Dispassionate Aid

At yoga today, a guy dislocated his knee cap. There was a loud pop in the room. Next thing I knew, we were propping up this man with all the blankets and pillows we could find. Five minutes later, a firetruck shows up. The firemen lift the man up onto a gurney with his yoga mat and took him to the hospital.

There were two striking things about this story. There were two different types of reactions in the room of yoga students. On the one hand, there were those who felt concern for the man, but who helped in a calm and dispassionate fashion. On the other hand, there was a student who continued to do his yoga, even with the firemen, and the gurney in the room. I was in the first group of people.

While the situation was unfolding, I made an effort to stay composed. I felt an onrush of concern for the man. However, I delved into what I was feeling, saw myself in the room from the point of view of an observor, and attained a sort of detachment. While detached, I coolly gave aid. I wonder if this sort of dispassionate aid is where my meditation practice is taking me.