Moment by Moment

Still in DC.  Still surrounded by 5000 mathematicians, and I have slowly become aware of a different feeling while I’ve been here.  In general, it seems there is a higher level of courtesy than I’m used to from the various people outside the conference in the hotel and such.  People are more aware of themselves and their actions.  When they bump into you, they apologize.  Just now, a man left his phone at a computer in the lobby, and the person waiting for the computer noticed, and chased him halfway across the lobby to return the phone, and in the meantime, no one took the free computer, despite a line with about 10-15 people in it.  I think this is wonderful, and honestly believe that there’s no reason we can’t always behave like this.  I’m not trying to say that mathematicians are more polite.  What I’m getting at instead is that people are more aware because of the nature of the gathering.  We are here amongst peers and colleagues, and in my case, several heroes.  As a result, we are more aware of our actions, and the result is a sort of peaceful and helpful coexistence, though we are here in vast numbers.  Another interesting observation is the sheer quiet of the entire building.  You would expect this many people milling about and talking to be very loud, but I have had no problems ever talking to people, even in the very crowded exhibition hall or lobby of the hotel.  I think this is a result of the same fact, our heightened awareness because of our circumstances.  

The Buddhist tradition that I’m familiar with is very concerned with this state of awareness.  This seems to be a part of the focus of meditation, to improve this awareness.  For many, this is an internal awareness of emotions and thoughts.  But it seems to me that internal awareness should accompany the type of “external” awareness that I’m talking about.

My point in all of this is simple.  If we feel like we are expected to behave a certain way, we tend to behave this way.  So why not try to live with this sort of awareness all of the time?  Live each moment as though the people around you are equals and valued colleagues, and peers, and even personal heroes, because that’s what they really are.  Each of us contain the potential to be all of these things for each other.