We are all using technology to reach out to people around the world using Zoom and I like it. I am also using Virtual Reality to travel from my current environment (a major snowstorm in the eastern portion of the USA) to meditate somewhere in the Himalayas using the Oculus Quest VR headset.
In this VR scenario there is a Buddhist Temple and Stupa in the mountains and I circumnavigate (Kora) the Stupa several times before we are called to meditate. For this, I go into the temple and there is a golden Buddha framed on either side with several Manjushri Thangkas along the front wall.
Although I am alone and meditating, a couple of hackers come in and try to disturb me. It’s like a lucid dream! I don’t react. I’m not bothered by what’s happening. It was good practice, I think. Later, outside, the teacher asks people to share their meditation experience. One woman mentions that the sound of the bells reminds her of the music she is listening to now during her isolated days and nights. Later, I ask her what she is listening to for warmth. It’s Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas #4 & #6—and it’s #4 I am listening to as I write. I wonder if Andrew plays these? I like #4, but I like #6 better.
I had a dream the other night where part of it seemed to be in a virtual reality setting, so maybe there is something to be said for spending time this way.
