THE SILENT REVIEW_SUMMER EDITION 2021_WEB

THE FLIGHT OF DISCOVERY
By Dainiel Troyak
Operating to Dubai, I remember the captain explaining over the speakers how stable
the A380 flies. He asked everyone on-board if they notice the liquid ripples in their glass.
Of course, there were no ripples because the aircraft computers fix even the slightest
disturbance over the airframe.
Often I think about that
flight and how profound
the captain’s statement
was. Imagine if we had a
computer that could fix
disturbances in our life?
We do!
22 years in aviation have
passed in the blink of an
eye. If I’m lucky, I’ll have
a few more to reconfigure
that computer.
For many years I’ve been
working as a Buddhist
prison chaplain. I
remember arriving back
As Buddhists we call
this kind of compassion
Bodhicitta. The intention
to awaken in life in order
to help others awaken
in life.
My work is to counsel,
support and guide
inmates in maximum
security with the
altruistic and ethical
teachings of Buddhism.
Through mindfulness
techniques, reflection
and contemplation, we
learn to understand that
computer – our mind.
Some would argue, the
Buddha was the world's
best cognitive therapist.
from LAX, having a quick shower
and driving to Long Bay Correctional
Centre with that nagging feeling of
fatigue. You all know it!
Inmates would tell me how tired I
looked. I was driven by compassion.
Reconfiguring the
mind isn’t easy. In my
years of practising
meditation, I can say
with absolute certainty,
it works. I’ve learnt to integrate
traditional mindfulness meditation and
contemplative skills in a therapeutic
way that can be applied to anyone.
I’m not a very fancy Buddhist. Often
in a cap, jeans, a tee and Nike's,
46 SUMMER EDITION 2021