The Forum: A guided meditation through the diversions of the suburban experience
A guided meditation through the diversions of the suburban experience
By Elizabeth Souder, Class of 2020
Conference information:
Reflections:
These essays are the views of the authors alone and do not represent the positions of the Texas Lyceum.
A guided meditation through the diversions of the suburban experience
By Elizabeth Souder, Class of 2020
Breathe in two three four.
Breathe out two three four.
The meditation lady in Abilene said to focus on your breathing and your surroundings.
So, I am sitting on a park bench by the neighborhood duck pond.
I set my watch for three minutes of meditation.
I can do this.
Breathe in two three four.
Breathe out two three four.
The meditation lady said listen to the sounds around you to focus on being present.
I close my eyes. I hear:
The pond rippling.
The ducks quacking.
The traffic humming.
The marching band practicing at the high school across from the park.
My son is there, playing his trombone.
Can't believe homecoming is already next weekend.
Oh no, I forgot to put a hold on my calendar for the homecoming parade. It starts so early in the afternoon, always a mad dash.
Remember that year the elementary teachers decided at the last minute to make a float, and the kids decorated it with paper, and it rained the night before the parade, and everything turned into mush?
Long suffering sixth grade teachers. I should send them donuts.
Oh! Meditating. Being present. Yes. Sitting on a park bench.
Breathe in two three four.
Breathe out two three four.
I hear the pond rippling.
The ducks quaking.
Does tinnitus count as a meditation sound?
A jogger clumps by. With a podcast on his phone for all the world to hear. Everybody wants to hear your talk show, buddy!
Stop, no judgement. The meditation lady said no judgement. She said listen with kindness and curiosity. Maybe the jogger can’t use headphones. Because his head is very small. Or he doesn’t have ears. Or he has crushing tinnitus.
The temptation to open my eyes and check is ...
No! Focus.
Breathe in two three four.
Breathe out two three four.
Meditation lady said do a body check.
Feet on the ground. I wiggle my toes. I shift my legs back and forth.
Left knee hurts. Both elbows hurt.
Is it actually possible that I have arthritis at age 49? I need some Advil. But what if it’s something serious like Lyme’s disease?
That's silly, the closest I get to wildlife is this duck pond.
I probably just need to go to the gym more often.
And drink more water.
Maybe I should get one of those gallon-sized sippy jugs, and I would fill it up every morning and drink all day, and I wouldn’t have to count my water glasses.
Those things are too big for the cupholder in the Prius. Everybody at work would have a comment.
And I rarely count my water glasses, so that’s not exactly a burden.
Whoa! Stop! Focus.
Sitting on a park bench. Feet on the grass.
Ducks quaking.
Water rippling.
Breathe in two three four.
Breathe out two three four.
Phone buzzes.
I did it, I supposedly meditated for three minutes. I’m pretty sure I botched it.
The meditation lady said distractions are just opportunities to build the capacity to refocus. Gratitude for today’s many opportunities.
I do feel more tranquil, like my brain got a rest.
I'm ready, let's do this day.