Moments Of Moksha

judithnilan

May 9

May 9, 2024

Moksha
Interdependence
Oneness

Arriving in Ireland today, I anticipated these encounters, these moments of moksha, a term from my spiritual community that holds the energy of belonging together. An energy that I find rooted in Irish heritage and manifest in how the Irish interact with others. Sometimes as simple as eye contact that says 'I see you', a brief yet meaningful interaction. This started last night when we boarded the plane for Shannon Airport. As I made my way down the aisle to my seat, a man held my gaze for a moment, nodded, and said, "You look happy." I was. He saw me and was compelled to acknowledge me.

There was a sense of moksha from the customs agent who stamped my passport, the agent who pulled me aside to scan my bags and joked about whether I was bringing cannabis into the country, and the men at the Hertz desk where I collected my rental car.

I thought I recognized the checker at SuperValu where I stopped for groceries on the way to the cottage, but after 24 hours of traveling I was a bit foggy. She spoke first. "Don't I know you? How long are you home for this time?" And it turns out she does as her partner had helped haul the massive cast iron cooker from the cottage several years ago. And we had a lovely conversation with no concern about those behind me in line, as I find is the way with conventions here. It's about being together in the moment and people are generally patient with that because they understand the importance of moksha.

I have often assumed this sense of moksha comes in part from the Brehon Laws, the ancient codes and agreements about how the Irish were together in community, in right relationship with each other. Those were the codes that stated the many specific requirements for hospitality. And codes are still present in the people today. I actually had a lovely conversation about this with my seat mate on the plane who works as an audio engineer for the Irish television station and remembered an Irish speaker friend of mine starring in a recent movie.

Among other groceries, I picked up a pear and almond loaf cake. Although I'm not eating much sugar these days, such a pastry is required when neighbors stop by for tea as Mick will tomorrow. It's just what's done, a rule of hospitality that was strongly confirmed by my Irish seat mate.