A Walking Meditation

I started my walking meditation with some measure of disappointment.  My classmates were going to be walking down the trail to the waterfall and since I guessed that the trail might not prove to be flip-flop friendly I would be on my own.  After moments indecision I decided that I would perform the walking exercise on the grassy area between the Evens House and the FUM office.  I had not been at it for more than a few moments when I began to notice the unmistakable sensation of something crawling over me.  I looked down and saw a couple of ants on my legs and swiftly brushed them away.  No sooner than I had removed this pest I became aware of one of their friends moving about my neck.  I pulled him off me and tossed him none too gently to the side.  I decided to make a hasty retreat and leave abandon the ground to the ants.

At this point I elected to cross the parking lot and move onto the grassy area north of the parking area When I was walking along in the parking area I noted that weeds, grass and other such life seemed to poke its head through the asphalt in search of the light and life despite the fact that its seeds and life giving roots we buried, unseen beneath the blacktop. I took note of the way that life pushes through adversity and life promoting growth takes place regardless of the difficulties that are places in its path.

As I was enjoying this insight in a moment of clarity I was surprised by the sound of a growling dog…then two.  I looked up from my contemplation and saw two muscular young boxers eying me with some ferocity.  I looked them both square in the eye and began to back away slowly.  They advanced, alternatively looking at me and each other.  They appeared quite young and each seemed to need the other to embolden themselves to action.

I backed away and they advanced after me.  As  turned to head away from them they would surge towards me is short bursts.  When I turned to face them again they would halt and continue advancing further as I backed away.  The matched my movements step by step just as their kind is wont to do.

I realized that I would not be able to escape this predicament without them overtaking me unless I walked backwards all the way back to Evens House, and being unwilling to do so, I elected to turn about, step out lively and make good my escape.  I did so and moved away with haste.  They both moved in unison and were nipping at my feet in no time.  I moved faster and so did they.  Finally I began to run and put a little distance betwixt me and my canine oppressors.

One of the little fellows lost interest in me and went back towards the direction that he had come from.  The other eyed me and continued barking but, kept looking over his shoulder in the direction that his friend had gone.  I stopped, stared him right in the eye and after a few moments he turned away and moved of in the direction of his friend.