Quite a while ago I forgot my combination lock numbers on my lock. I stood there in the locker room in front of the locker dripping wet, shivering and panicking. After I calmed down, I did finally remember the combination, but this event really scared me, and I went out and bought a lock that required a key and then I just pinned the key to my bathing suit. Certainly a cop out, but that was before I was a meditator.
Just recently I have returned to swimming because I’m nursing a sore foot and can’t walk the way I need to, to exercise. The lock with the key got used for something else, but there was a combination lock laying around that used to be my husband’s when he was swimming. I decided to give this another try. In the meantime, I had become a meditator. When I first started meditating, it was clear to me that my mind was turbulent, filled with thoughts, plans, rehearsals and stories. As time went on, I developed concentration. My mind became still and focused. I had spent hours focusing on my breath and sometimes focusing on whatever thought, sound or sensation arose.
This was just the practice I needed to bring to my combination lock problem. I spent some time working with the combination numbers, really focusing on, and memorizing them. I reviewed the numbers in my mind. But what was different this time is that I wasn’t scattered or in a rush or not really paying attention. it wasn’t just about the activation of memory, but the fixed and pointed concentration I put into really attending to the numbers. I had learned how to do this because of my meditation practice.
Now, I have a confession. I actually kept the lock numbers in my swim bag just in case. Perhaps that shows a lack of faith in my ability to concentrate, but the fact that I’ve never had to look at them is a testament to the reverse. Being able to concentrate is a wonderful gift.
Carol