Dear friends,
Welcome to this meditation which is designed to help you make use of water as a means of finding a place of calm and a place of flexibility in your life.
If possible,
I encourage you to set up a room or a corner of a room or a chair as a place for regular,
Quiet meditation.
You need very little to furnish this space.
You will find that less is more in your little meditation set-up.
I suggest having a statue or an image of the Buddha or Jesus or some inspirational figure of your choice.
Maybe a simple flower,
An incense holder.
I caution against using a live candle but if you decide to use a candle you know to take extra special care.
You might like to have a picture of a loved one and you might like to dedicate your meditation for the day to that loved one.
Whatever you select,
You will find it helps to keep it simple.
For today's exercise I ask you to place on the table in front of you a simple unadorned glass filled with drinking water.
And when you are ready,
Let us begin.
This is a reflection on water from Thich Nhat Hanh.
It's called Turning on the Water.
Water comes from high mountain sources.
Water runs deep in the earth.
Miraculously water comes to us and sustains all life.
My gratitude is filled to the brim.
So let us begin our reflection by taking a few moments to become aware of our existence in the here and in the now.
Feet on the ground,
Back straight although not rigid.
Whatever posture you find comfortable.
Notice your body.
Become aware of your breathing in and your breathing out.
And notice the short gap between each in-breath and each out-breath.
Notice any feeling of tension.
Is there any physical or mental tension?
And see if by mindfully breathing in and out,
You can manage to relax that tension.
Remember that all is well in these few moments.
We have the time to do all we really want to do.
Take it easy.
Slow down.
Next draw your attention to the glass of water in front of you.
Notice its stillness.
And see if you can for a little while imitate that stillness.
Notice the peace of that stillness.
And see if you can rest in that peace.
We know that water has amazing power.
Harnessed,
It can turn turbines and generate electricity to power a city.
Unleashed,
The force of water can cause unimaginable destruction.
We are just like water.
With our energy harnessed we can accomplish great good.
With our energy out of control we are capable of the greatest possible destruction.
Let's reflect for a while on our water like power for good or ill.
And resolve to harness our energy for what is called the skillful way of life.
The good life.
It is possible.
Notice again the still water in the glass.
Notice how under the pearl of gravity water adapts to its container whatever the shape of the container.
Water is supremely flexible.
Can we imitate water in its flexibility when we are faced with unexpected changes in the shape of our lives?
Let's reflect for a while on how we might become more adaptable and more flexible.
Just like water.
Finally,
Having observed the water before us and having gained inspiration from it as to how we can do better,
Let's take a sip of this life-giving water.
Essential to all life on earth.
Let's hold the glass in our hands.
Look at the water.
Appreciate the wonderful gift that is before us.
And give thanks for this stuff of life.
This water that connects all of humanity and every living thing that has ever lived on earth.
The closing thought.
May the gift of water remind us of the gifts which each of us brings to the world and to our community.
May it remind us to reflect with gratitude on the waters that nourished us before we were born.
May water continue to give us sustenance,
Energy and daily inspiration for our life's journey.
May we always thirst for justice and peace,
Just as we thirst for water.
Namaste.
