Guest blogger: Di Tien

Di Tien has been visiting from Connecticut. I asked her to write something for the blog which is very exciting because her time with us has been special and she is also a very eloquent writer.

I love to look at Rosie. I marvel at her pink lips the color of the inside of a conch shell. When she yawns, her mouth sometimes forms the shape of race track shape or a heart. She often stares up at lights; she’s mesmerized by them. Her face lights up when she’s in the bath. I love her miniature nose, her tiny slivers of toe nails, her chubby cheeks.

Recently I became intrigued by the ideas of Hildegard von Bingen, a nun who lived in Germany in the 12^th century. She believed that we are all born with original wisdom, and when we are babies, the wisdom is folded up in our bodies like a golden tent. I like this notion. It reminds me of the Buddhist belief that we are all capable of reaching enlightenment.

As I watch Rosie, I think about the wisdom she has to share with me. I’ve noticed that when she inhales her entire upper body – including her belly – expands. A few years ago, I took a longevity breathing class at a tai chi school and learned that our bodies function optimally when we are engaged in deep abdominal breathing. I was told Tai chi masters studied how babies breathed and mimicked them. When we breathe deeply, more oxygen enters the lungs and reaches the brain.

When Rosie cries, I’m reminded that suffering is part of life. As I hold her, kiss the top of her head, and bounce to soothe her, part of me wishes I could protect her so she would never experience physical pain, heartache, or loss. But, at the same time, I won’t want to rob her of opportunities to grow in compassion and wisdom.

The other night I set Rosie down in her chair, and she looked very content as she smiled at me. She’s such a charmer. Her big grin and chubbiness reminded me of the laughing Buddha.