I Got the Message!
It was the day before I was set to travel to Phoenix for a week. As you can imagine, I had a lot to do before I left. Thankfully, it was also my yoga day, so that morning I rolled out my mat in my living room and started my 90-minute practice.
With so much swirling in my head, I knew my yoga practice would bring me back to center. It would help me focus on my breath and, therefore, the present moment.
As is typical, I ended my practice in Savasana, just lying on my back and letting my body integrate the stretching and strengthening that had just taken place. I usually put on meditation music to help me relax and zone out.
I’m not great at meditation, but post-yoga is when I am most able to dip into the space between thoughts.
But not that day.
My mind was busy. Thoughts of what still needed my attention before my trip were coming fast and furious. About five minutes into that not-so-restful, monkey-mind Savasana, something jolted me back to the present moment.
The very loud cry of a hawk.
And it was close!
I’d heard this magnificent bird’s call before, but from a distance—flying high above my neighborhood or perched in a far-off treetop. But this call came from outside my open window, only a few feet from my head.
I know this isn’t what happened, but it sounded like the hawk swooped down, poked its head through my window, and let out a cry directly into my apartment. It scared the heck out of me!
And then I had to laugh. I knew exactly what it meant.
In Native American teachings, Hawk is a messenger. The shrillness of Hawk’s cry pierces the state of unawareness and asks you to pay attention. Life is sending you a signal. Apparently, that hawk wanted me to stop running through my mental checklist and come back to the present moment. And it worked!
For the next 10 minutes, I did my best to lie there and focus on my breath, not my to-do list. I am certain that coming back to center was far more beneficial than expending more mental energy trying to remember everything I needed to do before my trip.
An image that has helped me over the years is the eye of a hurricane. In the center, there is calm. There is stillness. But as I move out toward the edges, things begin to swirl and feel chaotic and out of control.
When I’m grounded in the center, I make much better choices. I see more clearly what truly needs my attention.
Thank you, Hawk. Thank you, Spirit. I definitely needed that loud and clear message.
Could you use support in returning to peace during these chaotic times? It would be my great honor to assist you in finding your way back to the eye of the storm…whatever that storm may be for you…through a series of Spiritual Coaching Sessions or a private Family Constellations Session. You can learn more about these healing opportunities or book a session on my website.
Until next time, may you recognize and welcome the messengers in all their forms that guide you back to peace.
A tranquil mind is not a little gift.
A Course in Miracles ~ M-20.4:8