Mindrolling with the Mindrolling (MINH-droh-lyng) Monks

Older monks shuffle
Younger ones scurry
Circumnambulating The Monastry, The Devaloka Stoopa
... or the village of Clement Town
Predawn clusters and sunrise parasols
Anytime spinning prayer wheels

Pujas called by conch
Mornings at 6am and afternoons at 4pm
Sitting, fidgetting, whispering, laughing
Mantras, mudras, oms
Bells, drums, gongs and horns
Not noise but pulsing energy

Rice brought to the altar
Rice taken away
Water filled
Water emptied
High fives all round
Wrap up and run
More 'dallying' than Dalia Lama
These monks are just getting on with it
Happy, even jolly
Quiet but present
Plugged in to the world
iPods, Smartphones and cappucinos
Step through the portal into mini Tibet
Outside exists as only aware
The air smells different
The streets are clear
The people are gentle
The way is soft
Fall into the rhythm
The hum of meditation
Thoughts without thinkers
Time cannot exist
Just the mindfulness of each moment
Mindrolling with the Mindrolling Monks