Welcome.
It's autumn.
The leaves are beginning to fall.
The air is getting crisp.
And it is World Series time.
In honor of this most sacred ritual.
Here's a short baseball meditation for all the fans.
This one's for you,
Dad.
Get into a comfortable seated position.
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath in through your nose,
Into your belly.
Pause.
And then exhale through your nose.
Make the exhale longer than the inhale.
Again.
Inhale into your belly.
And a long exhale through your nose.
Feel your body.
And be fully present in this moment.
Now picture yourself in the baseball stadium.
Smell the freshly cut grass,
And see the pattern moan into the outfield.
Hear the cheers of the crowd,
The laughing,
The joking.
See the kids with their miniature gloves,
Hoping to catch a foul ball.
Listen to the sound of the ball hitting the catcher's mitt as the pitcher warms up for the inning.
The umpire gets into position.
You take a deep breath and exhale it fully.
It's the beginning of the inning and it's your turn up at bat.
Feel the bat in your hands.
Roll your shoulders.
And make sure they're relaxed and loose.
And then take another deep breath.
And step into the box and up to the plate.
Picture yourself going through a regular batting stance and routine.
Do you dig your feet into the ground?
Do you take a couple of practice swings?
Settle in.
And look at the picture.
Watch the delivery.
See the ball coming toward you?
High and outside.
Ball one.
Bring your focus back to your body.
And reset your stance.
You are relaxed anticipation as the pitcher throws again.
It is a perfect pitch.
Your body feels easy and fluid.
You step and throw your hands at the ball.
The ball hits perfectly on the bat.
And as you finish your swing,
You know it's a home run.
You watch the ball go over the fence.
And then you see it turn into an orb of light.
It comes back.
And hovers over your head as you round the bases.
Then second.
Take a breath as you round third and look towards home.
When you step on home plate,
All your teammates are coming out to congratulate you.
You put both feet on home plate and turn around and face center field.
The ball of light that has been hovering above your head sinks into your heart.
Breathe in that light and joy.
And sense of accomplishment.
Inhale and focus on that light in your heart.
Then send it out to your teammates.
To the fans.
To everyone in the stadium.
Out into the city.
And out into the world.
Savor this perfect moment.
You can return here anytime you want.
Just close your eyes.
And picture the stadium.
This place of calm and joy.
Is entirely yours.
Now bring your focus back into your body.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Every time you watch a baseball game.
Think of that pure moment inside of you.
Of alignment.
Enjoy.
