Slow Walk In The Garden

Y’all know my affinity for the image of God strolling in the garden of Eden. One of the most spiritual practices one can do is take a stroll or a slow walk.

There is a saying:  “to live in the present is to live in the presence.” Walking meditation is a universalized practice made popular by Zen Buddhism.

During this Memorial Day weekend take some time to practice mindful walking adapted from A Path To The Heart by Jeff Kornfield. And whether it be a stroll around the block or in the park, “a good walk spoiled” on a golf course, or a thoughtful walk through a cemetery, turn off the iPod and  concentrate on using the natural movement of walking to focus on the present moment. Feel your body standing on the earth, feel the sensation of lifting your foot in defiance of gravity and then consciously returning it back to earth. This process will enhance your awareness of the Presence of God.

In fact, God is enjoying a walk in part of his garden with you. Take a minute to strike up a conversation.

Choice

“In the choice is the talent” – Stella Adler

A friend I made on sabbatical sent me the above, and I think it is worthy of meditation. I hope you do as well. We make choices about small matters that have large consequences; we make choices without thinking; we make choices that we can get out of and some we can’t; and we make choices we regret for a long time, if not all our life. The list goes on and on.

So how do we acquire a talent for choosing. Perhaps, it’s like learning to throw a baseball or ride a bicycle. We watch how others pitch ( how others we admire make choices); we start slow (we make small choices at first – baby steps) ; we may read books or watch instructional videos; but ultimately we have to just rare back and throw or take the training wheels off and just ride knowing the first few pitches are going to be wild or we are going to have to fall and scrape our knees on occasion. As parents we just hope the damage is only a broken window or a few bumps and bruises.

I wonder then why we accept a society that punishes so harshly poor choices made by the very young. In many cases that poor choice may be the first choice a child may have made on his own. But I digress.

I also think the” real talent” comes in learning from the choices we make – good and bad.  For some it seems one never learns, but for most experience and time are the best instructors.

Today we pause and think about choice – large and small, good and bad, but most important the process of choosing. We are given different degrees of talent in making choices. How do you hone yours into a real gift?