Vegas Jackpot


by Mary Bauer - Date: 2006-12-16 - Word Count: 449 Share This!

Recently, my husband and I took a trip to Las Vegas. We had never been there before, and let me just say that the people watching is fabulous-far superior to anywhere else we've ever been, including state fairs, city festivals, concerts, and expos. Probably because it truly is the city that never sleeps, so the people watching opportunities are nonstop. Las Vegas makes people everywhere else seem, well, predictable.

Yet somewhere in the midst of my watching enthrallment, a Buddha quote came to mind: "He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye." Las Vegas has to be one of the best places in the world to validate Buddha's ancient philosophy, as well as for some in-your-face self-discovery.

A case in point is the man I saw at the breakfast buffet. (Hey, it's Vegas; you have to do at least one buffet, right?) While the man was away from his table, one of the efficient waitresses whisked away his plate. She was, perhaps, a little too efficient. When the man returned he threw a royal fit because his plate was missing. The waitress apologized profusely and offered to replace the plate of food with another, but no, that would not do, he fumed, because he couldn't remember what was on his plate.

If you've never been to a buffet before, let me assure you that there are acres of food available for the choosing. The food on display is both a vivid example of extreme gluttony and an artful showcasing of culinary talent. You will not starve.

So does our perturbed fellow accept that his plate is gone and fill another? No. He makes a beeline to the waitress station and digs through the pile of dirty dishes looking for his plate. His excuse is that he needs to see what was on it because he can't possibly assemble such a masterpiece ever again. By now, he has two other waitresses pulled into his little drama.

He was the most ridiculous looking person I had ever seen. And then Buddha's words hit me: "He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings…"

This man digging through the garbage was me. Every time I won't accept what is happening in my life, I am this man. Every time I can't move on with my life, I am this man. Every time I refuse to forgive someone, I am this man. Every time I sit in judgment of someone, I am this man.

Jackpot!

Copyright Mary M. Bauer. You are free to use this article in part of full provided you include the bio.


Related Tags: las vegas, buddha, philosophy, unity, jackpot, self-discovery, buffet

Mary M. Bauer is the author of five books, including The Truth About You: Things You Don't Know You Know (VanderWyk & Burnham, 2006). Visit http://marymbauer.com

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