Little Hiker

Here is a photo that Karen took last Sunday while hiking the Seven Sisters. Sasha is so dark that she is almost hard to see against my black pants and jacket. We are back in the city and starting the usual routine. It is so hard to leave her at home in her crate when her only diversion during the day is a mid-day walk with Jen, her puppy sitter. She does not seem to object -- is always content when I leave in the morning and arrive in the evening.

It's a regular week for me, working through Thursday. Mark spent the weekend in New Jersey. He goes once a month -- to visit his dad who is in failing health -- brutal drive after working all week -- and got home last night.

Tonight I have an interview with my meditation teacher Narayan. I get in to see her every 3-4 months. As soon as I finish one, I sign up for another. You get just 20 minutes each time. It is a blessing to spend time with a spiritual teacher so I try to use the precious time wisely. It has occurred to me that perhaps I should just sit quietly in meditation with her -- maybe to receive a transmission? But I usually talk about practice specifically and life in general. At my last interview she asked if doing the metta phrases has become too wordy, a distraction in itself. That was such an intuitive question, as I realized that in fact she was right on. So since then I've been "just sitting" and watching my crazy mind. I've also been practicing more walking meditation. Last week in class she asked us all to practice lying down. I love doing that!