Trips By Sam

Kopan Monastery—Dharma Talks             “…watering the seed of compassion with a mind of equilibrium.  And how do we achieve that equilibrium?   Through practicing equanimity.”             The vermillion swaddled monk was well into her introduction, surrounded by a posse of mostly greying students seated, dutifully distilling her dispersed wisdom into notebooks, when I blustered into the sacred space.   Late.   Frazzled.   Banking that the enlightened Buddhists were showering me with their cultivated, compassionate understanding.   I quickly nestled upon the only available seat, a bench reserved for bags and backpacks that released a farting staccato as I fidgeted, punctuating her eloquent speech.               “Equanimity is a balanced attitude, seeing people as equal,” she explained, her soft...

“I’ve been here for... well, I dunno.   A lot of weeks.” “I’ve got to shower.” “Mosquitos are a reminder to be in the present moment.” “Let’s have the cacao ceremony at the temple at sunset.” “I’ve been coming here every year for five years.” “I was on acid at a psy trance festival in Goa and…” “#HEMP.   Heal Earth Make Peace.” “Of these manifested ‘coincidences’ are you the giver or the receiver?” “Do you have tobacco?” “What day is it today? No really. I have no idea what day it is.”   “Ugh… It’s like taking a solar power shower on a cloudy day.” “I tried the 5-Me-O-DMT at a toad ceremony in Melbourne.” “If I sit by the water long enough, I become aware of the planet’s vibrational frequency.” “I took a tab while hiking in Annapurna and…” “Do you have a cigarette?” “I was a DJ for 8 years… then I realized I was going to be a wasted boy forever.” “Rosewater, honey, soy milk.”   “If you listen to your body whisper, you’ll never he...