Prana

It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Everything, from the warm salt-kissed air to the pod of dolphins meandering just off the shore—everything was just as I had envisioned. Just as I had manifested. Time seemed to twist and turn, rise up and disappear into the sky like the early morning mist off the sea before me. I filled my lungs with the warm air that tickled my skin with a drawn breath, savoring every moment of the fulfillment. I felt my body sink into weightlessness as I released the air in a long exhale. Not the dreamy sort of weightless of floating on a cloud, but the charged, energetic weightlessness of your soul on fire.

From behind me I heard a deep, soothing voice croon, “Out here already?” with a soft chuckle. I smiled, turning my head slightly so that the rising sun caught on the golden streaks of my hair. “Where else would you be,” he murmured into my ear as he sank to the sand and wrapped his arms around me with a kiss on the cheek. I savored the warmth of his embrace, of the sun on my face. Off in the distance a horse let out a high-pitched call. There were a few answers, blending into a joyful ballad carried on the wind. I could feel the methodic rumble through the sand beneath me before I could see them. I felt my lover smile against my shoulder as we watched them steadily thunder through the surf towards us.

They were magnificent. Breathtaking. I watched as their manes tangled in the wind, the whites and golds glinting in the sunlight, the browns and blacks providing a crisp contrast. Their reflections shimmered in the sea as they neared us, slowing down as they sensed our presence. The leader of the herd pranced a half circle to the right of us, rearing up on her powerful hind legs in a salutation to the sea, the sun. Her sleek, painted coat was a mesmerizing swirl of browns and whites. As the rays of sun peaked through her ears and raised front legs, you could glimpse every color of the rainbow bouncing off her patches of white.

Anahata was her name. I could feel it in my bones, could hear it rolling off the waves crashing along the shore. I could see it in her eyes as she looked to her herd, patiently awaiting her guidance as they stood in the waves. With a last look towards us, she turned and galloped along the shoreline, her herd following her as a single, glorious unit. A dynamic entity rising and falling in harmonious rhythm. We watched as the last of their tails rounded the outcropping of large weathered sandstone and disappeared.

As I opened my eyes, a soft breeze carried the lovely scent of fresh food past my face. I looked up just as the sun was blocked from my view, my lover leaning in to kiss me. “Smells like the food is ready, my love” he whispered. A warm smile spread across my face as I glanced back towards our seaside abode. The hammock between the two palms framing the side entrance. The soft stone archway decorated with seashells we had collected along the shore. The warm brown cedar shingles that adorned the cerulean cottage. And finally the large kitchen windows, flung open to soak up the afternoon sun.

As we waltzed up towards the porch, I caught a glimpse of the magnificent spread on the kitchen table. A spiral of red laid out on in the center—strawberries and raspberries from the local market. Filling in the gaps of the spiral was a swirl of orange and yellow. Supple mangoes and sweet clementine wedges. On the outskirts of the spiral were plump blueberries atop a bed of kiwi slices. My mouth watered at the sight as I turned to my lover, “What did I do to deserve this, to deserve you?” He squeezed my hand as we locked eyes. I could see the honey gold of my own reflected in his rich brown as he said, “You are love. You are light. And you are Being.”

We savored every bite of the delicious meal. The fresh greens on top of the mushroom polenta bowl. The rainbow fruit platter. The sweet spice of the iced chai tea we had made that morning. I could feel the energy ripple through my body, an echo of the waves beyond, as the food nourished my very spirit. When we were fully satiated, we made our way to the Palm Hammock. I curled up next to my lover, settling into our joined, radiant warmth. Listening to the gulls and the waves as we gently swayed in the wind that synchronized with our breath.

Some time must have passed, for when I blinked my eyes open again, beautiful shades of yellow and orange swirled against the clouds. I looked out to see Anahata standing regal on the wet sand, occasional rushes of seawater lapping around her hooves. Unwrapping from my lover’s embrace, I stepped onto the soft sand and walked toward her. I felt her energy draw me closer like a soft caress. As I finally approached, she nuzzled my outstretched hand and let out a welcoming nicker. She turned slightly, lowering her neck. I took the invitation and swept onto her back. I looked back to my lover, smiling widely at my union with Anahata. With his hand raised in farewell, I turned forward and urged Anahata on with a release of my breath.

We galloped through the waves joyously, sand kicking up from Anahata’s hooves as the splashes of saltwater caressed my legs. My heart soared as we moved through the landscape, our bodies moving as one. Hers powerful, steady, magnificent. Mine fluid and harmonious with her movements as we thundered on. Her rhythmic hoofbeats the music of our dance. As we soared on, my gaze rose upwards to the deepening orange sky as I filled my lungs with that sweet salty air.

I exhaled.

Looked down at the crossed legs on the carpeted floor. Looked up at the bland white paint covering the drywall ceiling. I smiled as I felt the rhythmic beating of my heart, like horse hooves over soft sand. I smiled as I felt my breath flow through me like an ocean breeze, the energy rolling through my body like gentle waves over a sandy shore. I smiled as I felt that loving embrace emanating from my soul. I smiled as I looked down at the marigold flower in my hands, the yellow and orange petals as rich and warm as a west coast sunset.