My friend M and I try to go for a walk together by Lake Tuggeranong as often as possible. We have a lovely time chatting as well as exercising. When M isn't available I tend to go for the walk by myself anyway. For company I have a little radio on which I listen to the interesting programs on 666ABC.
Yesterday M wasn't available so I grabbed my little radio, about to head off on my walk when I discovered that the batteries had died. I went for the walk anyway.
It was a glorious day. Sunny with a slight breeze. The water was glistening and I was feeling very at one with the world. Without the distraction of the radio I became very aware of the sounds all around me, the gentle rustling of the new leaves in the trees, the myriad bird songs and calls, the humming and buzzing of the various insects, the croaking of three kinds of frogs all amongst the backdrop drone of the traffic along the Tuggeranong Parkway.
As I walked all thoughts disappeared and I was aware of my surroundings, taking in the view, listening to the sounds but there was a stillness in my mind. I wasn't thinking about anything.
When I got home I turned on the radio
and there was an interview about meditation. The interviewer was asking about the stillness you are supposed to achieve with meditation. "How," she asked, "can you stop thinking about things?" The expert explained that we all have thoughts, which he called 'chatter', rushing about in our heads but when you change one thought for another there is a little gap of stillness. Over time and training you extend the gap until eventually you are able to stop all the 'chatter', leaving only the stillness. The amazing thing is that you are still fully aware.
Listening to the interview I suddenly realised that I had actually been meditating whilst on my walk. No wonder I felt so regenerated afterwards!
No comments:
Post a Comment