Dog's Mantra

There I was, walking my sister's dog Waffle - the cutest, most mischievous labradoodle you've ever seen (hence the Halti on his snout). Whenever we're out, if Waffle spots another dog, cat, or even a random person, he goes into full-on play mode, jumping and bouncing around like a miniature poodle. The thing is, Waffle seems to have conveniently forgotten he's a 26kg solid muscle Labrador trapped in a poodle's face!

To keep this furry wrecking ball from causing chaos, I have a special command word to try and rein him in. Well, on one particular walk, as I was about to utter that sacred phrase to prevent Waffle from pouncing on a poor old lady with a walker (yes, really), something bizarre happened. Instead of the command, the words that came tumbling out of my mouth were...my personal meditation mantra!

I looked at Waffle in disbelief, and that goofy pup had the most puzzled expression, as if to say, "What are you on about?" It finally dawned on me why - the command and my mantra happened to start with the same letter and share a letter in the middle. No wonder I got my spiritual side and dog commending crossed!

Meditation a lot of the times feels like a battle for me, my mind restlessly cycling through to-do lists (like writing this post) or heavy thoughts about the state of the world. But occasionally, I'll slip into a deep, trance-like zone where profound realizations wash over me amidst the calm clarity.

Reflecting on the "mantra incident" a day later, I had one of those weird epiphanies. I realized that just as my mantra is meant to anchor me in the present, Waffle's command helps him stay grounded too - regulating himself to fully experience nature's sights, smells, and wonders (including choosing the most inconvenient poop spots for me to deal with). It prevents him from getting thrown off course by every temptation that walks, trots, or rolls by.

As I write this, I couldn't help but chuckle at the bizarre parallel between my spiritual practice and Waffle's very different definition of being "present." But it also reminded me that, like my furry friend, I sometimes need a gentle nudge to resist distractions and stay true to my core desires and values. It's so easy to mindlessly indulge in temptations - having one too many glasses of wine, staying up late aimlessly scrolling social media (I'm admittedly an addict), or seeking fleeting pleasures that ultimately undermine my long-term wellbeing.

Part of me thought, "Wouldn't it be great if I had someone to firmly remind me to resist those impulses, like Waffle's command?" But then I realized, much like that stubborn pup, I'd probably ignore them half the time anyway! I don't take kindly to being bossed around. Still, those small moments of mindful presence and self-connection, however brief, can make a world of difference.

So while my sister’s dog might never understand the philosophies behind my meditation mantra, perhaps he's been embodying the core principle all along - staying rooted in the here and now, one sighting at a time. I've got to appreciate the simple wisdom in that.