Guru Sage: November 1 - 7

Sage and I working together on the week's mindful reflection.

Most of the time, my reflections take shape during the week while I'm sitting in meditation. Before I start to write, I stop and ask myself:

• What is most important right now?

• What lesson do I need to learn?

• What is emerging in the present moment?

Essentially, this blog is my personal journal that I happen to share each week.

However lately, I'm getting outside help. Sage, my 8-month old grandson is both my teacher and inspiration. (A note about teachers: teachers can come in all shapes and sizes. An oak tree, a monarch caterpillar, and a devoted dog have taught me many things about myself, mindfulness, and life.)

Here's what Sage has been teaching me:

1. Give the person speaking to you your complete attention. Sage studies my face when I speak to him. He looks in my eyes. He's not thinking about what he is going to say. He makes me feel like I'm the most important person.

2. Don't hang onto and dwell in your emotions. I can watch emotions flow through Sage. When he's happy, he's totally happy. When he's unhappy, it shows on his face and through his body. He expresses his emotions and moves to the next moment. He doesn't get stuck in the past or the present but always experiences the present.

3. Rejoice in the amazing workings of your body. It is so much fun to watch Sage as he discovers his fingers and toes. He's just learning to roll over and sit up. We too had to once discover all of this for ourselves. Appreciate the gift of your body.

Practice

I encourage you to spend time with a small child this week, especially one who has recently arrived on this plant. If only we could go back and unlearn the many unconscious habits we picked up along the way.

Or you could ask yourself the same questions I offered earlier:

• What is most important right now?

• What lesson do I need to learn?

• What is emerging in the present moment?

Sit in stillness with one of these questions until your thoughts settle. Listen deeply. Act accordingly.