When you stumble on a loose pavement slab and nearly fall, what do you do? Swear? Kick it? Write to the local authorities and complain?

How about thanking the slab and the Universe for putting it there, smiling and saying the name of your teacher, “Wow!” or “E MA HO!” (a Tibetan expression that means “How magnificent!”)?

This practice is recommended for training one’s mind to be relaxed and open should they die suddenly. Because in dying we react subconsciously just like when we stumble on a loose slab or stab our toe. As Pema Chödrön puts it, we die as we live.

When unexpected happens, how do you react? Does your vibration jump up or down? How do you want to react going forward? I will try and remember to smile at the slab next time.