Airport Diaries

“Zen In Transit”

At my present position at the airport, I feel especially blessed whenever I can assist Japanese passengers. They normally travel in big groups of 30-40 people under the expert representation of one guide only who normally leads them all on. Other than this guide nobody in the group knows English with due respect. The guide instructs them all in a quick meeting/ rundown in Japanese and all of them listen intently, each one of them pays attention to the detail. Nobody ever interferes or challenges the knowledge and experience of the group leader or guide. They all follow instructions very properly and never make any silly mistakes and they never lose their focus.

They seem ready, ready to lean into the unknown trusting the joy, the whispers, the nudges, trusting whatsoever is expansive. Trusting their process. Whereas, something like scanning passports at certain kiosks can be unnerving, tedious or annoying for an average traveller. Definitely not for the Japanese. Their documents are very well organized, not just on their smart devices but in hard copies as well. Even when they use any machines or services at the airport they are extremely careful and gentle, as if items have senses or emotions. No matter how big a group they are all very calm and seem to be very comfortable. They line up straight when they present their documents, and their documents are presented in a system, a specific order as if naturally trained to do so.

There are a certain calm and glow of contentment on their faces. Each one of them smiles with a mouth closed and bow down gently when we wish them a safe flight. There is a specific reflection of peace on their faces and evident in body language as if they are all in a process to submit to universe, not to mention their energy calms down the hustle & bustle & nervousness of a strictly secure and uptight environment into a free spirit that only a butterfly can experience gently fluttering all over a Buddha statue. I love to receive these travellers.

They make themselves available to what is forever beyond the scope of thought, imagination and understanding; “always ready” attitude. No wonder this attitude gradually replaces and retire the ego and take over the reins of their lives in the most easeful, graceful and spectacular way.

Another peculiar thing that I notice in all of them is that none of them carry any drinks, junk food or leftover food in their hands at all. I never see anyone chewing gum, even their children and toddlers are never seen eating out of boredom, they are mostly well behaved and reflect no signs of overexcitement or hyperactivity. A vast majority of these passengers are in relatively great physical shape and energetic, most of their seniors walk independently and there is the least number of wheelchairs trend among these groups. All of this clearly reflects their healthier lifestyle choices. They seem to travel light as they have very limited carry on luggage and don’t ever seem to be overwhelmed, which I believe is clearly due to their graceful, content & minimalist attitude unlike that of an average North American. They may not know, nor may this world realize yet their presence radiates. There are people in this world who represent more good and peace just by simply being than all the statesmen, preachers, gurus, and philanthropists put together. They unintentionally spread light and peace, not to mention common sense with no strenuous efforts. They are just normal people, yet a class apart, they seem to take nothing as their own, they are neither proud nor do they crave for undue attention.
They seem to be continuously working on the process of illumination of unnecessary liabilities and seamlessly building on what they already have. I never find them indulged in chitchat, I guess that’s why the aura around them is peaceful and warm. Their sense of freedom doesn’t comprise showing off in any way or the over usage of their human rights ever for they are all about acceptance and submission.

How I feel about them all is hard to explain, harder still to relate to at times yet entirely true. They make me feel like writing love letters to myself, in praise of blessings that have been bestowed upon me and in praise of my surroundings, in praise of this universe, space and everything that exists in any cavity or vacuum of any time and space. They secretly open the doors in the hearts & minds of all who are present in their presence! They uplift me, they make me happy and hopeful, they make me believe and submit. I look forward to seeing my Japanese travellers daily at work, they are my Zen in Transit!