Be Flexible

Last week was quite hectic with both ends of the spectrum in terms of emotions. The beginning of the week consisted of attending my uncle’s funeral which was both very sad but also a beautiful celebration of a wonderful man. The week ended with a quick (but very fun and relaxing) trip to a small Bahamian island with friends.

Because of all of this I was not in my regular routine and didn’t teach any classes last week. I noticed how strange it felt to not teach and it reminded me of how much teaching grounds me and how the structure and discipline of connecting to my message is truly part of my own practice. I even considered not sending out a newsletter this morning because I didn’t have my usual fully formed message to share but then I realized that this was my message. The practice is not about doing the same thing, it is about discovering the flexibility to find different ways.  

To get to this tiny island we had to fly 90 minutes each way on a small 8 seater plane. As I am sure many of you can relate, that is definitely not my favorite way to travel. There is both a sense of floating and a sense of how small in the sky you are in a plane like that. I found my mind jumping in its thoughts from awe and wonder of what was below to fear and surrender of being completely out of control of my circumstances. I took some time on each flight to meditate and be still with those emotions and to meet them with compassion. It was quite powerful to see them move through almost as if they floated out to the clouds all around me. With so many emotions to process from earlier in the week, the gentle rocking motion and the whirring sound of the plane was soothing in settling the mind and processing the range of feelings.  It was actually fun (weird right?) to meditate in that little plane; the complete example of surrender in every way and a challenge to stay with the thoughts at the same time. 

The meditation did it’s job and both times when it was over I felt more peaceful. It was a reminder to me that the practice is available to us anywhere. It doesn’t have to be on the mat as a teacher or a student but rather it comes with us wherever we are. The beauty is not in the regimen of sameness but rather the freedom to be flexible. We really can meditate anywhere!!