Enlightenment & A Frozen Hot Chocolate

I live near a place called Serendipity, a restaurant famous for their sundaes and desserts. Serendipity has been a popular establishment with teenagers and tourists since its opening in the 1950s. Since the movie “Serendipity” with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale came out last fall, the place has had a staggering one- to two-hour wait every night of the week.

And what is Serendipity most known for? Frozen hot chocolates. I learned a long time ago that one couldn’t fully understand the delicious and mammoth blend of twelve-chocolates dessert without experiencing it. Think about it: A frozen hot chocolate. It’s like one of those “koans” developed by the Zen Buddhists to produce changes in our perceptions and understanding. A koan is a puzzle that cannot be simply answered because it is paradoxical. For example, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” A frozen hot chocolate is a paradox within itself.

Let’s demystify the term “enlightenment” for practical usage. To be enlightened is to be wise. Wisdom comes through understanding. Understanding comes through experience. Experience is a byproduct of action. The experience of having a frozen hot chocolate for the first time is similar for everyone. Following your first spoonful, a spark fires across your brain and the accompanying facial expression is one of “Ah, I get it.” Yes! A moment of enlightenment.

Having a frozen hot chocolate isn’t necessarily an experience we all must have (though they are darn good), but what are some experiences that are “Musts” for you within this lifetime?

For me, I have yet to travel to New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, Thailand and India, to discover the true beauties of poetry, to find the woman of my dreams, to hike the Appalachian Trail, to thoroughly understand the implications of quantum theory, and to become fluent in another language. Also, I have yet to sky dive or hang glide, to master a form of martial arts, to free-climb in Yosemite, to ski the Alps, to stare into my child’s eyes, to write a bestselling novel, to become a proficient speed reader, to fully trust my intuition, to achieve the physique I envision for myself, and to live in the present moment. (To name a few.)

Again, what are some of the experiences that you Must Have in this lifetime? (List at least twenty.) Which experiences are you committed to having within the next six months? (List at least three.)

Remember, you don’t need to travel to distant lands or partake in an extreme sport to fully experience life: Magical life experiences await you in this very moment. Take a fully conscious, slow deep breath. Smile for no apparent reason. Sing when no one’s listening. Dance when no one’s watching. Learn to find the beauty in everyone you meet. Love yourself unconditionally right now.

Life is a series of moments -- we choose the quality of these moments. Be aware of all the richness interwoven through your life experience and embrace an exciting adventure.

Happy Journeys!
Scott Jeffrey