“In silence, oneness with everything is possible….” — Dale Carlson
My mind was busy as I walked to the trail. It was one of those days.
Should I go left? Should I go right?
I am always indecisive when my mind is occupied otherwise.
On this day, I went right—instead of left—and found my way along a narrow, woodland path.
Up a hill. Across a small, spring stream. Into the quiet of the woods—I was breathing again.
There, in front of me, a patch of new ferns congregated along the edge of the trail, and I paused for a moment.
Down on one knee, I snapped a few photos and realized in that very action, I had stopped worrying about the worries that were worrying me. Funny how that happens, isn’t it?
“It turns out meditation is not separate from daily life,” writes my friend Dale Carlson. “It is taking time for walking or sitting in silence so your life can be reflected in the pool of that silence.”
Right there I gave myself an assignment:
Look down, be quiet, pay attention.
And there they were. Small clusters of wildflowers, patches of delicate ferns, bright colors and playful shapes. New life, right in front of me.
I never would have seen them.
Look down, be quiet, pay attention.
Bloodroot
Bloodroot leaf
Dutchman’s Breeches
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Wood anemone (Nightcaps)
Marsh Blue Violet (I think)
Spring Beauty
Trout Lily
Trout Lily
• • •
Quotes from Stop the Pain: Adult Meditations by Dale Carlson, Bick Publishing House.
Photos ©2011, by Jen Payne
I like your friend Dale’s comment. Right on!
– Mary
Words of wisdom, right?
look at them all – wow!!!
wonderful, wonderful – and you’ve given yourself that assignment before, you know… this was just a gentle reminder – thanks, jen!!!
TJBG
It keeps coming around – seems an important thing to remember when life gets (over) busy. Glad you enjoyed!
Beautiful shots of earth’s simple pleasures!
Aren’t we lucky?
All this in one morning’s ramble — WONDERFUL.
I love wildflowers like this above all things: you don’t have to do any work,or anything. All you have to do is
look down, be quiet, pay attention.
And receive the gift.
Love the post.
A gift, indeed. Thanks for coming along for the walk!
Thank you for looking down! I haven’t seen a Jack in the pulpit for 40 years! Love ALL the pictures!
I am giddy this year at how many Jack in the Pulpits there ARE in the woods! Happy to share!
I love unfurling ferns!!! beautiful photos.
Don’t they sort of remind you of aliens? Or something you would stumble upon in a magical garden?