Day 23 of 365: Gaps

Today's contemplation was originally going to be a Middle Way logic refuting the true existence of the elements.  That will be tomorrow's fodder.  This evening was a great reminder that life frequently offers us opportunities, direct invitations really, to jump right into the Middle Way.  As the organizer of the Open House Dharma talks, I have frequently had the thought "What if the speaker doesn't show?"  Well, tonight I had the opportunity to work with that fear mano-a-mano.  A dharma friend, who was originally going to give the talk, got stuck in traffic at the last minute.  Gap moment.  At these times, it really feels superfluous to contemplate anything really.  One already has a direct opportunity to work with emptiness.  Doing anything other than just staying there for a second is like trying to turn on the light in a room that is already bright to borrow a metaphor from Khenpo.  So, tomorrow I'll work with noticing and appreciating these moments, big or small.  If you don't have any moments, you can (at your own risk): run into a wall (yes, unfortunately I admit that I have done that unintentionally), try to startle yourself, eat chocolate syrup expecting balsamic vinegar (personal experience), or crank up your car stereo the night before and forget you did so the next morning.  Other ways might include visiting an art exhibit or a garden, telling someone you love them the first time, proposing, seeing a child walk for the first time.  What's your favorite?