Sitting at the downtown court house it's everybody's favorite what may seem like a huge waste of time lottery -jury duty! What? Everyone is here and on time? Right on the dot 9am with the exception of like two people. This is going to go quick. I think to myself. So of course, we get the big "D", Delayed. Till 1230pm. So, I whip out my phone to locate a Starbucks, too early to snag a seat at a pub. So, I begin my quest for caffeine and a place to read.
My navigation map leads me straight to the nearest Starbucks and I located a long table by the window pretty quick after placing my order. I was excited to continue the read of my Buddhist for dummies book. My church had recently decided to start looking at some the teachings. Grabbing my jumbo grande perfectly steamed but not too hot latte with some whip with room for cream, the atmosphere was perfect. Ahhh, it's time to dive into this book, trying to understand this whole noble truths structure stuff. But before I get a chance to pull the text from my purse a lady sits down next to me mid thirties or so, over sized sweater and a Bible in hand and what I assumed was a journal. Is God or Buddha or the universe snickering? I think maybe so. She smiles and says in a chipper voice "what a beautiful day huh?"
"It really is" I replied. I don't see any tracks sticking out of her bible, we may be good here.
Cringing that I may offend her, unintentionally of course, I slowly slide my book onto the table and start packing my brain muffins with the keys to mindfulness. She is humming softly to the bluesy sound track in the back ground. I notice she flipped open to Ephesians 4. Where it says "bLet no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give cgrace to those who hear." Wow! At that exact same moment I'm reading about the right speech, one of the paths, it's really getting to the same point. How cool?! Ok, geek out Jesus nerd freak out moment over, time to get serious here!
I carry on in my reading for a few tracks and a gentleman joins our table, with some sort of blended green tea, probably laced with some sort of vitamins in hand along with stacks and stacks of papers in hand. He begins to skim over what looked to be a screen play it was so thick. A writer? No laptop or I-device. My eyes caught eye of a satchel. A professor? He reaches into his jacket pocket for his glasses. Totally a professor, nailed it! The first page up at the top right hand corner was titled "An introduction to dynamics of missional development in the church". Ah,a seminary professor. This should be good.
Sip, flip, sip, sniff, sip, flip,flip sip. Time passes. People order. Coffee is made. You get the picture.
He looks up. Scans the table. Squints a bit.
"Excuse me, miss?"
I pull the one small head phone from my right ear.
"yes?" I replied thinking A.He's going to ask me for the time. B. I'm about to be plastered with a Holy Ghost divine meeting to discuss my soul or C. I have possibly spilled something on myself or have something stuck in my hair/teeth/glasses. Any of these options more than plausible.
"I don't mean to disturb you, but couldn't help but notice the book" he points to "just curious what brought you to pick it up."
"Well, my church (I guess that is what you call us, we are a rather odd group that gathers together in search of truth, trying to follow Jesus and love and care for all people. So, for now church it is.) is starting to go through some of the teachings and we are studying it."
"Oh cool, so like with all religions and seeing the differences? I've done that before very interesting."
"Um, no just Buddhism, for now anyway."
The young lady peaks out from before her Bible "So, is it like a religion study?"
Did the Christian church authentication board send you guys? Is that what this is? Am I being recorded? I really feel like I'm about to be ambushed. "No, I ....well, we are just always key on being connected to truth all around us. Wherever it shows up. Many of Jesus' teachings are similar to some concepts of the Buddha. We are just seeking truth outside of what we would label ordinary venues."
"So, it's not a Buddhist meeting. It is a Christian meeting, this church you go to?" He asks seeming genuine.
The woman laying her hands gently over her bible, head titled curiously.
"Well, sort of. I grew up evangelical. Moved toward southern Baptist and it turned into being a part of a faith community, to now we are just this group of people following Jesus. I took a quiz once that said I was a Christian Quaker mixed with Gnostic notes. I'm kind of a religious mutt if I had to put a label on it."
The professor removes his glasses "It's nice to see people open to learning new things. Anything in particular that's got you thinking different so far?"
"Not really different, yet anyway. It really is just validating for me a lot of things I believe from my own short life experience so far and what I've read about Jesus teaching us and how we should live."
Petrified I'm about to be witnessed to. The lady scoots her bible to the middle of our table. "Are you thinking about being Buddhist?"
"I guess I'm not not thinking about being a Buddhist."
"As long as you're seeking, you're getting somewhere. I don't think it's so black and white like everyone thinks it should be when finding your own way sort of speak" she flips the edges of her bible that has clearly had a good life. Highlights, fading and pages partially falling out.
The professor chimes in with enthusiasm "yeah, I mean Jesus did that a lot, you know he never told anyone the same thing about following him and yet he treated everyone the same, equal with utmost respect."
"Yeah, that's interesting the Buddha was about this whole journey on finding the path to peace. He seemed to be on this quest to help others find that too."
He's now chewing on his glasses"Anything you do to try to get closer to finding truth I think is good. Now, we may disagree on what we label as truth. For me that's God. No doubt in my mind."
"That's great, I'm just not so sure as you. The whole no doubts thing and all. The thing that intrigues me about this Buddhist mindset is that they aren't about forcing it on anyone and it's different for each person. This notion of living a life of moderation and peace is very appealing to me. And I see that with Jesus and I just want more of that."
"Jesus was about peace. Not only with yourself but with others and I don't think there is a one size fits all answer on what that looks and sounds like." She says while fixing her bun with a bobby pin.
"I think everyone wants that. Peace. As long as that focus helps you help others I think that's your goal." Says the professor as he slicks back his hair
"I think Jesus would agree with that." I say
"I think Buddha would too." Says the woman with a smile that wrinkled her nose
The professor chuckles .
I checked my phone. 10 till noon.
"Well, folks time to get back to my civil duty. Nice talking to you both."
The woman shrugs"Hope you don't have to stay too terribly long."
He says "oh jury duty that's the worst!"
"It's not as bad as I thought it would be," I smiled and scurried out of the cafe back toward the court house, inhaled a breathe of fresh air, looked up wanting to say "very funny"and yet thought to myself "well, that was refreshing."
