My public meditation, out in the world, was in London at Paddington Station right at noon. One of the pleasures of meditating in a public place is the surprise of how easy it is to do. And paradoxically, one of the busiest train stations around, London’s Paddington, is an ideal place for a meditation.
Wait a minute Kathleen! Did you just say that a loud, noisy, rushing, chaotic, busy train station is IDEAL for meditation??
OK! Let me qualify that a bit…not for everyday.
But the truth is that I bet your life is loud, noisy, rushing, chaotic, and busy – at least some of the time. So what better than to have an external experience to mirror the internal experience.
A reminder of how wild the inner mind and daily demands can be.
And a reminder of the necessity for a “time-out” every day.
Also, the train station is superficial. None of the noise and demand is for you. It is just in the background.
Consider this: how much of the chaos, noise, demand, distraction in your life is really and truly yours? How much of it is superficial and can be ignored? Not all of it, I know. But some of it.
So, my Meditation In The World was quite invigorating. I am always get excited before I meditate in public – and I do it a lot – cafes, coffee shops, bookstore, parks, beaches, city plazas, sidewalk, airports, and now train station!
How will it go? Will I be able to find quietness? Are people staring at me? Ignoring me?
And of course “why?”
Well, each time I learn something new. I notice something else. I experience another place of quiet and calm amidst the swirl that otherwise never presents itself.
Public Meditation is a wonderful treat to experience and just a little adventure that you can have wherever you may be. Give it a try.
Please remember SAFETY. I often have someone else with me who is the “keeper” and keeps an eye on me, any others participating, and the belongings. Use common sense…and Enjoy!
xo,
Kathleen