Whole in One
As a newly minted empty-nester, I took up a new hobby and tried golf. From the start, it was obvious I needed to keep my attention in the present moment; not anticipating the challenging hole ahead nor the missed shot from the previous hole. A golf game also benefits from using the 7 Attitudes of Mindfulness which include Non-Striving, Non-Judgment, Acceptance, Patience, Trust, Letting Go and Beginner’s Mind. For example, beginner's mind.... every hole we start again, a fresh beginning, a new opportunity.
Being in nature is a buffet for the senses... I stop regularly to notice the sensations brought on by a breeze or the warm sun. I take in the smell of newly cut grass and the sounds of a babbling brook as the birds chirp overhead. I linger on the stunning views of clouds floating across the blue sky and massive trees gently swaying, noting how they are firmly rooted and grounded, yet still flexible, not rigid.
Rather than ruminating on how I'm playing as I travel between holes, I recognize it's an opportunity for a walking meditation. I pay close attention to my feet connecting with the earth below me; heel, toe, heel, toe.
There are ample opportunities for breath awareness and a body scan practice.... I stop regularly to notice the sensations of my heart beat, the heat on my back where my bag rests, the rise and fall of my chest, my legs burning as I climb steep hills. To ease soreness in my forearms, my instructor encouraged me, "Soften your grip; you're squeezing too tightly". A looser grip without clenching seems to produce a smoother swing and more effective shot. This called to mind the attitude of Letting Go.
In her book, The Wisdom of No Escape, Pema Chodron uses the phrase, "Not too tight, not too loose" to refer to an individual's journey to discover a "middle way" or a "balance" between ease and effort. It's a continual practice of learning to soften when we find ourselves too rigid or becoming more precise when we're lax. What if I could practice this in everyday experiences, noticing when I allow my tension to radiate far beyond the point of origin and reminding myself to let go and soften around whatever or whomever?? Each moment offers an opportunity for mindful awareness.
As I traverse the golf course, I am filled with gratitude for the beauty around me and for my good fortune that all my basic needs and beyond are met. Now that's what I call a ‘Whole in One!’
May each and every one of us feel whole,
Your CMP Family
(Thank you again to Lisa Sheehan for this glimpse of sunshine and warmth and for this week's blog and photo!)
