Clear and Present

God rearranges my camping trip

Heading out early tomorrow morning for a few days camping on the beach at Santa Barbara.  It is going to be clear, sunny, warm, breezy. 

Those of you who read my articles know I love to camp and sleep outdoors.  Nature is a big inspiration for me.

We have friends we camp with sometimes who are great fun.  They bring their two larger than life dobermans who like to chew the fat with Mr. Barker.  Last time we camped they also brought caviar, crystal glasses for their Armagnac and food to feed the whole campground. (In fairness it was a birthday celebration - they don't always travel with Beluga and they also brought Twinkies and 'smores).

My husband and I have different camping styles. He would do well on one of those Reality Survivor shows where you have to catch your food before you eat it.  He loves to improvise and create and enjoys it when he is pushed to the wall and has to make do.  His favorite camping trip is the one where we left the main bag of food in our garage and we made meals out of combinations of creamed corn, hot dogs and potato chips - whatever the local camping store had on hand.

I'm sort of in the middle.  I like choices. So I may take hot chocolate, green tea, coffee and wine because I don't know what I'll feel like round the campfire.  I'm flexible and like to be comfortable and also take cues from Reality.

What was I looking for and did I find it?

Daydreaming. Playing with time.

Came to haunched in front of one of my many old bookcases.

(I love the way the sun slices off the San Gabriel mountains and  honefies the whole room).

The light insistent. Urgent.

Like I'm standing with one hand on my frigidaire. Hmmm... what am I in the mood for?

And the cold, unblinking light says - make up your damn mind.

Okay. So what was I looking for exactly? Not something to read.  Plenty there. Buddhism, poetry, philosophy, Beachy novels,  yadda yadda yadda.

No. Actually, what I was looking for was God. 

Late on a Spring afternoon. A little tired, out of "stuff" - what else would be on my agenda?

So. - that pretty much opens up the whole shebang - God being  everywhere 'n all.

Here is what I pulled from the "grab bag".  (Improv, if you're into it).

Is this God?

Awareness is Serious Business

Let’s talk about AwDD.  This is not the same as AD/HD.       

You may have Awareness Deficit Disorder – you just may not be aware of it.

Ever stand in your own living room; hold an item in your hand; put it down; turn to do something and then spend two hours looking for it.  Hands up those whose most memorable searches have stretched into days? 

How about those of you who live in large towns which have stores with big parking lots.  Ever spend an unproductive half hour wandering up and down rows of cars with heavy shopping bags in your arms trying hard to look nonchalant but feeling like an idiot?  How is it possible that you have absolutely no idea where your car is when you yourself parked and locked it and strolled away from it less than an hour ago?

Why do I meditate in the kitchen?

Because that's where the timer is.

There's nothing worse than being jolted from a blissful state by a high-pitched buzzer.  For a second I don't know where I am and I don't know whether to answer the door or check the spuds in the oven.

I found a great resource for us lone meditators - MyZendo.com.  Great little website with pre-programmed meditations. Everything from 15 minute quickies to 90 minute long hauls with spaced walking meditations. You simply click on the button you want.  You get about 10 seconds to settle into position then you hear three gentle resonating bells - just like the ones at your favorite Zen Center.  One final bell at the end.  That's it. No muzak, no commercials, no spam in your inbox. Just a pure, useful service.