed meditation teacher is that before we can care for others we must take good care of ourselves. The way he talks and digs into this topic is however quite novel so far to me. It might be known as a theory yet is very little practiced. Most of us have the tendency to fix things for others too, quite a bit. We try to come to rescue. We think there are many things we can do for others. We notice a situation and we think - immediately with a sense of urgency even, that we have to step in and help. I have been there myself many many times. Yet, if you take a minute. And then you take one minute more. You might realise even that no one asked actually for your help. And if you take a minute longeeeeer, you can start asking yourself -what was there in me that I needed to mend. Or simply, what is there in me that I need to tend to, like in a garden. Maybe it is nourishment we need. Sometimes is really helpful to turn that mirror to myself and ask - what is it here that I need to mend and heal and check on it. This is one way of looking of self care. And also considering this a “must do”.

I will have to reread this book actually sooner than later. The airplane mode made all sound like big revelations because I believe that were the messages I needed then. I do find his presence very down to earth at the same time, enlightened in many ways and also very physical because is not shy at all to talk about so many things. The word embodiment is reflected so well with him , this books, his practice.

I guess we could make the topic of another letter- this new word in state of “mine” - “embodiment”. It takes some other minutes to feel it deep down. In a very simplistic way I would translate it now as “walking your own truth”.

And yes, if you have a good hour or two when you feel that is all yours and can entirely disconnect, find Lama Rod Owens and read his books or find him on his website.

Lama Rod Owens

There were few more books I have managed to sponge out( or is this even a word?) during my recent trip back home.

I feel somehow that all above was a bit more serious than anticipated. It got me a bit dizzy even and I might need to first find some lunch…and perhaps a good dollop of this stunning sunshine we have on the island today.

Cheers friends may you all have a relaxed Sunday…

Oh…. One last important thing. I have a new nickname- oh my god, it is so good. I have became “Auntie The Sheep” …. (Matusa Oaie). I have watched a puppet show with one of my nieces, based on a story “The goat with three kids” by Ion Creanga,a Romanian author. I would say, the play was a bit too realistic and scary at times, and you know kids -they love these kind of things. It has given me some nightmares of course as the wolf was pretty mean, you know. My little niece hold a good space for me to go through the story and she decided to reenact the story with her grandma and grandpa and we had it served twice that day. I was the witness mostly and a caring auntie - not many lines, however quintessential to the story. Something totally novel and unexpected as my entire “surprise”trip. My niece loves so much to call me now Matusa Oaie that is hilarious.