Imagine feeling so calm

that others can perceive it.

One day, I was doing prostrations in my dorm room. I forget how long I prostrated, but I do remember very clearly how happy and calm I felt afterward. It had been an unusually good session. After putting away my mat, I left the dorm to go to another building.

Along the way, a fellow nun was walking toward me. As we got closer, we both smiled and greeted one another. Then, pausing for a second or two, she admitted to having something upsetting to tell me. Not wanting to distress me, she had been putting it off for several days. But seeing my unusually serene demeanor, she decided the time was right to tell me. And she did.

I don’t remember what she said. But I do remember my reaction.

“Okay.”

Needless to say, she was much relieved. Laughing, she told me that because I looked so calm and relaxed that she easily found the courage to give me the bad news.

Just imagine us looking so calm, thanks to our chanting and practice, that those we encounter can perceive it.

Well, we can.