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| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trial |
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| Courtesy of Petrail.org |
Running,
cycling, skating, riding - how fortunate we are to live in a region that
provides so many options for energetic outdoor activities. We do it for fun as well as for our physical
and mental well-being. Besides, being out
in nature has a way of nurturing our souls, especially when we take time out to
just breathe in nature’s gifts.
Occasionally
during a solitary hike around the Claremont Hills or while walking loops in a
local park, I elect to tune out the thinking mind and tune into the sensory
mind. This is my adaptation of a walking
meditation - one that challenges me to stifle the forever chattering monkey
mind from conducting its relentless internal dialogue during un-preoccupied
moments. The trick is finding a way (forgive
the expression) to just be in-the-moment. It takes a conscious effort.
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| Courtesy of Health Central |
Walking
briskly, I focus attention on feeling the air moving over my face and
arms. The monkey mind wants to judge it
as cold or annoying; instead, I agree to simply acknowledge the breeze. Something reminds me of an unpaid bill or a
call that should have been returned. The
monkey mind starts making plans; instead, I pat it on the head and, one more
time, enjoy the breathtaking view of our mountains to the north and east. Oops – best yet – I realize I am having THAT
conversation with someone who isn’t even there.
It feels like anger is rising; instead, I inhale the pungent scent of
wildflowers or freshly mown grass.
Eventually, Cheetah
settles down and only the senses are fully awake. Slowing down the pace, I turn my attention to
the sensation of each footfall. Eyes
drink in the brilliant shades of sunset as the underbellies of clouds are now stunning
shades of yellow and orange, pink and purple; the lawns and trees shift into the
intense, surreal shade of green that arrives as dusk. Ears hear chattering birds, singing crickets. I smell the earth.
How do you decompress?
Let us know what works for you in the comment section below.
How do you decompress?
Let us know what works for you in the comment section below.
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| Photo by Jonathan Petersson from Pexels |
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| Friends of the Pacific Trail |
- Janet L. Ryerson Friend of the Pacific Electric Trail
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