My last day at the Praying with the Earth (prayer and yoga) retreat was not disappointing. As we started yet another day with yoga, I realized that I really need to make yoga a weekly practice for my mind and body. A week ago during my writing institute, I started to write about what sustains me. When I balance practices for my body, mind, and spirit, I am healthier, and I was reminded of this during this retreat. I also need to stop and pay attention. This morning I opened the door to check the status of the current storm and was greeted by the sound of loons, so I took time to stop and listen. Later in the morning after chapel, I walked the outdoor labyrinth. Once again I was silent in mediation and walking. The labyrinth is the size of a baseball field, and it took thirty minutes to enter the circle. Although I don't have access to a labyrinth or loons, I think I could spend some time walking near the lakes each day (at least during the summer) without being plugged in. Of course the first thing I did when I returned home (actually entered my car) was to plug in, I think I need to take time each day to experience nature without my music blaring and to unplug from electronics for some part of time each day. Unplugging at the retreat was easy because there was little to know cell phone or internet connections, following through at home will be more difficult. Maybe I'll merely start with quiet yoga time.
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