There is something so soothing about sleeping on the earth at night. Or napping on it, breathing through the summer grasses. It is solid and meets my body, leaving an impression on my cheek and chest.
Water is like that, against the surface of the bottom of the earth as it flows. The type of flow is shaped by this bottom. The bottom is actually inversely reflected in the surface of the water and its patterns. A river trip in a canoe, a raft, kayak or inner tube makes this keenly apparent on the surface of the water. Shallow bottom equals choppy white water. Deeper bottom equals calmer waters on top.
So depth determines flow, along with, of course, volume of flow.
The flow of any day can be challenging, or a blessing. Bliss or dread.
The day itself, all of them, can be full. Probably are for most of us. With all that “volume” our DEPTH then, will always determine the quality of the surface of our waters. The ability to be in “yes,” or “no.”
I’ve been listening to more than one story with the same theme from different people over the last few days. They have all been about “short fuses” in the face of challenges.
A short fuse is generally not a reflection of yes, but rather, “no.”
With an increased depth inside of us, the length of our “fuse” is extended. Calmer waters for bliss or dread, challenge or blessing.
The invitation then is to explore what allows us to go deeper. How do we do that? How do we culture this as a practice and extend our fuse, our “bottom?” How do we invite the depth of yes into our daily flow?
I listen while in nature. I meditate. I breath a few conscious breaths directed from, and to, my heart. There are lots of paths to deepening. This discovery is in beginning on a path of deepening, whatever it looks like.
Today, it was a nap in the grass…yesssssssss!
