The Watermelon Masterclass

This may be the first idea for a free masterclass on Notepd.com. I recently ordered a watermelon from the supermarket. This was unusual for me because I normally buy the precut watermelon when I'm in the store. It's not that I know how to "pick" the best watermelon and it requires my presence- NO - It's more like I like the ease of having the watermelon cut and already packaged. But this time was different and my experience with the watermelon and the lessons I learned is how the Watermelon Masterclass came to be. One Masterclass of many Masterclasses are self-study. Masterclasses are 100% FREE Masterclasses are designed to be consumed in one sitting. Masterclasses will have practical real life applications. No theory. A lot of metaphors, allegories, and lessons. Everything is experiential. "I Don't Know Mind Approach is Encouraged. I am not here to defend nor attack. C'mon I Love You!!!! (Feels strange - I know...duh!) Feel free to utter what you must and the only thing that I could ever comfortably say is "Is that so?" Don't take my word for it, you ain't heard nuttin' from me! Pardon any typos..I've been known to omit a few things from time to time. (Helps keep my ego in check) P.S. The only way you're going to know - the only way you're going to know - the only way you're going to know is if YOU USE IT. If you use it - your questions disappear. If you don't use it - your questions keep coming are endless. This is Experiential. Intellectuals will have a difficult time with any Masterclass. 100% Guaranteed Positive Results

1. Sweet, like you.

This entire thing started because I wanted the watermelon to be sweet and it wasn't. But there are several layers to this. What is sweet? Why was I so disappointed when I discovered the watermelon wasn't "sweet?" At first, I was cutting the watermelon neatly into squares. Suddenly, I didn't care about the shape or the size. What was having this experience - me, the watermelon, or both? I felt that anger toward the watermelon but inside I knew that I wasn't upset for the reasons I was telling myself. I was really upset because my idea of what sweetness tastes like in a watermelon wasn't met. Yet I projected my feelings onto the watermelon, the person who picked the watermelon at the store, as well as the farmer who grew it. (And as far as I know, neither of them is aware of my experience) There are some that would eat that same watermelon and swear I don't know what I'm talking about and they would be right. There are people who would say I'm taking all of the fun out of watermelon eating and they'd be absolutely correct. There are some who would eat the fleshy interior, the seeds, and the rind and never complain.

2. The Complaints Have It

I'm not quite sure what complaints have but they sure have something because I spend a lot of time complaining. Much of my complaining is not overt -but complaining just the same. Sweet, not sweet, what does it matter? Seeds no seeds what does it matter? I had no appreciation for the watermelon being available at the supermarket. I had no appreciation for the farmer who grew and nurtured the melon. I had no appreciation for the person who took the time to pick the watermelon and send it to me. I was so quick to throw the watermelon under the bus because it didn't match the idea of the watermelon I had in my head (the illusion) I had no appreciation for the watermelon being what it was. I didn't realize that my perspective was one of many. If I'm complaining about a watermelon not being "sweet" can you imagine all the things that I complain about that I'm not even aware of? I have one of those rubber bands from Complaint Free World. I know how much I complain. I know how difficult it is go 30 days without complaining. It's really pleasant to notice it. No attack, just noticing. The noticing makes it disappear. No effort, just noticing. When I finally allowed the watermelon to be what it was - innocent. It was nothing until I called it. ...it was sitting there waiting to be called something. ...no judgment...no resistance. I learned a lot from this watermelon. I assigned the job of "pick me a sweet watermelon" to someone I don't know and I didn't even inform them. Oh yeah, I complained about the job that they did instead of appreciating their kind gesture.

3. Do It Yourself

I was surprised at the yield from the watermelon I cut compared to the package I normally buy at the supermarket. More didn't mean better. Even though I am assigning a meaning of better it's still very subjective. So it may be more accurate to say that I didn't enjoy my experience as much as I have enjoyed with the pre-packaged watermelon. My methodology is not foolproof because I've had some not so pleasant experiences with the watermelon I've picked. In each case, I'm still the constant. I'm still the one who is assigning an attribute of sweetness to the melon. What would happen if I didn't have a preference for sweet or unsweet? What if I was just okay with what showed up? Since the method I'm using is hit or miss anyway, I've decided to eat the watermelon that arrives and be happy. Do it yourself tasks can be viewed as being laborious but I always learn a lot more.

4. What Is "IS"

The watermelon was what it was it didn't need my permission to be. My commentary about the melon didn't change anything about the melon. Once I accepted what is "is" there was a peace that passeth all understanding.

5. An experience prompt.

This experience prompted me to go a big deeper with melons. Some quick fun facts: Watermelon is 92% water Watermelons were used as canteens by early explorers A watermelon takes about 90 days to grow. More than 300 varieties of watermelon are cultivated the US Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, and Indiana are the largest producers of watermelons.

6. I'm more like a watermelon than I thought.

Melon: The green color becomes dull. As I start to live as a more conscious life and become a more loving human being many things in the world will become dull and uninteresting to me. No resistance. Let it be because it is. Melon: The rind will get hard. I am becoming hardened in the way that I treat others. Hardened meaning I find joy in treating you well and I'm not willing to compromise on that. I'm starting to see others as myself. If I hurt you - I hurt me. It just works that why I do it. Melon: The blossom end will soften. Here's that feminine energy. That gentleness. The understanding. The open heart. The kindness. The joy. The love. Melon: They will stop getting larger. - Now it's time to do. The time is now. I know enough. i'm open to depth not growth. I 'm open to a deeper understanding of Truth. I've have everything I need. Melon: They grow spot will turn from white to yellow. I'm moving from darkness to light. From sickness to health. From suffering to joy. From spiritual depravation to being consumed by Love. If it sounds hollow inside, it's most likely ripe. Hollow is symbolic for openness. A willingness to have a shift in perspective. A way of looking at things that is less painful than right now. Having an empty cup... An overripe watermelon will make a “thud” or a lower-pitched sound. I don't want to be a "thud" Overripe - thinking I know what's best for others Getting in other people's business Stockpiling trinkets in a swampland Seeing myself as above or below anyone Trying to usurp God Going to war with anyone about anything Attempting to defend Truth Getting lost in and being a slave to my thoughts, motives, emotions, and behaviors are and reactions that I think are me.