Written by Noel Coakley

“During mindfulness practice, the situation we are applying mindful, loving awareness to is everything we are experiencing in mind and body. That is the teacher. Then, we have breakfast with the family, commute to work, or sit in that first meeting. Now we have new teachers. These are all the situations in which we are practicing mindful, loving awareness. ”

The Grateful Dead were known for having a legendary road crew, Steve Parish among them.

A well-known story tells of the time when a police officer, displeased with the seemingly chaotic hippie circus pulling gear off a truck, demanded to know: “Who is in charge here?!”

Parish famously responded, “The situation is the boss, man!”

This saying became a central operating ethos for the crew and the band. If there was an equipment failure, a schedule delay, or someone dosed all of the coffee, it was the current truth of the situation that was in charge of what everyone was doing in response to it.

I draw a parallel perspective with generalizing meditation practice into everyday life. We can tweak the phrase a little to say: the situation is the teacher.

There’s “on the cushion” practice, which involves formal practice, usually under supportive conditions. Then there is “off the cushion,” where we work on bringing that practice into the rest of life.

Let’s say we have our 15-20 minute mindfulness practice in the morning. During that time, the situation we are applying mindful, loving awareness to is everything we are experiencing in mind and body. That is the teacher.

Then, we have breakfast with the family, commute to work, or sit in that first meeting. Now we have new teachers. These are all the situations in which we are practicing mindful, loving awareness.

Someone cuts you off in traffic — teacher. Someone holds the door for you — teacher. Promotion — teacher. Weird email — teacher. Got a cold — teacher. Bowl of soup — teacher.

Taking this perspective can also be applying what’s called the guru principle. The term guru is often thought of only as a person with a high level of realization. Literally, the term means “dispeller of darkness.” In other words, in broadest terms, a guru is anything that sheds light on the truth.

If we are holding a broad view like that, everything, everyone, and all situations become our guru, our teacher. Every moment is an opportunity for learning, awakening, and practice.

Precious opportunities can be found in every corner of every moment.