Intention as Transportation

I've been riding the bus a lot lately and it's beginning to turn into more than just a means to get to work.

The route I ride has it's own set of consistant passengers. There are students, business associates and casual commuters. While I have been known to take my opportunity in the early mornings to get an extra 45 minutes or so of "sleep" on the ride in to work I've also been taking my opportunity to observe people. People who really have no choice but to sit still and wait patiently for their stop.

I'm surprised by the number of riders who aren't obsessively on their phones or sending text messages. For the most part, they seem content to sit and watch the scenary roll by and, sometimes, the sun come up as we start our day in quiet.

One particular rider chooses to take his morning opportunity to mediate. I'm fascinated by him because I know that I don't quite have the gumption to openly and publicly meditate. I also don't have all the focus necessary to mediate through the dinging of stop requests, the lurching and swaying of the bus, etc. The people may be quiet but the bus sure isn't!

It's a really beautiful way to start a morning, though. And, it's just another example of how people can adapt their busy schedules and carve out that moment in Time and Space for themselves. I'm sure that he struggles internally with all the same things that most meditators struggle with but from the exterior he looks calm and serene. He doesn't fidget, twitch or give up. He just sits up straight and enjoys the ride to work lost (I imagine) in the quiet space of his mind and the moment.

I may be over-romanticising but it certainly looks like a beautiful way to spend a morning.

What do you do to take a moment for yourself during the day? Have you found a space where you can take a breath and get caught up in the present?

I am finding that even though I don't do any sort of traditional meditation on the ride in to work, the ride itself can be calming and relaxing. I don't have to worry about traffic or driving or how expensive gas is getting. I just sit back and let someone else do the work. And, I get to take that hour and nap, read, enjoy my coffee, whatever it is.

Now if they'd just let me bring some incense on the bus, I'd be set!

I'm going to leave you all with a thought from my Yoga instructor. He said that we have to strive to find our Truth and that one way of doing so is to think of ourselves and internally unfolding. He suggested visualizing a flower or, more creative and perhaps appropriate, a piece of Origami that is being unfolded from its shape to reveal a different beauty and structure.