Last week, on Thursday, we were at a Indian Grocery store and after that I could not trace my leather gloves. It has been a severe winter and without it it was a painful task to get out in the morning to dust off the snow from my car. This was the second pair that I had lost in the last months and each costs $20- so you can imagine my upset at being stupid enough to repeat the mistake.
On Friday morning, I saw that the car windows were covered with frost but I went to work with the scrapper , wearing just the woolen gloves. Later I started the car, turned on the heater, locked the car with the engine running using a spare key and stepped back into the warmth of my home and for a cup of coffee. In ten minutes, I was on my way to work.
After parking the car in the basement I picked up my laptop bag, lunch bag, another plastic carry bag containing some winter wear and both car keys. Having pocketed the keys, I walked up to the digital employee ID scanner which opened the door to the building with a clicking sound. As I reached the door to my office, I realized that I was missing my spare key. I was distraught. I opened the door , placed my bags inside and decided to re-trace my steps to the car to see if I had dropped it en route. I prayed briefly to Ramana Maharshi’s portrait in my office and stepped out. I walked with my eyes scanning the floor- and moved out of the building’s automated door to the parking lot- no sign of the key. I opened the car door and checked everywhere. I even walked around the car and looked underneath to see if it had fallen there- no luck. At this point I realized that my key had gone missing and that I had left my ID card in my office – so I could not get into the building now! At that moment I noticed another car was parking and an Indian stepping out. I decided to following him and enter the building quietly when he opened the door with his ID. So I picked up my pace and kept very close behind him. He swiped his ID and entered while holding the door briefly for me. At the moment, in what I consider a miracle, my myopic eyes spotted the key on the dark floor. I picked it up in one smooth movement without letting the door close
Once inside the office I sat down at my desk and thanked Providence for this favor.
Later , on Saturday, my son informed me that he found my gloves behind the settee in the living room.
I new then that I had gained more than a pair of gloves or a wayward key. I regained a misplaced faith. These miracles have re-affirmed my faith in the One without the Second. I feel humbled by the experience - He took pity on me and showed me the way…
I want to conclude this with a quote from “The Little Zen Companion”:
The Way is not difficult; only there must be no wanting or not wanting.
Chao-Chou
On Friday morning, I saw that the car windows were covered with frost but I went to work with the scrapper , wearing just the woolen gloves. Later I started the car, turned on the heater, locked the car with the engine running using a spare key and stepped back into the warmth of my home and for a cup of coffee. In ten minutes, I was on my way to work.
After parking the car in the basement I picked up my laptop bag, lunch bag, another plastic carry bag containing some winter wear and both car keys. Having pocketed the keys, I walked up to the digital employee ID scanner which opened the door to the building with a clicking sound. As I reached the door to my office, I realized that I was missing my spare key. I was distraught. I opened the door , placed my bags inside and decided to re-trace my steps to the car to see if I had dropped it en route. I prayed briefly to Ramana Maharshi’s portrait in my office and stepped out. I walked with my eyes scanning the floor- and moved out of the building’s automated door to the parking lot- no sign of the key. I opened the car door and checked everywhere. I even walked around the car and looked underneath to see if it had fallen there- no luck. At this point I realized that my key had gone missing and that I had left my ID card in my office – so I could not get into the building now! At that moment I noticed another car was parking and an Indian stepping out. I decided to following him and enter the building quietly when he opened the door with his ID. So I picked up my pace and kept very close behind him. He swiped his ID and entered while holding the door briefly for me. At the moment, in what I consider a miracle, my myopic eyes spotted the key on the dark floor. I picked it up in one smooth movement without letting the door close
Once inside the office I sat down at my desk and thanked Providence for this favor.
Later , on Saturday, my son informed me that he found my gloves behind the settee in the living room.
I new then that I had gained more than a pair of gloves or a wayward key. I regained a misplaced faith. These miracles have re-affirmed my faith in the One without the Second. I feel humbled by the experience - He took pity on me and showed me the way…
I want to conclude this with a quote from “The Little Zen Companion”:
The Way is not difficult; only there must be no wanting or not wanting.
Chao-Chou
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