Before the retreat began,
there was already
a mysterious brown cloth
placed on each meditation cushion.
Many wondered what it was for.
Was it for sitting upon?
Was it for bowing upon?
So as to keep the cushion clean?
Some said it should be kept clean.
Some just put it aside.
No one had any clear idea what it was for,
though no one asked either.
On the last day of the retreat,
it was announced that it is a gift for retreatants,
it is just a handkerchief,
of the same colour as the cushion.
I had a laugh.
I didn’t see it as a handkerchief,
before… and after.
It’s now a cape on one of my brown toy dogs!
Related Article:
The Case of the Ridiculous Cat Ritual
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thedailyenlightenment-realisation/message/369