By Sang H. Kim
If Buddha had a smartphone ringing during meditation,
chances are, he would compassionately answer it, sit centered meditating undisturbed, or just turn it off. I imagine that whatever he did, he would do it mindfully.
His action would be pure to his intention, and his intention, true to his action, would not interrupt but supplement each other in equanimity.
Would he be annoyed? Maybe a little by the notion that he forgot to turn it off before his session, or the feelings he got from the person he talked to, the story he listened to, or the advice he gave. But because his capacity for understanding is infinite, he would not be distracted at all.
I imagine that whatever entered in his mind stays only temporarily. He moves on as each moment fleets, mindfully.
I imagine that as the phone rings he sees the sound flowing out of the speaker, then sees the person in the phone talking. Since he has never seen a smartphone and has no expectation about its limit, his imagination becomes his reality.
Meet me inside, Buddha says, returning to his meditation.
As he closes his eyes, he effaces the boundary of time, focusing on the present moment. But he cannot help but think about this little device.
Technology, like Myself, is enlightening. It lifts the borders between space and time and brings the whole universe into the palm.
Amused, he glimpses at the enlightening screen in his palm once more. He can see the beauty that reflects the world inside. Only what I think of, I create. —
Sang H. Kim is a lifetime martial artist, researcher, and author of 20 books. He has a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and has presented clinical benefits of mindfulness practices at international conferences, the NIH, Harvard, and various community organizations. His mission is to spread community-based mindfulness programs as a self-care tool for those experiencing stress. He blogs at MBX12.org and OneMindOneBreath.com.