The indivisible ever-presence of consciousness
Iread somewhere that every once in a while, we should sit quietly and bring awareness about environment into our consciousness. It’s like having all the five senses on high alert. Concentrate on sound, smell, touch, sight to the optimum, which I guess means to push all our problems, real and imagined, to the back of the mind and experience the “now” moment. It sounded different, so I decided to try it.
Close to my house is a park where people of all ages come. Two walking tracks run around the periphery. Plants are in abundance and there is enough space to sit, practice yoga, play, gossip and exercise in the open gym, while the music playing Hindi songs of the 60s and 70s keeps everyone entertained. I entered the park, looked around, and savoured the sight of people in various forms of activity. Then I started my “exercise” of tuning in. I began to walk, concentrating mainly on the plants. I have never noticed the bounty of nature so closely before. The trees and the greens washed clean by the previous day’s rain, seemed to be dancing in the gentle breeze, exuding joy. The hues of leaves were soothing to the eyes.
Having done that, I sat on one of the benches in the middle of the park and closed my eyes. Turning the auditory full on, I heard the joyous shouting of the children playing, the murmur of the elders conversing as they sat and exchanged the happenings of their lives. Gradually, I could hear the animated talk of those walking fast, matching the talk with the pace of the walk. The thud of running feet and the slow gait of those walking could both be discerned. The music plays and as I turn my attention to it, I realise that the selection of songs was judicious, medium paced, allowing each one to follow their thoughts and conversation effortlessly.
I sat thus for some time enjoying different sounds around me and then let my consciousness move to my sensory area. There was an intermittent breeze caressing my skin, bringing relief from the monsoon sultriness, moving into my awareness the feeling of both coolness and sticky discomfort.
Accompanying the flow of air wafted both pleasant and unpleasant smells of the plants, perfumes some people were wearing and even the unpleasant smell of perspiration from some. An occasional smell of foodstuff tingled the senses, probably from houses of people living close by.
Still in that state of awareness, I shifted my focus on myself. The ceaseless activity of the thoughts had slowed down, and amidst all the plethora of activities, a silent energy had flowed into me, rejuvenating and energising. Slowly bringing my consciousness back to the present, I made my way out of the park. Still in a trance with a feeling of tranquillity around and within me, I made my way back home, ready to face everything that awaited me.
I SAT IN THE PARK FOR SOME TIME ENJOYING DIFFERENT SOUNDS AROUND ME AND THEN LET MY CONSCIOUSNESS MOVE TO MY SENSORY AREA