I was not following any guidance when meditating the other day...just had some background music going. Looking out the window at the fog as it lifted, first only being able to see the top of a power pole at Hwy. 70, then slowly having the ridge line of the mountain appear. The fog remained in the middle between these two points, a valley full of cloud. Somewhere down there the little Swannanoa River wanders back and forth through the valley that carries its name.
Some days my meditation just comes to me. Today, gratitude was top of my list. But not for the things I received for Christmas. I know I'll soon write a few thank-you notes to relatives and friends.
Often meditation starts with deep breaths. And then awareness of parts of the body...starting with the feet, legs and going up each part. But today I started with my heart, then lungs. And from there I focused on each of the systems of my body...muscles, nerves, skin etc. I almost forgot the digestive and kidneys/bladder systems. I did remember hair and finger nails.
Anyway, it was good to be grateful for all the wonderful pieces that make up this pie called Barbara. What amazing things homo sapiens are.
Today's quote:
we engage with all beings in ways that support the integrity,
the stability and the beauty of the entire living world.
Engaging with this [flow] of birthing/dying living,
embracing it, surrendering to it, [we find that] the mystery
is tremendously integrated.
It is extraordinarily stable. It has been in action for
billions of years. It is breath-stoppingly beautiful in
all its vulnerability...
The Dharma of Illness and The Medicine of Wonderment
