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Kindness in the city

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Taxi drivers fascinate me.  You can pretty much always strike up a conversation with a taxi driver, whether it be of the polite small-talk variety, the comedic, the road-rage hysterical, or even the politically incorrect. Then there’s the friendly conversationalist.

The last of these always brings to mind an encounter I feel fortunate to have had. I was in a taxi heading home from drinks in the city one night, and somehow ended up chatting to the driver about meditation. I wasn’t a meditator at the time, but had been thinking about taking it up. The taxi driver told me that he spent half of every year living in Thailand, and the other half in Sydney. For the six months that he spent in Thailand he would routinely take ten days to do a Vipassana, otherwise known as the ten-day meditation course where you remain in silence for the entire duration. It was an uncanny moment of synchronicity for me as he was about the third person in the space of a week who had, unprompted, mentioned this technique to me.

Over the course of the 15 minute commute, he open-heartedly shared his personal experiences, explaining that it was both the hardest and the best thing that he had ever done.

It’s so refreshing when two strangers are able to relate on a personal level in such unexpected situations. We were still chatting away when we arrived at my destination, and though the meter read $18.25, he said in the most kindly manner: “Just make it $15, because that’s my lucky number, and I just want to thank you for the conversation. I hope you have a happy life.” No kidding. When was the last time a stranger wished you “a happy life”?! I thanked him and wished him the same before we both went on our merry ways.

I always feel so happy when I experience heartfelt encounters like these, especially in an urban and digital context where people often forget to slow down and connect. There are a few organisations in Sydney that are all about spreading kindness and creating community through regular events: Wake Up Sydney* and The Conscious Club** are two of my local favourites. Before you go thinking kumbaya chant circles, these night time sell out events feature engaging speakers, short films, live music and delicious food. If that’s not enough to entice you, you’ll also find yourself amongst a crowd of good looking and like-minded individuals.

What tales of kindness have you encountered in your local neighbourhood?

MEET THE LOCAL: CHARMAINE PANG

 

*Wake Up is a community of 20,000+ people who come together to to enjoy music, film, meditation and conversation in order to celebrate “kindness and wisdom”. Learn more here: http://wakeupproject.com.au

**The Conscious Club is dedicated to creating conscious community through the medium of ‘enlighter-tainment’. What does this mean? Each Conscious Club event weaves together “enlightening” entertainment of all genres, including live music, films, knowledge presentations, meditation sessions and delicious vegetarian food. Learn more here: http://consciousclub.com

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