Through the woods, off the path, under broken branches and over prickly bramble, I come to a fallen tree that becomes my zafu.
I close my eyes and feel my body relax as it falls into a breathing pattern that is saturated in forest air. My mind settles deeper and deeper into the internal resting place. The body follows and the muscles relax. I recognize the feeling of coming home; of coming into my sanctuary.
Breathing. Sinking.
Breathing. Resting.
When I feel peaceful and grounded and solid, my attention shifts. Moving from the breath I take in the sound of a bird. One bird as it calls out, calls out again. Another bird answering.
Listening. Calling. Answering.
Listening. Calling. Answering.
I remain at the center of it all as the sounds come to me.
My focus broadens taking in the sounds of many birds; an aviary symphony. My focus expands again; breath, birds, the sounds of my dog sniffing and shuffling through the leaves, squirrels scampering and leaping overhead.
Breathing. Listening. Receiving.
Breathing. Listening Receiving.
I remain the center. The sounds coming to me.
A chirping, croaking sound and I shift into words.
“What is that? It’s too early for crickets and peepers and toads.”
My eyes open as I wonder about the chirping. And then gently back to the breath with this
How receptive can I stay to the present moment?
How receptive can I stay to the present moment?
As my receptivity expands again there is a shift. I am no longer the center. I become a part of the symphony. My breath joins with the breathing of the planet; my sounds are among the sounds. There is no I as receiver. The I melds into the larger we and I become aware of a truth I need to know.
Though I am not immortal, I am eternal.
Though I am not immortal. I am eternal.
Breathing. Resting. Smiling.
Breathing. Resting. Smiling.