The Square Inch - A Wandering Meditation
Have you ever really examined what lies within one square inch? One square inch of anything offers you so many stories! The story in any square inch can mean something different to everyone. Let me offer you a story: The other day while I was out wandering, I came upon another fellow wanderer. I have to admit, my first impressions of this man were quite judgmental. I parked beside him and noticed him throwing back some water as he stood beside his black Prius. This car was filthy, packed to the ceiling with random belongings and bags, and a back bumper smeared with duct tape. I thought he was homeless. And why should that be something I would judge this person for, when I myself am basically homeless! My car looks the same, minus the duct tape, and I have no real home to call my own.
He went on up the trail and I made my way up, as well. I hadn’t gone very far when I heard the most beautiful, angelic American Native flute music wafting through the trees. As I neared, I recognized this same man breathing his breath into this musical instrument and producing the most sacred of songs. Respect.
I continued to pick my way up the hillside and had stopped to write a few thoughts down when I watched this same journeyer come close. Something caught his eye and he leaned down to pick up something from the soil, which he examined and stuck into his leather satchel. This is something I do all of the time and I was curious! He happened to see me watching him and I asked him what treasure he had found. He pulled a shell from his bag. It was something that had obviously meant something to him. I told him that only a wanderer would notice such a thing. THIS WAS HIS SQUARE INCH!
We continued a brief but very meaningful conversation. He had told me that he was from Rhode Island and that he had been on a month long solo journey cross country to basically, find himself. He had lost most of his bumper on the terrible Texas roads. Ahhh….that explained the duct tape. Respect. I asked him what he had learned on his journey thus far. He said, “I need to keep a toolbox with me at all times and I have many friends everywhere.” He also said that once he returned, he had a lot of life altering decisions he would have to make. Respect. “Marco, it was nice meeting you, my friend. God speed.”
WANDERING MEDITATION:
For this meditation, you needn’t go very far but it would be best to find a place somewhere in nature. Find a rock to sit on, a tree to climb, a tree to lean against, a patch of grass or any place that pulls you in.
You must sit for this one. And then…start noticing.
First, start close in. Start with a square inch little block of one of your hands. Examine all of the details: The scars, moles, hair follicles, veins, lines, etc. Think about what your hands of built, who they have held, the letters they have written, the work they have accomplished…etc. Write in your journal what comes up.
Next, start looking around you. Examine the ground at your feet, to the sides of you, in the back of you - every square inch. What do you see? Write it all down!
I hope you discover something unexpected. I sure did! I noticed a tiny egg shell, a wee little frog, a moth completely camouflaged on a rock, hundreds of little shells lining the earths floor and many other things.
I hope you enjoy every Square Inch! Happy Wandering and as always,
Wander, Wonder, and Wild!
Lynna Foster
