During my meditation this morning, it wasn’t my thoughts that pulled me out of the moment, it was a fly.
Tickles on my sweaty arm and legs.
My first reflex? To shoo it away, to swat it.
Discomfort, however small, usually feels like something that shouldn’t be there.
But that was exactly the invitation.
And yes, the first fly came back, then a second, and a few ants joined in.
Simply being there with myself, with my discomfort, with my new little friends.
To experience that I am not all of it.
And at the same time, that I embody it all.
I felt myself becoming one with both me and my tiny companions.
After my meditation, a memory came back of Paul, “the guitar player from NYC”, whom I met in Iquitos, Peru.
He lived with two monkeys in the Floating Lodge. Every day, he would venture into the swampy jungle, monkeys on his shoulders, surrounded by insects and all kinds of little crawling creatures. Completely one with everything itch or sting, it didn’t matter. He was simply with what is.
With that example in mind, I know I still have some learning to do. Thank you Paul for this reminder!
Today, try making friends with whatever comes your way or lands on your arm.