Lonely Diner

   Subway delays and a fire investigation and Rosedale station prevent me from stopping for dinner before the meditation class starts. By the time the session finishes, I am just living on the granola bars I had brought with me. I decide to stop off somewhere close to Centerpoint Mall, on Yonge and Steeles area, only to find the lady at Tim Horton's packing up and taking out the garbage. If Tim Horton's, of all places, is closing, then there is not much of a chance of anything being open. After all,  it is just a bit after 10 pm. I suppose not too many people are thinking of dinner at this time of the day.
   Thinking that all is hopeless, I stumble upon a Sushi place just beside the Tim Hortons. As I gently lift the door, I shyly wonder whether they are still serving food at the late hour. A kind waitress greets me, though she appears puzzled by the fact that there is only one of me. Seeing that I am not doing take out, she motions me to a curtained booth. I quickly order vegetable yaki noodle, and tea. When the salad and soup arrive, my body feels the relief of fresh food and not the kind of food that is prepared in a rush or processed. My body seems to ease into the seat.
   Soon, I feel grateful for the food and the atmosphere, as I hear the tinkling of jazz piano music streaming through a satellite radio. I decide then and there to treat each bite with care, just as the servers must have put care into the meal itself. I put aside the two books I was simultaneously reading, and I put my mind on the dinner itself.  Even though I felt the solitude of being there by myself, I was able to absorb myself in that moment. I was able to engage with the conversation in the booth ahead of me, and take in the excitement of the two men across from me, who were conversing in a different language from me.
  During the meditation earlier today, one of the participants had explained how interesting it was to sometimes hear a Buddhist talk or guided meditation that suddenly 'clicks', for no other reason than it resonates in the present moment. While listening to the meditation, she was able to finally become present just by hearing the words or phrases, 'be present'. I still don't fully understand how or why it works that way. I think it has to do with the fact that there are certain moments where the mind is able to tune into itself. especially when fully relaxed. Only when the mind is still and receptive can this be done. I can listen to words over and over, but if I cannot access  an experience through the words, I am left just reciting them or hearing them over and over until they sink  in..
    Every daily moment is an opportunity to resonate with the true mind. Even in a restaurant, just receiving the experience is like coming home wherever one is, even if it is a strange place or a lonely place.