Finding the present moment in all of your communities

I like to think we all have more than one community that we belong to.  Here are my top three, large sanghas with many, many members. Each one has it's many lessons. One lesson they all share is the notion of being: being aware of the present moment. To be mindful of the task at hand, what ever that task may be.

In early September of 2009, I was fortunate enough to attend a week long, mindfulness retreat at Deer Park Monestary.  I camped, unplugged...except twice...email check and confirmation of Josh picking me up.  I practiced Noble silence, no talking from dinner time until after Dharma talk the next day. Many opportunities to practice mindfulness.  There were around 800 people in attendance, so you can imagine what it looked like when we all gathered for dinner, or for a talk, or for morning meditation.  Breathe to connect to the present. Breathe to return to the present.

In late August of 2011, I was fortunate enough to attend a week long, yoga workshop in Montana at the Feathered Pipe Ranch.  Judith Lasater was the instructor.  It was a wonderful week of decompressing, relaxing, letting go, rooting into ourself.  Active instruction in the morning hours and restorative in the afternoon.  Our homework for the week was to notice when a critical thought about ourself came up and to exhale deeply and mindfully say, how human of me.  I love this tool and use it often on days I am very critical of my self.  I use it when I make a mistake or think I have failed.  I give myself permission to be imperfect.  Because nothing in nature is perfect. 

Just this past weekend...Thurs, August 28 through to Tues, September 2, I was fortunate enough to attend a 3-night Dave Matthews concert.  Each night had it's own vibe, but together all three were a continuation of the previous night...that's one long 9 hour musical event.  I have been listening to this band for around 20 years and have been to their shows many, many times.  They are my first choice when I want to listen to music.  Every musician is a genius and together their music moves through me, like blood through my veins.  The concert venue was amazing...set right on the Columbia river. Their music is a way for me to stay present, to be exactly where I am in that moment.  There are many lyrics that reflect the idea of mindful presence.  To be mindfully present, means to be content, happy, at ease with the moment.  There is no waiting for some thing better to come.

"Not sad, when you're gone
But when your lights still out
your dreams won't let you fly
Don't be dead before you die
Hunger til fed, give love instead
When it gets inside, watch the dead man squirm
Above all things, when kindness is your king
Then Heaven will be yours, before you meet your end."

I am moved to tears by these lyrics because I see so many people wasting time, closing themselves off to the love that is within, waiting for some better day.  At all three of these events, I learned new ways of connecting to the moment by being the observer, the watcher.

Right now, take a moment to stop, to watch and to receive the moment, that is the practice of yoga off of your mat. Give yourself permission to be happy, to enjoy what is happening for you right now. If you have been working, take a break. Pause and be grateful you have this moment to work, rest, play, create, what ever it is you are doing now. How wonderful it is to be alive, walking, dancing, jumping...

May you find love in your every day!