stretchy thoughts
So, I followed through with a promise to myself and went to the park to do yoga before meditating. I chose a spot under a grove of wisteria trees, which was nicely shaded. I forgot how the sweet smell draws bugs, so that made things interesting. Still, I was comfortable, felt protected and had a nice half hour work out / stretch / me-time before walking over to join the others gathering under the tulip poplar tree for the group meditation.
The sunlight was dappled in the spot I chose, which, about halfway? through the meditation, tempted me to lay back and feel it on my forehead. An ant bit the back of my knee, tender, burning, ouchie. I chose to let it. It occurred to me that what I was experiencing was exactly what I'd discussed with a friend earlier this week, about balancing the worldly plane with the energy plane. Cause, given a choice, I'll just float out to the cosmos instead of paying my bills. I've been away from the energy plane for so long, it's tempting to spend more time there... and I find myself effortlessly drifting to it at random times.
So, I let the ant bite me. I concentrated on the warmth of the sunlight on my forehead and the other sensations, feelings... and I didn't mind the pain. I almost enjoyed how it linked me to my body. Then another bug walked along the base of my hairline on my neck. The tickly feeling was so much more distracting than the pain (which was still happening at the back of my knee). I let the bug walk. I thought if pain didn't make me move, then a walking bug should't. I let it all go again and the sunlight warmed me. The tickling and the pain faded. I shared energy with the sun. From a distance, I heard the soft chiming, signaling the end of the meditation.
My thoughts immediately returned to the bugs - the one at the back of my neck was gone. The burning pain was still happening behind my knee. When I brushed my leg, to relieve the pain and see if there was a bump or bug, I accidentally smooshed the small red ant that had been feasting on me. I didn't mean to. And I thought how I can cause others pain with thoughtless actions. Practice... yes. I will practice being mindful. I will remember.
The group had a nice discussion and it turns out that most of those gathered had their own bug challenges today.
I am pleasantly surprised how quickly my body is responding to the almost daily yoga practice. I am feeling so strong and long. And I know I'm not, but in comparison to what I was, I am. It makes sense to me. The video below is part 1 of 4 - the woman in the middle moves me. I love how I can see her stretch each vertebra when she moves into upward dog. I watched all 4 in the series. Yeah. One day. And it will be magic
So, back to balance. Now that I have acknowledged how absolutely wonderful today was, I have paper to write.
Namaste.