Conscious Answering

As is the way of things, I haven't noticed anything for a while.  All of a sudden the wellspring of observation is refreshed, and today while driving, I heard portions of a program with Carolyn Casey on NPR (if you haven't heard her...she is WELL worth listening to). There was a discussion about becoming conscious of ourselves in relation to earth consciousness, and one caller asked how we could be conscious amidst the demands of daily work in an office. The guest mentioned that he has written a book that will be out in February called Field Guide To the Soul (neat title, eh?) wherein he gives exercises to do at the office that allow for consciousness to flow.

He mentioned that for him the telephone is a great disrupter of equilibrium. So rather than allow it to remain so, he decided to make a concerted effort each time the phone rings to let it ring three times and do deep breathing between each ring. He said that act of conscious remembrance created a deep calm in him and has made a major difference in his reaction on the phone and in the office.

Soon after he started doing this, he noticed that one of his secretaries would come into his office and sit by his desk on her breaks. He asked her what was up. She said that it was so peaceful in his office that she just wanted to hang out there. He said that was a real confirmation that his practicing of presence did indeed make a difference, not just to him, but to others as well.

As I listened to this, I was driving home from downtown, and realized how often I just zip around from point A to point B without really being present in my surroundings. I made a conscious effort of noting the ground and the trees and the sky, and suddenly I wasn't out of my body just navigating by rote, but was participating and being conscious as I traversed the terrain towards home. It felt good. The trees were healthy and green. They held out their arms in welcome. The road was sturdy and provided smooth pavement for me to travel on, and the sky, well...what can I say. Radiant Blue. A picture postcard rather than a mindless blip, because I took the time to be aware of it and appreciate the gift I am given in being part of this earth and part of this picture!
From Seasons of the Soul 1998