Reflections from a Walking Meditation on January 7, 2023

HABITS MATTER

Coming back from a 20 minute walking meditation going a little further in the neighborhood I became aware of the sounds and qualities of the environment here in Costa Rica. Took notice of my breath and movement finding comfort in its ease and the friendliness of those I encountered. ‘Buenos dias, buenos dias senora…” said these two workers along the road. I prayed silently the St. Francis de Assis “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace….” And felt completely at peace and so grateful the experience of being here.

Upon return I passed the entrance back to the Corta Verde Inn without notice and when I saw that I was further down felt anxiety momentarily as getting lost is a fear of mine not having a very good sense of direction. Turning around and retracing steps and feeling disoriented reminded me of how often we feel lost…not just in being misdirected or without direction but just lost in thought that is pointless and without purpose and the discomfort it provides.

“Return to presence where are you…Oh, there it is the sign to the Corta Verde Inn sign was just ahead. I turned and walked up the slight hill and it offered an incline to climb asking my heart to pump up a little to get those legs moving more forcefully.  Along the way I overheard two women speaking of a tree and one said, ‘Crece arbol” (Grow Tree) and I chuckled to myself, ‘yeah grow MotherTree, that’s why you’re here! (mother tree is the elder name I was given at my 70^th birthday) “There is still fear at being lost to overcome, huh”…

I met Adela on the way, she greets me “buenos dia mi senora, please be care, don’t fall it can be slippery, the gentleman in #14 fell and is in the hospital now.” “Oh, thank you Adela I won’t, I’m very careful. I want to be strong like you. Adela is an elder too (maybe not as old as me) but very fit and an inspiration taking the hills around here easily, and its because she has worked here 28 years.  It reminds me that her skill, age and confidence are interconnected to what one does daily to build confidence in doing things well. 

Wow, so many lessons and insights on life experienced in this 20-minute walk. Habits matter was my last thought as I returned to the apartment and to the mediation retreat I was participating in.