—My Personal Meditation Story, Part Fifteen—
Go to Part One of— Beginning Meditation – My Meditation Story
”Babies are full of wonder and absolutely in the present moment.”
Surrendering to Joy
In 1989 I had the wonderful experience of witnessing the birth of my first child—a little redheaded baby girl who in July of this year will turn twenty-one. She is a delight. Witnessing her birth was witnessing a miracle and a deep meditation for me. She didn’t cry but instead whimpered softly when she was born. The world truly seemed to come to a stop or standstill at the moment she was born. I have witnessed nothing like it since.
I have three children and yet only on this first occasion did I witness this standstill. Perhaps it was there for the others and I was not tuned in enough to experience it. I don’t know. It was a hush that came over the birthing room. It was if all things in the universe were listening carefully and attending the birth on some energetic level. An irreversible and positive change was occurring in the cosmos and a gentle pause was necessary.
Innocence and Wonder
Babies are amazing. They are full of wonder and absolutely in the present moment. What a joy it is to play with children and surrender to their innocence and wonder. One must let go of the “grownup” sensibility and become part of the playfulness and simplicity. It is indeed a great meditation to get back in touch with the inner child still inside.
I recommend spending time with children. There is nothing like it. Here I am twenty years later and I take every opportunity to connect with kids. I was sitting in a coffee shop recently and this baby noticed me. He started looking at me with wonder. I met eyes with him and tried to let go and be as innocent and full of wonder as he was. I longed for my own childlike wonder.
Trust and Simplicity
That level of trust and simplicity is so inviting. Can we recover it in ourselves? Sometimes the Mother is protective and will give a glance of disapproval. Honestly, more often than not it is the baby who begins it. They are so curious and excited about their surroundings. They are like Buddha—eyes open wide—souls wide open—receptive and pure. This is one of my favorite forms of meditation.
Take the next opportunity to meet eyes with a baby and let go of all of the stuff of identity and pretense. It may trigger a rebirth in you. It almost always does in me. You let go to that degree and laugh and look around and your surroundings as if you got here just now for the first time. What is this all about? What interesting colors and shapes. What is this all for? Who am I? Am I anything?
Continue reading My Personal Meditation Story, Part Sixteen.