Happy Holidays! We’ve just about made it through 2020, which is a big accomplishment for everyone. What a year. Like many folks, we decided that Covid provided the perfect opportunity to get a dog. I’ve wanted a dog for years, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with our rescue from the Boulder Humane Society. It’s been almost two months with Kody, and we’ve already had more adventures together than I can count.
This morning, I was out the door at 6:45 am to hike a nearby open space so that we could both get our morning exercise. As I was hiking, I had the thought that getting a dog has really cut into my morning sitting meditation time. I noticed a flash of guilt. Darn! Why does so much of life often feel like a trade off? Bringing in a new beautiful activity can mean less time for other things.
Then, a smile. This is life in the relative isn’t it? This is our experience of being in limited physical bodies, with the tangible boundaries of time and space.
I took a breath and shifted my mindset. Rather than telling myself that I would meditate more this afternoon or try to find some way of fitting it all in, I relaxed into the moment. What did I want right now? I wanted to meditate. Why not turn my morning hikes into walking meditations?
I began a mantra. I have multiple mantras for different purposes, but the one that came to me this morning is from The Way Of A Pilgrim, which is a stunning book about mystical Christianity. The pilgrim would travel from place to place, always repeating “Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy On Me.” His repetitions became an ever present meditation, guiding his mind towards greater spiritual connection and higher states of consciousness.
As I began this prayer, my body and spirit settled. I found the present moment. I appreciated so deeply that I was healthy, in nature with an animal friend, meditating with a Master Teacher. My heart sings as I write this because I want everyone to understand that Spirit is available in every single moment. We don’t have to be doing something that looks “spiritual.” We simply need to invite a higher awareness and return to the present moment. There are so many different ways to do this, from gratitude to prayer to deep breathing to intention.
Even if it doesn’t take you to a new feeling state (i.e. from stress to calm), you can still trust that those moments of connection to yourself and All That Is over the course of a day will add up. You will be more likely to choose presence again when things settle down and you are able to access a sense of peace.
I do wish you all to have a peaceful and blissful holiday season. However, if it is something else, keep trusting that your presence in the great moment of Now is truly enough. Life (especially 2020!) will always have its ups and downs. Your opportunity is to always remain connected and loving towards yourself, which is your eternal portal to the All That Is.
Blessings,
Kelley Neumann