Walking Between Walls.

This mediation is designed to bridge exercise, peace and gratitude in a time where the safety and the protection of our bodies, minds and souls and each other are of the utmost importance.

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Barefoot.

Standing in the middle of an open space in your dwelling, close the shutters of your eyes. Block the feed of repetitive digital images which, at times, malnourished our spirits. Let the darkness be a blank canvas on which you will paint peace and gratitude in liquid chalk during this meditation.

Now shift attention to your ears.

Inhale slowly and feel the tickle tingle inside your eardrums. It feels like staccato on a piano: quick, light and free. Exhale through your mouth releasing all the mass information you have recently heard and stored.

Prepare for a restoration of mind, body, and soul.

Eyes still resting, inhale then exhale the fullness of the enclosed air. Does that surprise you? Enclosed air?

Embrace the air that has carried your words, heard the pitter-patter of your texting thumbs and computer keys, and held your thoughts. The air that is you, yours, and ours encapsulated by the 4 walls where you are protected and safe.

Inhale the gratitude in being able to thrive in a space, your space, at this time. Now exhale it, releasing it into your atmosphere. Let it touch every corner, every crevice, and everyone clinging to them thick yet transparent.

As we prepare to explore, allow your feet to gently grip gravity while your body surrenders to it. Shoulders and arms flowing downward, send all the nerves to your toes as they play scales upon the floor. Whether it be carpet, dirt, hardwood, or linoleum, this walk, like your life’s journey, is uniquely your own.

Now pull back the shutters from your eyes.

Begin to wander, releasing gravity and giving it back with each step treating the floor as if delicate.

Since you have already released an atmosphere of gratefulness, ready your fingers.

Pay close attention to the tips.

Like a superhero with lightning power, send those charges to the very endings making them sensitive and conscious. Now, with appreciation, touch various items in your home reflecting on if they were a gift given or if you yourself were the giver.

Choose one that brings you joy.

Is it a picture in a frame, a letter, or an item that evokes a fond memory? Pick it up, holding it upward as your prize.

Waltz: Moving forward, then back, to the left side, and then the right.

Bring the item close to your heart where it is truly kept and repeat the dance several times. Feel free to choose as many items, one by one, as you desire.

And don’t forget to dance.

Return the item to its throne exercising your facial muscles into a smile.

Now walk to the wall that greets the rising sun. The East wall.

With bent knees and bowed arms, imagine you are lifting the sun from its bed and placing it neatly in the sky. If the circumstances of life have also grounded you, have no fear. As predictable as the sun, you too, will rise and rise again. Repeat this three times, each time placing it in a slightly new location.

Cradle the sun once again, holding it in front of you reverently. This represents you, the life you have, and the life you give to others just by being who you are. It and you must be treated with care.

Bid the East adieu and walk to the Western wall of your dwelling. Lift the star above your head paying homage to the warmth it provides. Lower it. Tuck it behind the mountains at your feet for all things must rest repeating 3 times. Celestial bodies and human ones are wonderfully and beautifully made and in the still of the night is their recharge.

Let gravity pull all your weight to your feet. Proceed to the North wall walking in clunks and heavy, slow steps. Imagine that you are walking through deep snow. Feel those leg and calf muscles moving while motioning your arms in a chugging, forward motion with each step.

Visualize the white snow emphasizing the bare, brown branches like long sentences, and the majestic mountains like capital letters with its white highlighter. It is in full exaltation in the midst of nature’s icy hibernation. This is you.

Though the snow coats the body of trees …. they do not shiver. So it is said, you will not tremble to obstacles. This same snow covers the solid ground …. it does not bend. Likewise, you too will not lose your footing in the face of challenges. Lastly, this delicate, white powder rests on the backs of animals but there is still warmth in their veins. My friend, you will also continue to beautifully be and to unconditionally love, in spite of any temperature that surrounds you.

Exhale slowly, slowing down the wind just enough for it to cling to your breath transforming it into visible puffs.

How many shapes can you make? Are they round? Linear? Multi-dimensional?

You must now take your leave from the North and travel to warmer climates at the South wall. On your way, imagine you are digging your feet into warm sands by moving them quickly side to side simultaneously. Your final destination is the beach with its rushing waves. Become these waves walking 4 steps forward as the sea lures thee and taking 4 steps back as the land beckons you back home.

Home.

Returning to your open space reflect on your journey. You started your travels with touch by caressing what you own and what is near and dear to your heart. But you forgot to grasp one important thing:

You.

With arms outstretched, then crisscrossed around each other held at the elbows, embrace yourself and do this often. No matter how many possessions you may have and all the things you cherish, what is most invaluable is the person listening to this mediation...

Now and always.