I recently attended an outdoor meditation class on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River in New Windsor. I was writing a story about it for the local paper, and was so happy to meet up again with talented photographer Kelly Marsh, who was taking shots for the same story.
I'd share a link to the story, but it's only for subscribers. I was a subscriber while I was a reporter, and yet we pretty much never got the paper delivered at home - either on time, or at all. And a good chunk of my time at my desk was spent fielding calls from other subscribers who weren't getting their papers, either. I'm not sure how keeping information from people who are paying for it (and keeping "extra" info from newsstand buyers, who pay more for their paper than subscribers) will help keep these hedge fund newspaper owners in business, but I'm assuming they JUST DON'T CARE.
Ahem, sorry. Back to the story.
It happened to be a beautiful evening, as our days have been of late (has anyone else noticed this? Sure, we've had rainy days, and lately it's been blisteringly hot, but for the most part Mother Nature has blessed us with weather that encourages us to go outside). Dr. Michele Winchester-Vega's mental-health practice is right off of busy Route 9W, but once you pull off the road and into the lot, the view of the sky, clouds, and mountains just erases everything away.
I met up with Kelly; she introduced me to Dr. Winchester-Vega, who was co-facilitating the meditation with Bryon Abrams (not Adams, for goodness' sake: Do you know how hard it was to NOT write "Bryon Adams"? But he's actually not the rock star, and that would have been embarrassing.)
On the grassy bluff were pallets, spaced far enough apart to allow social distancing. What you don't see in my photos - but would see if you can access the published story - is that each pallet was covered by a lightweight, beautifully printed blanket, with a cushioned legless chair on top. When I sat cross-legged on the chair, my arthritic legs felt wonderfully supported, and my back was, too.
I've meditated before, both on my own and guided by voice. Guided meditation is the bomb for me - I really feel like I can let go and just allow myself to be carried through the process. Bryon began by encouraging us to stand and shake out our muscles, then he guided us through some stretches and light tapping on our bodies before we sat down and got ready to start.
Let me tell you, being outdoors and letting the birdcalls and insect chirps surround you just enhances your experience. Sure, I heard the rumble of cars whizzing by, a few honks, and the lonely whistle of the train far below us on the banks of the river. But the practice of focusing on your breathing allows you to just "let it be."
I was humming along (to myself), when I heard a little buzz that stopped when I felt something grab my hair. "Oh my gosh," I thought, "a bug."
Now, I am a big fan of the natural world. A huge fan. Plants and gardening? Love them. Fishing? Can't get enough. Hiking? Kayaking? You don't have to ask me twice. Bugs? Um, pass.
So anyway, I reached up to brush away what I thought was a little bug. I should have realized it was a big bug when it wrapped its legs around a hank of my hair. When I reached up, it untwined from my hair and WRAPPED ITS LEGS AROUND MY FINGER.
Still with my eyes closed, I'm sure I looked ridiculous with horror on my face and my finger pointing up with a bug wrapped around it. I tried to think kind thoughts: "Oh, this bug likes me. It's giving me a bug hug." But nope, I Just. Couldn't. Do. It.
My eyes never opened (would YOU have wanted to see how big that bug was?) as I shook off the intruder and re-assumed relaxation.
But eventually, I had to take in that beautiful view. I opened my eyes and admired the perfectly puffy clouds skimming across a blue sky. As if on cue, a mockingbird hopped over a hill of dirt and tweeted right at me. I had to giggle.
How can you deprive yourself of this view? It's just gorgeous.
Before I knew it, 45 minutes had passed. I had to do the reporter thing, like interviewing attendees and other stuff like that, but before I left I just had to snap a few shots.
I never knew there was such beauty over there. All it took was some time, some guidance, a big bug and a tweety bird, and silence.
This is not a paid post, but if you're interested in the outdoor meditation, find Dr. Winchester-Vega's practice on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Michele-Winchester-Vega-Associates-714508005360218/
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