From the story archive · Fictional encounter
Finally certified as a yoga instructor. First class ever. Twenty students looking at me expectantly. I demonstrate a forward fold and say, "Now breathe deeply and release any tension." The barking spider took that instruction quite literally.
Without missing a beat, I added, "And that, everyone, is why we practice equanimity in the face of life's unexpected moments." Somehow got five-star reviews.
For those of you wondering, I've actually written about managing barking spiders during meditation on my personal blog - it's become something of a specialty of mine!