Monthly Archive for: ‘October, 2011’

Soccer As Moving Meditation

October 12, 2011.

Soccer season kicked off a few weeks ago. If you want to find anybody in our little town of Hermon, Maine (population 3,405) on the next 8 Saturdays, head to the school field. Parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, teachers, neighbors and fans gather to watch and support the children. Everyone cheers boisterously for each goal, no matter which team scores. Good sportsmanship and humor reign in the stands and on the field.

Boys and girls play on the same team. I am amazed by how many inches they grew over the summer. Boys whose heads used to stop at my waist now almost reach my nose. Girls who were flat-chested at school’s end now wear training bras. Boys and girls play on the same team and I marvel at how well they cooperate and give each other strategic advice, hugs and high fives whenever a team mate has blocked a goal, scored a goal, or needs support

I am intrigued by how similar the soccer practices and games are to my moving meditations. Although I will bet that not one of the coaches would identify themselves as meditation teachers, they urge their mini-athletes to be present in the now. Here’s how! I hear the coaches chanting, “Pay attention. Stay awake. Connect to the earth before you kick the ball. Don’t pay attention to the goalie, focus on the ball.” I feel and sense the concentrated intention of the players to be aware, and present. Furthermore, I watch as they move up and down the field without getting attached to who scores or even who wins. Detachment bring delight.

While other spectators catch up on their friendships that summer interrupted, I watch the moving meditation before me and give thanks for all who participate. I am grateful to be in the midst of flowing awareness where nothing feels forced and everyone is grounded in their bodies and also ready to be present for the unexpected. For sure, this sport is an essential life skill that gifts the players and their fans with focused awareness, appreciation, and community.

Completions and Giveaways

October 4, 2011

I am ever on the watch for cycles. Whenever I bring my attention to cycles, no matter what kind, I also track myself. Now that I am a senior woman, I am no longer tuned into the cycles that marked my life when I was younger. Now I visit with the moon each night before bed and in doing so I not only connect to the waxing and waning cycles of Mother Moon, I also connect to my own inner and outer rhythms and forms.

Last week I was acutely aware of celebrating the completion of an intense two-year cycle. My two book launchings of Awaken Your All –Knowing Heart served as the catalyst. I staged my two Book Giveaways at Scarborough Library in Scarborough, Maine and Sadhana Meditation center in South Portland, Maine to thank the librarians and the staff at Sadhana for the loving kindness they extended to me as I labored and gave birth to Awaken. The librarians asked about my progress, ordered books they thought might assist me and referred to me as “the resident writer.” The staff at Sadhana offered me hugs, tea, silence, and a clear space to meditate. Before I shipped my manuscript to the publishers, I carried the manuscript back to both places and thanked people for their support and inspiration.

Celebrations are an important part of any cycle. Community support is an important public ritual for me. I was excited as I greeted people at the door. My energy expanded as I read stories from my book and people laughed and cried in all the right places.

Love led and I followed and invited everyone to join in experiencing the presence of love. I invited everyone to commit to love as a way of expanding consciousness as well as the path to creativity, intuition, spirituality, and healing. I also tithed money to demonstrate my appreciation and belief in abundance and donated a soul reading.

A completion demands reflection. I pause and write about what I have learned.

I leaned how much I enjoy playing with words—massaging them, stringing them together, and inventing new ones.

I learned how hard I push myself when I have made a commitment to create something new.

I learned how I use discipline and lose out on inspiration sometimes and I plan to be more aware of inspiration and trust.  I know lots about self-discipline.

I learned how writing permeates every aspect of my life when I am in the midst of a creative project. Words and ideas invade my dreams, my conversations, my swimming, my reading and even my harvesting my garden. I am not safe from being struck by writing—in the shower, on a walk, star gazing, or meditating.

I learned how delighted I am when I celebrate with people.

Next, I invite a name to commemorate this cycle. The word “Immersion” instantly fills my consciousness. I add a date to this cycle and declare it complete.

As an unexpected bonus I discovered I had completed another cycle when I returned to my familiar swimming pool in South Portland, Maine this weekend. About the time I began to work on Awaken, I committed to swim three or four days a week. The Olympic pool is divided in half between lap swimmers and leisurely swimmers. On Friday, I took a risk and dove into the lap swimmers section, trusting that I had built up my stamina and speed in the year I had continued to swim at a local pool near Hermon, Maine. I reveled in my ability to swim the laps effortlessly. When I emerged the lifeguard gave me a high five and I danced a wet jig.

Another completion and another celebration. I wonder what new beginnings await my awareness!