Practice Observing and Describing
On Retreat
On retreat, at times the opposite of treat.
A fear, a frustration, an unknown,
which floods the body and heart.
Will this be my life?
In all this, can I create space with a breath?
Waiting, waiting, waiting, for the treat.
Oh, there, a pause in the fear.
A noticed breath, an ease in the body.
A presence of connecting with grace.
Ahhh, on retreat.
HVAC
My mind like the HVAC system overhead,
Always on, monitoring for greatest comfort.
In the middle, it stops, oh the ease,
I didn’t know how this running is so exhausting.
Sure, it starts again working hard to maintain.
I wonder if I can expand my comfort range?
For this life; and someday the power will be cut.
Note from my 2pm Session – 45 minutes
Data: 57 yr old, male, white, presented well, sat in a chair.
- Began with 3 breaths in/out to soften the body.
- Reports body feeling fairly soft overall; some back pain, right-side.
- Fairly neutral session re: thoughts, stories; nothing heavy.
- Appeared to be sleepy and found himself in midst of daydreaming or fantasy mind.
- Mid-way thru session, fair amount of physical discomfort when he was swallowing. Reports thereafter that a scratch in his throat brought greatest amount of dis-ease.
- Session ended with three bells.
Assessment: Normal human conditioning, he wonders if throat charka is telling him something.
Plan: Continue sessions, loving-kindness practice. Next appointment scheduled for 3:30pm.
Listening to the RAIN outside
The slow sounds of water, working their way home from the tubes of man.
In the sound, a path to Recognize what’s here.
Allowing as it all belongs.
A story of its origins brings Inquiry.
Whose story? Not mine, just the Nature of things.
This rain, gives me pause and a knowing of a greater untold story.
OK, my attempt at prose while on retreat this past week. I may continue to try these words as it tickles an unknown part of me. Inspired by Joseph Goldstein while at IMS.
I find mindfulness meditation supports my intention practice observing and describing....if only for a moment.
Mondays & Thursdays
12:15 – 12:45 pm
Room 407 @ Second Presbyterian Church
7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
or
Zoom! - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83998337582
Meeting ID: 839 9833 7582 - Password: 672891
Join others in Mindfulness Meditation on Mondays and Thursdays at 12:15 pm. Brief discussion, followed by silent practice and concluding with observations, comments or wonderings.Take refuge in the present moment. Mindfulness Meditation is the opportunity to rest in Presence in a supportive environment with others. No experience, fee or registration is necessary.
P. Scott Sweet, LCSW, LCAC
Executive Director
CenterPoint Counseling