An Ahimsa Experience

Last Saturday Kathy and I went to a meditation retreat.  We had a good time.  During the afternoon meditation time, the lady next to me began to cough.  It was a bit distracting as I was trying to picture the sky and clouds as the monk had guided us.  As the coughing lady walked  away and to the bathroom, I realized that instead of being annoyed, I could be praying for her.  So, I prayed, even as the lady kept coughing.  I began to realize she must have been frustrated and probably embarrassed. So I prayed with earnest. The lady finally did stop coughing and rejoined us.  After the time of meditation as over, the monk encouraged us to share our experience with our neighbors.  I talked with my neighbor making sure she was ok. She appreciated the prayers and said she was better. In the end, my neighbor and I had a better experience  because I had compassion for my neighbor instead of annoyance.