Enjoying Meditation, Serenity, and Living Small

There's a wonderful temple and Monastery in Chiang Mai, on the banks of the Mae Ping River. It has a school, vendors selling birds and frogs to release, and a red and gilt temple with hundreds of candles burning in front. Inside the monks chant their daily office to no-god, and offer blessings and advice to anyone who wanders in and asks. I've spent a few hours in that temple trying to think of nothing. One cool afternoon I was walking by and distracted the boy monk who had been focused on his chanting. Our eyes met for a moment and we shared a half smile before he turn back to his prayers. No time to compose or focus, so I grabbed the photo from waist level. You can see that serene face clearly enough, though, living small.