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!