With Eyes Open: September 28 - October 4

View from Weasel Hollow, where I stayed with friends in the Olympic Peninsula.

Recently, I've been visiting various friends throughout Washington. Being in the Pacific Northwest is a welcomed change from being in Washington, DC. These days, uncertainty looms large. Sometimes I just want to close my eyes and pretend close friends have not lost their federal jobs, undocumented neighbors are not afraid to leave their homes, and the National Guard is not carrying guns in the Metro just a block from my home. And if I'm honest, sometimes I turn to meditation as an escape. I don't think this is true mindfulness at all.

Last week, I was meditating in the middle of the day while visiting Weasel Hollow. I found a quiet corner, closed my eyes and focused on my breath. I allowed my swirling thoughts to settle a bit. I felt gravity supporting me. I then imagined dropping into a deep place within, a place of stillness and stability where the storms of life can't touch. I think of it as my inner mountain. I come here often in search of peace.

In the middle of the meditation, a new thought came to me. "Open your eyes..." I laughed to myself. Why was I imagining a mountain when there were actual mountains in front of me? I opened my eyes and found myself surrounded by incredible beauty. I kept my eyes open throughout the rest of the meditation. I smelled the pine trees. I heard the birds singing. And I laughed again with joy. Sometimes the peace I so desperately seek is already in front of me, if only I have eyes to see.

Practice

If you like, you can close your eyes and imagine your own inner mountain. Allow the storms of life to rage at the surface, name them if that helps but don't get swept away by them. Know there is a quiet place deep within you too. With a little patience and enough stillness, you can arrive there. This is a place where your deepest self always abides. Visit yourself.

Better yet, go through the rest of this day with your eyes wide open. Look up and get lost in the shape of the clouds, the warmth of the sun, the spaciousness of the sky. Listen for birds. Spend time with a tree or a mountain or a lake. Allow their company to soothe your soul. Remember to look into the eyes of a friend, a loved one, or even a new acquaintance. Notice the color of their eyes. Beauty, peace, and joy may even show up in the most unexpected places but you have to remember to look.