Miracle at Mile Ten

Our true home is in the present moment.

To live in the present moment is a miracle.

The miracle is not to walk on water.

The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment,

to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.

Peace is all around us--

in the world and in nature--

and within us--

in our bodies and our spirits.

Once we learn to touch this peace, 

we will be healed and transformed.

It is not a matter of faith;

it is a matter of practice.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

This morning, I awoke early and hopped on my bike to head downtown to cheer a friend on as she walked a half marathon as part of the Denver Rock and Roll scene. I'll be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with myself that I had agreed to be a part of this friend's support crew. Wasn't this just another example of how I say 'yes' to things and then realize later that those things aren't what I need in my life (what I need in my life is more attention to my needs in my life! Ha!)?! Before I left my house, I put on my runner's necklace from my high school trackster days. I still love moving my body and appreciate the reminder that this necklace provides me of faith and perseverance. How many people cheered me on during races in my life? What about the deep inner sense that I held so closely when I was a teen that Something Greater Than Myself but of Which I am a Part (aka: "God") would take care of me and help me realize my dreams? Those four years in high school, when I was obsessed with running track and making it to the state track meet, were probably some of my most faithful. I believed in possibilities within and beyond myself that I have shrugged at as an adult. With runner necklace and helmet on, I pedaled to the race route.

After hustling through traffic and crowds, I posted myself at mile six. So many different types of people ran past me! What courage they had to get out there on an early fall Sunday morning and run. I stood and watched, although didn't cheer on any who went past. Was I holding my voice only for my friend? What made her efforts more praiseworthy, her being more sacred? Of course, I missed my friend walk past me at mile six: argh!!!, to say the least! It was at that point that I realized I wasn't honoring the powerful expression of courage and faith that these runners and walkers were displaying. I hopped back on my bike and became a mobile cheerleader, encouraging runners and walkers, alike to keep going, to see how awesome they are, to offer smiles and spirit to my fellow human beings. Instead of holding my love tight within myself, I began to let is pour out of me. Yeah! What a relief! It felt so good!

Still, not having found my friend, I began to get panicky that the real reason for me being out on the course wasn't being accomplished. Weren't there other places that I had to go, like the UU church this morning?! I stopped at the ten mile marker and did some calculations. My friend had to be behind me, even if I hadn't seen her. That's when I really opened myself to being present with each and every person who crossed that ten mile mark: I clapped, shouted, celebrated, encouraged, praised each one as they crossed. Some thanked me, others smiled, and some just kept on going. I wasn't doing it for attention or feedback but because it felt so good to acknowledge the wonder that was streaming past me. (I think two kindergarteners, dressed in Halloween costumes, a few hundred meters from the ten mile mark also felt that same way: They collected fall leaves and then threw them onto passing runners as fairy dust! Those kiddos got that the moments happening on that course were magical and miraculous!) That's when I looked across the way and saw a fellow cheerer with his three-month-old puppy. Now, running/walking ten+ miles is tough, but a little lab puppy can make it a bit less painful, for a moment! When I went to talk to the guy, he shared that he had run the Colfax half this past spring and had appreciated everyone who had come out to cheer him on. He wanted to pay it back to those in this race. Plus, he has a cute puppy and wanted to share that love with others. Yeah. That's Dog's God talking! 

During that time of cheering others on, the Sun was pouring down on me. I was smiling broadly and felt a warmth emanating from my center. I was witnessing the miraculous in the moment. There was no where else to be, nothing else to do but be open to the wonders that were running/walking past me. How's that for church!

Of note, is that I did eventually get the UU church and listened to the sermon on "presence" as a spiritual practice. Much talk was given to mindfulness and being attentive to our bodies as the starting point for being present. While I can't argue with this information, it's just that- data. The type of presence that I'm interested in cultivating in my life is Presence: a sense of That Which is Greater Than Myself But of Which I am a Part around and within me. It's a bold and courageous thing to do in a time of technology where we are "connected" to the data stream but not to ourselves or each other. What would it be like if we slowed down, soaked in the sun- actually felt it on our skin, and witnessed each other as the Divine Beings that we are? To cultivate a sense of the sacred that is this earth, that is our conversation with others? I was just cheering on a friend's run when I found God's Presence. Can we find it when we eat food that has traveled hundreds of miles and involved countless individuals? Or when we get cut off in traffic and then find ourselves accidentally doing the same thing to another (maybe we all are a human?!)? Or when we listen to the sounds of our neighborhoods, when we pass a neighbor on the street, when we are touched? "Our true home is in the present moment. To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now. Peace is all around us-- in the world and in nature-- and within us-- in our bodies and our spirits. Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed. It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of practice." (Much gratitude to you, Thich Nhat Hanh*)

Blessed be,

KT

Putting Presence into Practice:

* Thich Nhat Hanh, spiritual beckon in this world, had a stroke last year and has been recovering since. These were his first words last month: 

In, out (several times)
Happy (several times)
Thank you (several times)

Following Thay's lead, take several minutes to practice breathing in and out, saying aloud the above phrases. Notice what it is like to be you in this moment: your sensations, thoughts, emotions, and spirit.

Practice with another: sit back to back with another, with one person volunteering to "go" first (Person A). As Person A breathes naturally, Person B is invited to notice and then match Person A's breathing. After a few minutes, switch roles, with Person A following Person B's breathing rhythm and pace. Notice what it is like to deeply listen and be present with one another.