For this quarter of the Keeping Commitments Buddies Program, I decided to take a daily mindful walk and record and listen. On these walks, I record the soundscape and a description of what I am experiencing through all my senses, what I am witnessing and what is arising for me.

Dropping the voices of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is the only way I know to end suffering. 

“Do it later! Not enough time! This is too much! No!” the voices scream. And then there is silence as I go out the door and I turn to taking care of this one human that I can actually save. Perhaps at first I might notice the impermanence of the weather or the air on my skin or in my lungs. Soon I am in the beauty of the present and only moment. I am here, alive, attending to what I love, step by step, breath by breath, in THISHERENOW.

Often a spontaneous ditty or a few poetic sentences arise out of the openness of the moment. They seem to come from nowhere and delight me when, later in the day or before bed, I listen to the recording of that day’s stroll. I am always amazed how it takes me right there, being with a willing and courageous being that says no to the bad advice of ego’s voices and YES to LIFE.  

Recently, a Practice Everywhere reminder prompted me to “Discover one of your local parks and enjoy nature.” Another one encouraged: “Take a walk around your block and notice all the things you take for granted.” One more said, “Walk outside and say hello to Mother Nature. R/L what that feels like. That is just what I did.

We have so many ways to be supported to practice to be love. I am immensely grateful for these many opportunities and all that I receive.

Gasshō.

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