While I wish I had had a few more hours sleep last night, I'm happy to be awake now surrounded by candlelight and the beautiful salt lamp seen here in the photo. I'm happy today is Sunday and in just a couple of hours, I'll be dancing. After facilitating two classes, I'll be venturing off into the woods for two days of rest and relaxation. A couple girlfriends and I will be spending time soaking, sweating, sleeping, eating yummy food and just being. No computers. No cell phones. No street lights. No noise to disturb our retreat.
When I get up before the light does, I often feel like I'm on retreat. In the darkness, there is a silence and a stillness that speaks to me deeply. I recently read an article in a previous issue of Tricycle magazine called "Commit to Sit" and I'm considering taking on their 28 day challenge of exploring meditation in a way I never have. I know the most challenging thing won't be the sitting itself (although I do wonder how uncomfortable my body will feel sitting for 20 minutes to an hour at a time). It will be quieting the ever-present chatter in my head. It will be acknowleding my thoughts and letting them go rather than getting all wound up in them and about them. It will be listening to my spirit rather than my voice. I know Spirit is with me at all times, but it always seems more palpable and present just before dawn breaks.
The light is beginning to appear now. Candles will soon be blown out. A shower and breakfast will be had. A new day gently unfolds. It doesn't take going on retreat to know how blessed I am to have another day. It just takes a moment to say "Thank You, God."
Lisa, my wife has a salt lamp, and I can sit and gaze upon it for long time and sort of get lost in it. Something is fascinating about it. We also have a block of salt about the size of a kid's building block which came from a mine in Utah. It is just a block of salt perched on a little dish, yet, I swear, you can see emanations rising from it if you relax and let them become visible. Not sure what the little trails of 'stuff' are, but it is even more fascinating to me than the salt lamp.
Ahhhhh...retreat. I can talk like an expert now, having been on exactly one retreat in my life.
Enjoy Breitenbush and friends, Lisa!
Posted by: Rick | December 08, 2008 at 05:19 AM
Breitenbush looks incredible, Lisa. Have a wonderful time! And good luck with your sitting commitment.
Posted by: Angela | December 09, 2008 at 06:39 AM