by Amy Caldwell
“A piece of old cloth, especially one torn from a larger fabric, used typically for cleaning things.”
Although likening meditation to a rag is not a common metaphor, we are living in uncommon times.
Each one of us is a piece of the whole. And while we aren’t necessarily “old,” we have some amount of human experience under our belts. In our regular daily lives, we can sometimes feel separate or “torn” from the whole.
Right now, we have an opportunity to deeply see and connect to the reality that we are part of a much larger fabric.
Especially under the current circumstances, the importance of cleaning takes on a powerful relevance – why not use this time to investigate our perceptions, what filters and lenses we employ to see the world? Can we allow ourselves to be more open, curious, and loving?
R.A.G. This simple acronym can serve as a daily meditation in as little as three minutes (one minute each):
R Relax
A Awaken
G Gather
Relax. Enjoy a few deep breaths. Move in any way that helps facilitate relaxation: Exhale with an open mouth, roll the shoulders, tense, and relax the face.
Awaken. Bring awareness to anything in the present moment: sound, smell, thoughts, emotions, body sensations. Meet whatever you find with curiosity and love – as you would a cherished friend.
Gather. Locate an area in your body where you feel the breath: i.e, the torso or nostrils, etc. Choose one location and gather your full attention there. Each time the mind wanders away, return to watching and feeling the breath. Remain here, in the present, and enjoy the experience.
Amy Caldwell
Contributing Writer
Amy (E-RYT 500) has dedicated herself to the practice, study and teaching of yoga since discovering its joys and benefits in 1997 while backpacking throughout Asia, Australia, and parts of Europe. Amy is a Co-Founder of Yoga One and lead teacher for their yoga teacher training program.
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