The Heartbeat of Presence

This morning, I decided to try something different. Inspired by a book I'm currently reading - "The Power of Now", I embarked on an experiment of deep presence during my run. The book suggests focusing on a part of our body as a practice of presence, not to observe but to actually be in. I chose my heart - the literal beating center of my being.

I laid in bed last night practicing this as per the book's guidance. I relaxed, focused on my heart, and something extraordinary happened. It felt as though I was not just observing my heartbeat, but existing within it. It was a uniquely fulfilling experience, a profound connection with myself that I had never consciously pursued before.

As I ran back from school drop this morning, I tried to replicate the feeling. I focused my entire attention on the rhythm of my heart. It was as if I could perceive the energy within me, pulsating through my veins with every heartbeat.

Maybe because I was running, It wasn't a particularly difficult task to concentrate on my heartbeat, but maintaining that focus was. I managed to stay with the feeling only for a minute before my mind began to wander, lost in the awe of the experience and back into thinking.

Yet, that minute felt like a lifetime. It brought me a sense of peace and clarity. The noise of the outside world faded away, leaving only the calm certainty of my existence in that moment. It was a state of calm that brought with it a sense of balance, setting the stage for the rest of my day.

As I grow older, running has become less about the distance covered or the speed achieved. It has become more about the connection, the love affair with moving forward, and the appreciation of how incredible this life is.