I like to walk alone on country paths, rice plants and wild grasses on both sides, putting each foot down on the earth in mindfulness, knowing that I walk on the wondrous earth. In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality. People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
~Thich Nhat Hanh
The Miracle of Mindfulness
Yesterday I decided to walk mindfully around my house. As I am recovering from surgery, I can't "do" much of anything I love ~ Yoga, walking, gardening, and such. But the thought entered quietly, inhale, lift the foot, feel the foot floating through space; exhale, feel toes and foot touch the floor. Sometimes we do this mindfulness practice in class or on retreat. The beach is a perfectly lovely place! For now it is simply the place where my feet gently touch whatever is beneath them...
