Modern plane travel seems like an ideal place and time to practice mindfulness. Particularly when travelling economy. And early in the morning. Very early in the morning. Apparently meditation does not prevent one from dozing off.
Having succeeded in achieving a restful snooze I awaken to a body experiencing the sensations of a human levered into a flying sardine can. First, the physical sensations. A leg with a tightness. A tightness in the lower calf.
Focusing on that part of the body there are additional sensations. A tingling that comes from the bottom of the foot. The tightness and a stronger sense of pain that lies behind the knee. Remembering the relationship between pain and suffering I know that this experience will pass. Twenty minutes until we land.
Now my attention moves to the dryness in my mouth. This often happens when I fly. Why do I never bring water? Should I ask for water? The crew seems busy cleaning up and getting ready to land. I do not want to make a fuss. No wonder I suffer. Obviously I am incapable of planning and, possibly my biggest fault, such a wuss that I do not want to bother people who are paid to take care of what I need. I really deserve to suffer. This plane needs to get down so I get some fluids.
As we descend there is the pressure in the inner ears. As I focus on it I can feel a significant difference between the two ears. The left side is stronger. I wonder why. Interesting. As my curiosity is engaged the pressure begins to relieve. I neither welcome nor regret its passing.
A child begins to scream and cry. Their mother seeks to soothe them. Is the child suffering the same pressure? Poor baby. What can she know about the source of the pain? I know it will pass but does she believe her mother when she says it will be better soon.
The final approach. The bump as the plane touches down. The rattling of the plane as the pilots apply brakes and flaps.
The trip is over. What have I learned about the relationship between sensation, pain and suffering? What is the chain and the pattern? And how do I learn to wisely discern the differences?