Distraction was the overriding theme for me this month. I became an expert at pegging out the washing, sorting my recycling, or even tidying my desk before I could settle into my work. I even found I was distracted by the birdsong when meditating, although this was rather joyous.
I found myself avoiding the planning and writing of my summer meditation days as ironically, the weather was too lovely to sit inside. My day would start with my morning cup of tea to watch my cats chasing each other around the garden while I listened to the bees. Then by the time I was ready to start writing, I needed to make myself a coffee and a snack. Finally, I settled down and ploughed through all the work and eventually finished the day pleased with my progress.
The last summer meditation workshop itself was calm and quiet and I met some lovely people – some new and some familiar – we talked about distractions and how to manage them during meditation. As I started to think about the distractions that I had been battling with, I began to realise that while I was outside drinking my tea, I could hear the bees, smell the flowers and see my cats scampering around.
I was in the moment and the present moment is all we have.
We do not have time machines to take us back and we cannot predict the future. All we have is this moment. So once you finish reading this blog (not long now!), take a moment to stop and notice: what can you see in your environment; what can you smell; what can you hear; and what can you touch?
Embrace your distractions and be present.
“The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment”
Thich Naht Hanh