Star Drunk

Moving through terrain charted and uncharted. Choose with full awareness to tap into and interact with our cosmic nature via the breath, unveiling the soft stillness, so to speak, of the mind. Such tremendous opportunity to expand and contract, expand and contract. That is the breath. It allows for the observance of self within these bounds; the inhale ~ the exhale. Providing space to encounter with clarity, the gentle musing of our inner world. The place and space from which all things of this physical world are born. All things.

As we consider the approach to this space and place of stillness, it may be helpful to consciously initiate a simple purpose, an intention, if you will, for this journey. This as a means to corral the swirling of all these topics of discussion, these lists bouncing between the ears. These so-called thoughts we have collected over time whose seeming sole focus is to consume with eager persistence a place in our mind. Seeking constantly for attention, bubbling up to the surface over and over. Incessant chatter with such an instinct to dominate. Leaving precious little space for anything but to make its way through. Useful it is true, in a fundamental state. Here, however, in these moments we encourage them to relent and recede. Help them to know their place for the moment ~ entice their cooperation. Over time they will follow and stillness will lead instead, the instant it is beckoned. Muscle memory will prevail and grow stronger with each stride.

Intention once set. Inner gaze then steadied. Take a moment ~ weave the two and permit the breath, it will come anyway. Send an invitation, nonetheless, let it know we are ready, and we will follow.

At the approach, night is mostly lit by stars. Moon has yet to reveal herself. Light dims from the yonder and foot still falls with a knowing. Consider the body, the means by which movement is enabled. Weighty elbows keeping balance between lightness of wrists and anchored shoulders. Rhythmic time is kept, swinging this way and that. Take note.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Footsteps in the dark, one after the other on this not oft tread, dark, dark earth. She is quiet, this earth in this now, on this path. Only seen here, this now. Enveloped by stillness from the north, east, south and west and the deep restful quietude of near pitch black. Save for distant mountains ranging and treetops, there is no thing here but clear, star lit sky. Oh, such beauty. Step lively.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Shooting star sweeps across time space. Dust like me ~ sister, brother, we are each cosmic and emerge from this sameness. And then, that steady~steady, off in the distance; faint at the start. Gathering force, forging its own path. Gurgling up from sacred stillness. The place from which all is born. We are one now and thought residue subsides ~ drifting, mixing with this meandering stream. Reaching its pitch then bubbling back into stillness. Take note.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Caught now and again by this starry night. Star drunk with this persistent, never ending swath ~ enamored by them. Allow yourself to be swept away, be drunk with it too, swoon. That starry stillness, it is akin to a soothing elixir, sip from it, this sky chalice. Allow earth's elixir to steep and permeate each cell, every molecule of your being. Give it time to rest within for a few moments, simmer. Grow roots now from which a deep grounding resounds supporting these limbs over sockets, sockets over limbs. Step lively.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. There is a rhythm and cadence now embedded, stay with this pace. Heel and then toe, heel and then toe. Soft curve of the inner sole of your inner soul just beneath. Rise and fall, stepping lively all the while. Stones just beneath crunching, invading the still. Anchoring footsteps in the dark with a new awareness. Eyes for seeing are not so useful here in this darkness. Though even with things unseen, seen they are still. Take note.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Song of the cicadas rise with a fervent pitch, punctuating quietude with their urgent call and another new awareness ensues. And then a faint remembrance of some far ago, senses hidden till now, peaks through and flexes. Pitch recedes, then quietude once more. These moments from which stillness arise are everywhere. Tucked between sounds and overgrown, unpruned thoughts. The place from which all things bloom and long forgotten perennial senses reappear. Step lively.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Peer up then, take a moment and pause your footfall, glimpse the sky awash with the mighty mightiness of expansion. Take hold of it, for it may serve as a useful anchor. Even as you sway with starlit delight, a useful anchor still. Beneath this starlit sky, along terrain not oft tread stillness pervades. Walk this path and emotions will likely rise and fall, drawn out by the unknown. Allow them to be, revealing themselves here, they have stories to tell which may unfold in the after hours. Trust your footing beneath, feel supported and know that you are, stay alert. Take note.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Celestial bodies perforate inky canvas with their twinkle. Connecting heaven and earth. Dotting along, steady as she goes. Clear bright air swirls, subtle aliveness seeping in and made more vibrant with your awareness. Breath it in and then out. Ample time allows for a pause once more to feel this dense earth beneath your stance. Grow roots again from which a deep grounding arises to support you. Let the energy of her arise from this place. Breath it up through the toes and feet, ankle then calf. Knee then thigh. Hip then belly. Spine then chest. Fingers and hand. Wrist then forearm. Elbow then shoulder. Neck then face, and all the way up to the very top of the head. Rest here ~ then ... step lively.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Thoughts may emerge, gently remind them of their commitment. Nearly there, you are safe, all is well. Off yonder sounds draw your attention ~ let them be a compass. The soft tinker of cow bells provides a tether-like current of which you grab hold guided ever closer to the destination. Take note.

Permit the breath, steady the gaze. Vast cosmic ocean of space pervades. This grand void from which all things emerge. The Pleiades cluster reveals itself amidst them all, glittering like so many diamonds. You are that too.

Observe the pace of your footfall, you have arrived. Step lively. Take note.