The Coyote Exchange

Yesterday I had the gift (and yes today it is a gift) of getting away to one of California’s prized possessions – Muir Woods, Stinson Beach and the beauty and splendor of the West Coast.

I participated in a day-long silent yoga retreat.  For those unfamiliar, it’s a small group gathered in a ‘yurt’ (slightly fancier and more stable than a tent) for the purposes of thoughtful meditation for mind movement, yoga that inspires body movement and walking meditation, that combines both.

That this happened during one of the worst ’storm’ days of the year was not lost on the 10 participants gathered.  Our silent retreat was anything but silent with pounding winds and rains swirling around the yurt – which brought the most incredible ‘white noise’ mother nature could muster.  When it stopped (for a few minutes) during the last hour of our day – we actually missed it.

So why bother to put yourself  ‘out there’ ? Yes, we got soaked in a downpour during our walking meditation!  Why take yourself away from the hussle and the bustle of December, Holiday shopping, crowded malls and the requisite baking around this time of year? Why attempt a day of silence, where literally no words are exchanged, not during practice, not during lunch.  Try it and find out.  The beauty of silence is that it enhances the ‘critical thinking’ of thinking about nothing.  You allow yourself the time to shut out all the messages of the world, the family, the critics, and your own self critic – if you’re any good at this!

During this special time of the year, when we transition from one year to the next – contemplate in silence, in a walk by yourself – the true beauty of the season – the love we share for others, with others, and of ourselves.

Filed under: Uncategorized on December 13th, 2009