Transitioning
Ever since the seven day meditation retreat I completed a week and half ago, I’ve felt quiet. Upon leaving, I did not rush to listen to music like I usually do. I did not rush to do much of anything.
Last Saturday, I attended the monthly day-long retreat at No Abode and discovered that I really, really did not want to sit in meditation. Lucky me, I ended up planting a Buckeye (the state tree of California!) with another practitioner for a good chunk of the afternoon. My feet got soaked in the wet grass and my hands were caked with dirt by the time we finished. I loved it. Though it was foggy and rainy, I reveled in being outside. During the official work period after lunch, several people had cut back an overgrown rosemary bush and the air was sweet with the smell of it.
Transitioning from the seven day retreat has been a little more difficult than I expected. The first couple of days back, I found myself flustered and easily frustrated. After making it through traffic last Monday evening, I arrived at my drawing class wide-eyed and frazzled. I even found myself forgetting people’s names, which really bothered me. Maybe needless to say, this retreat has left me feeling a bit raw.
So, I am taking my time and trying to honor this by being quiet, going outside and doing things like planting a tree, appreciating the smell of rosemary and listening to the rain. It almost feels like healing.
(What I'm listening to right now: Balmorhea in Shanghai)