The Three Hill Walk
I did a "three hill walk" tonight at sundown. I live in a neighborhood that’s unusual for these parts – it has hills. There are three streets that go up that hill, and I walked all three of them tonight. Fast. I got up a bit of a sweat. Despite the glow I achieved, it was an Everyday Mystic walk. Even though I’ve walked that route countless times, tonight I walked those hills like I’ve never walked them before – with beginner’s mind and new eyes.
This afternoon, a summer thunderstorm blew in, dumped lots of rain but blew out the humidity and dropped the temperature significantly. Tonight was a magic night – unusually cool for June, but warm enough to envelope a sundown walker in a wrap of summer evening-ness. As I walked, my senses were alert. I noticed that I couldn’t hear any traffic noise – which can’t be said for the mornings, when I usually walk those hills. What I heard were two airplanes flying overhead, one dog barking and the constant sound of my feet walking – per-thum, per-thum, in 2/4 time, accented by an occasional skreek when my shoe scraped the pavement. And then – oh my! – there were the cicadas in the trees, with their rhythmic drone. I noticed the music of one band of cicadas fade out as I walked away from their trees; then I would hear another band grow louder as I walked toward them. It reminded me of going to a parade and hearing five bands march by, spaced out over the length of the parade. Every now and then I heard a tree frog’s quiet squeak-squeak. I stopped to put my hand in a stream of water coming from an irrigation sprinkler. I was surprised at how warm the water felt. I nearly swooned as my nose caught an intoxicating waft of perfume from a nearby honeysuckle bush.
Exercise is a great way to get in touch with our bodies and our connection to something greater than ourselves, if we pay attention to the moment. I enjoy going to the gym to get my exercise, but sometimes it feels like a microwave experience – quick, efficient but devoid of true flavor or aroma. That’s why I enjoy walking so much. If I remember to 1) go alone and 2) be aware as I walk, I can be present to the sites and sounds around me and to the wonder of my body as it propels me through space.
I recommend an Everyday Mystic walk to you, especially after a busy or stressful day. Open your senses – see, hear, feel and touch what is around you. Feel the stress drain from your body. Appreciate your feet as they carry you on your journey. Be in the moment. Be grateful. Feel alive.
