Dharma Glimpse by Elaine
On the days when i am short of time in the morning or if I’m lacking insight and energy I walk Luna on this bit of land behind the housing estate where I live.
It’s not the most scenic place to walk, the field is surrounded by houses many of which are newly built, and beyond the houses you can see the beautiful stretch of the hills.
I made the decision to try and walk mindfully every day. I no longer wear headphones and i try to be present, being fully aware of the moment i am in. At these times something always catches my eye and brings joy, dogs playing, a black cat hiding in the long grass, or the trees surrounding the land. Sometimes at these times I just feel pure gratitude for being alive.
On the land are two large ponds which unless we have had a lot of rain are mostly empty of water and are more like a marsh. They are full of bulrushes, and often look very dull and uninviting but occasionally when you look in the right light or under a certain sky they look completely enchanting and very beautiful, at times like this I stop and take photographs and am so thankful that this is on my doorstep.
When I am preoccupied I often fail to see the beautiful aspects of my walk, the pond looks desolate and miserable, the houses are an eyesore and block the view and I find no joy at all while out walking and I can see how this is mirrored in my life. If I am preoccupied and worrying, caught up in the not so pretty side of life I can get very anxious and depressed. My life feels all suffering and no joy, I hide away and often stray from things I know will make things better, it’s then I really need to meditate and take a mindful walk and start taking care of my spiritual health.
I am new to Buddhist practice and everything is a learning curve but I am grateful for the support the teachings can give me.
Namo Amida Bu.
“Go back and take care of yourself, your body needs you, your feelings need you. The wounded child in you needs you. Your suffering needs you to acknowledge it. Go home and be there for all these things .Practice mindful walking and mindful breathing. Do everything in mindfulness so you can be there, so you can be loved.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
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