‘Please do not annoy your neighbours.’
I don’t remember where I heard this, nor could I find much about it on the internet, but apparently this is a reminder at the beginning of flights in Japan. The idea itself pleases me greatly, whether it’s true or not. I think it’s an excellent reminder, one that should be posted in places like public transit, yoga studios, coffee shops and definitely the spa.
The rule of silence in a spa like Scandinave can help to set the tone…or set the not-tone…for an experience of relaxation unlike any other.
The popular and immaculately sculpted grounds built seemingly in the middle of a forest north of Whistler Village was the perfect place to go and unwind while on a little jaunt up the mountain this past weekend. We repeatedly alternated between a hot sauna and a cold pool, then back into a hot tub to soften our edges amid steamy trees and mountains as the clean heavy rain plopped down on us from an early evening sky.
While lounging there, with nothing to be concerned about and nowhere else to be, I must confess: I still managed to get annoyed. I sat in the tub like a mountain queen, eyes closed relishing in the silence and funky jiggle of a jet pulsing into my lower back. My thoughts, still and serene only moments before, quickly started jumping around in reaction to a couple of giggling, chattering girls. Should I say something? I thought. I don’t want to be rude to the other guests. Where is the spa attendant? What a couple jerks. Why isn’t anyone saying anything? Can’t they READ? I should just accept this. Actually, screw that, I should totally say something…
My monkey mind jumped around and back again a few times before I managed to catch it. Aversion! I got you! One of the three root causes of misery*, right there in Mountain Heaven. (*According to Buddhist philosophy, the other two are Craving and Ignorance.)
It was remarkable how easy it was to steal my peace. I brought my awareness back to my sensations; the jet, the cool rain, the smell of the trees and eucalyptus, and decided to use the experience to strengthen the balance of my mind.
As I attempted to settle into the moment, chatty and all, a lovely sound – heavenly really – hit my soggy ears.
‘SHHHHHHH’. Hissed my darling husband, visibly irritated and glaring directly at them. The chatting immediately ceased, not to resume again.
Thank God not everyone sees a need to accept things as they are.
🙂 Jen.
P.S. Happy birthday Kev. You are my favourite person in the entire world.
