Bob Roth’s Special Byyyeeeeeeee

Bob Roth and the unique way he says “bye” - it really is something to hear. 

Now, how could a simple “bye” as in “goodbye” be so special? Doesn’t everyone utter this phrase every now and then? Yes, but this one is different, and the way he carries himself around this self-expression is something to behold. For good reason.

First off, some background. Bob Roth is a near-50-year teacher of Transcendental Meditation or TM. Ever since the society shutdown of 2020, he has been broadcasting a 20-minute Zoom meditation practice – for those of us who need a bit more support in our day-to-day meditation.

For over a year, for some reason (even unknown to him), Bob has been closing his sessions with an elongated and dramatic phrasing of “Byyyeeeeeeee.”

Today I heard an extra “bye” with a space in-between. Recently he created a space between the closing of the session and his utterance of the final word. 

And why is that? 

Turns out he was getting some negative feedback around this fun way of expressing his farewell. 

And it’s in his approach to the negative feedback that has inspired this post. I am so impressed. 

Normally when I get some negative feedback – especially around some of my expression – I first get defensive and then offensive, wanting to find a way of delivering a mighty and destructive comeback.  Maybe I need more meditation in my life!

For Bob, who has been calming his mind and maneuvering into those transcendental states for decades, his response was a bit less combative. And so much more mature, centered, and wise. 

Did he attack those detractors? Did he stifle his expression? Did he go quiet? No, none of those reactions would reflect the sort of mind transcending a common warpath. No – the chronology of Bob’s experience unfolded this way:

1. He received feedback.
2. He didn’t take it personal.
3. He didn’t get flustered around it or emotional.
4. He DID NOT CHANGE WHO HE IS or how he has been inspired to move about the world, in spite of a few folks who weren’t fans of a certain behavior.
5. He created a workaround so that others out there could also have their needs met.  
6. He continued to have his fun. 

His workaround was to simply let everyone know he would take a pause between the end of his audio sessions and when he completed with his signature “bye.” 

For those who wanted to disconnect before he said his goodbyes, they could do so. That way they wouldn't hear what they didn’t want to hear, and he could continue his free expression, spoken freely. 

Brilliant. 

What an inspiration. What a state of equanimity. What a perfect endorsement for this sort of freeing meditation. And what a guy. 

Leaving only one last thing to say before I take my leave…

Byyyeeeeeeee! 

The Thoughts That Do Not Matter

Sometimes I get scared. And then I wonder why.

Thoughts come and go, no more than a side-show

I mean really – anyway – what do they know?

 

To the wind, may some get splintered and scatter 

Such are the thoughts that do not matter

 

The fears that do not ultimately matter 

Reveal as anger from characters such as the Mad Hatter

 

All that’s left is a hammer and the sound of shatter 

So goes the fears that ultimately do not matter 

 

That which matters originates deeper from within 

This is the starting point, the haven from which we begin

 

Served in a feast upon the most sacred of platter 

Now we really knows what truly matters

 

 

 

A Puppy's Life

Some time doing some "puppy yoga" can really give you some perspective. 

Today I had the privilege of being in the presence of entities displaying an enlightened, superconscious higher mind. A rare treat, this experience was such a gift to my soul. I must have done something right in this lifetime (and perhaps previous lifetimes) to be invited in as witness of the divine. 

I have been present for the "darshan" of specific living avatars - Sai Baba in Southern India in 1990 and 1996, Mata Amritanandamayi in her California visits many a June, Shivabali Yogi in a special gathering in Laguna Beach in 1991.  

However today was a bit different, as it held the sort of freedom found in mind, heart and soul - a state of consciousness uncommon to so many sentient beings.  

This was the "Puppy Yoga" event at the Pacific Beach studio called Spirit Yoga. 

Yes, there they were, like a dream of effortless flow. 

Unattached, emotionally liberated, mentally all over the freaking place without a care, embracing a free spirt, a high level of equanimity and a joy unsurpassed. 

This is a goal of many a soul. And yet apparently, this is a common happenstance for all these scurrying, hurrying, flurrying beings of absolute bliss, living completely in the moment. 

I believe in my Transcendental Meditation practice, I am to ultimately reach a transcendental state, an elevated level above all worries, concerns, anxiety and judgements. 

Whereas I spend 20 minutes, two times a day in my TM practice - whereas I have spent three decades in the emotional healing field - whereas I have led numerous empowerment meetings within my men's circles, whereas I have taken countless courses in Compassionate Communication, energy work, intuitive sciences - whereas I have brought forth the higher mind in so much of my sacred writings ........ what the hell?  

These puppies seem to have reached such an advanced state simply by ... being BORN A PUPPY!

As they flew around the room, playing when glee was the need, reaching out spontaneously for a playmate, peeing when nature called, it was indeed an inspiration. These gentle and sometimes not-so-gentle guides offered me the insight:

* Don't take yourself so seriously.
* Make mistakes; it's gonna be OK.
* Chaos can be cool. 
* If you mess up, either clean it up, or someone else will; no biggy. 
* Have fun. 
* Interact - there will always be someone around to play with.
* Find others who also have fun and don't take themselves too seriously. 
* A nap can also happen.
* It's OK to ask for help - yip if something goes wrong. 
* Grab the moment; live in the moment; run in wild abandon, seize the day and seize the play.  
* Freaking GO FOR IT! 

OK - got it. 

While the highest humans may be able to reach is to "sign the waiver," I will take this puppy play, this doggy "darshan," as the gift it was meant to be. 

Watch out world. I'm inspired, uplifted, mentally and emotionally stretching and ready to live a life liberated, free ... unleashed.