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FINDING SOLITUDE ON BUSY
2-1-09
I was discovering the healing power of
meditation and solitude about the time I decided to run for county
executive. You can imagine how hard it was to find time for solitude
when campaigning 16-20 hours a day.
Then when I was elected six months later, I became responsible for the
work of over 500 employees in the five major divisions of county
government. It was equally difficult to find time for meditation and
solitude.
I have always believed creative thinking can find some kind of solution
to any challenge so I started experimenting with ways to quickly quiet
my mind and tap into my inner resources. The main truth I discovered is
that mindfulness, simply being fully present with whatever is going on
at the moment, can be a real taste treat for the inner being. It is a
mini-solitude break.
I picked up another jewel of an idea from Zen master Shinzen Young. Now
this one may sound silly to you but please take my word for it, it
works. It's called the "slow motion meditation." Just slow down any
activity you are engaged in and do it intentionally at half speed.
For example, instead of dictating a memo to my staff, I would
intentionally handwrite it at half speed, re-reading it back, over and
over. It would take me ten minutes instead of two, but it would slow
down my mind and bring blessed quiet within, moving my brain waves into
a peaceful alpha pattern. You know you have hit alpha when you have that
peaceful "aha" moment, bringing a calming balm to the whole body.
The first time I tried this "slow motion meditation" was in washing
dishes. Now 30 years later, I still wash my own dishes by hand and it is
one of the sweetest snatches of solitude I have all day.
It also works beautifully when you give your lover a massage. Massages
are not meant to be "slam bam" affairs. It will either put both of you
to sleep or become acutely romantic. Either way, it will be pure
medicine for your body, mind and soul.
Another way we can lay hold of some solitude is a quiet walk with our
partner or a good friend. Just walk slow and don't speak. Sometimes
holding hands will enhance it and sometimes it will distract you. Try it
both ways. I will say this: if you are really tuned into your walking
partner, remaining quiet and holding hands can create some powerful,
healing energy. But if it doesn't work for you, don't feel you have
failed. The object of all spiritual practice is to find what works for
you. I have found that a quiet walk while holding hands works with some
people and doesn't with others. No one is at fault. Energy works in
strange and wonderful ways and seldom works exactly the same way when an
activity is repeated.
Mother and Dad loved to read in bed. For hours they would not say a
word. They were reading different books but I could "feel the
fellowship" when I walked in the room. It was a beautiful sharing of
solitude. The more we are tuned into lovers and friends, the less need
we have for language. We feel close but at the same time separate, with
some part of us knowing we are sharing a special experience together.
It's one of the things Jesus meant when He said, the two become one.
One day when I was especially stressed, I just walked out of my office
and went to the courthouse lawn where I often saw birds drinking and
bathing. This day a robin was there. I slowly moved within two feet of
her. Our eyes met. It was a deeply healing experience. I returned to my
office refreshed.
Value yourself enough to know that you deserve these precious gifts of
peace only you can give to yourself.
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