As I have mentioned previously, I was born Jewish but consider myself, now, a Buddhist. I have established several practices to remind me daily of the kind of person I want to be and what matters in life.
One of those practices I call my “Arrival and Leaving Practice”. By my front door, I have created a shrine to celebrate this practice. Flanking the shrine are two huge green ceramic Foo Dogs (Lions). I collect small things, but I also love overscale items. Today, foo dog statues and figurines have become a popular Feng Shui element in homes.
The ceremony reminds me to slow down, enjoy the beginning and ending of each day, and to reflect on what matters. It reminds me to be grateful that I have a home from which to depart and to which to return.
The shrine consists of two pairs of monks’ cymbals, five or six singing bowls, two prayer wheels, inspiration stones, and items representing life elements: earth, water, air, and fire, as represented by spices, water, incense, and candles. A painting by friend Joan Lowenberg, titled “Home”, hangs on the wall of the shrine. The selection of items and the number of each is according to my choice, just because I can never stop at one!
On leaving home and on arriving home again, I sound the bells, spin the prayer wheels, select motivations for the day or night, and reflect on the elements of life.
Friends have teased me, to no avail, that I need to be ready to leave home 30 minutes earlier, and it takes me 30 minutes longer to arrive, if only because of having to orchestrate the ceremony. So the slowing down does work!
