Breath, Bees, and the Quiet Weight of the World
Dear friend,
The past few days have come as a welcome contrast to the rain-heavy clouds of February. Bright golden light and clear blue skies have a way of lifting your spirits, though not when you’re feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable with being seen.
This morning, I came down to make coffee, and a plump, velvety wood pigeon was perched at the bottom of our garden with its back to me. I was glad to see it, but a little concerned it was alone. Some wood pigeons are monogamous and bond for life.
I popped my head outdoors to take in some air and said a whispered hello, which sent the pigeon up and away into the blue—a miracle of wings.
Out on the marshes, wild bees gathered around a watering hole that had formed on a drainage pipe by the River Lea. The bees were loving the sunshine, coming to the water’s edge to drink. They seemed to be resting a moment, grooming themselves. I stayed and watched the coming and going of my breath, feeling the softness of the air as it washed through my nostrils into my lungs, resting a moment, and making the return journey. Like the tide.
If you practice until you become comfortable with it, after some time, you might be blessed, and the breathing settles into its own rhythm, and you feel as if you are being breathed.
The mind is easily agitated, and there’s plenty going on in the world to ruffle the waters.
It’s not quite t-shirt weather, at least not for me, but I did have a nice feeling of anticipation for the lighter days to come.
The world can crush you with its weight.
It changes and changes, and that’s never going to stop.
It’s dark out, and I’m back wearing my winter layers. Now that the earth has turned, we see the light of the sun reflected on the moon. Billions of suns beaming their energy toward us, and whoever else we’re sharing this universe with.
There will always be a good reason not to meditate or even to take one conscious breath.
But it is the way peace is found.
In the midst of all of this beauty and mess.
Till tomorrow
Love
Mikey