I May Be Wrong: And Other Wisdoms From Life as a Forest Monk

by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad

These days, awareness is the only thing I trust when life turns stormy. As often as I can, I let go of my resistance to feeling the hard feelings. I try to welcome them instead, breathe through them, become a bit more like the Moominpappa when he gazes out at the sea and says: ‘There’s a storm coming, kids. Come on, let’s take the boat out!’

We all have it much closer to hand than that. In Hinduism, there’s a saying: God hid the most precious of all jewels where he knew you would never look for it: in your own pocket.

It has become more important than ever to live right here right now in every moment, instead of getting lost in thoughts about what things should be like or what might be.

I love the reply Ajahn Chah – the legendary Thai forest monk – gave when he was asked: ‘What is the biggest obstacle on the road to enlightenment for your western disciples?’ Insightfully, in a single word, he replied: ‘Opinions’.

‘It’s very simple,’ Meister Eckhart replied. ‘All you need to do to meet God the way I have is to fully understand who is looking out through your eyes.’