SILENCE

I recently had a surgical procedure with minimal local anesthesia. It was a repeated intervention for a decade-old problem. It involved the insertion of a rather large tube into a rather tiny, but highly sensitive, orifice. The surgeon had asked if I would require an operating room with full anesthesia, the routine approach. I declined. I dislike pain, but I also dislike being knocked out.

Two assistants buzzed around the table as the surgeon proceeded with some difficulty to do the deed. The faces of the assistants registered dismay and perhaps a little disbelief.  I would like to see a video record of it. My guess is it would be rather comical. 

I was getting dressed after the procedure. One of the assistants was cleaning up the room, collecting the surgical equipment. We chatted superficially. She shared some interesting facts of her life before this career. The subject of Japan arose. I shared that I had been involved with Japanese Buddhism for some years, but now simply meditate on my own an hour or so each day. 

"That explains a lot," she said, "I have seen many people go through that procedure but you were amazingly quiet and calm." 

I hadn't really thought about it. I have learned to retreat to a silent place within. My meditation has helped me create that place. However, I do not go there often enough. I would like to be able to access that place in other situations more readily.