I am loving the Fall weather right now and really savouring the season.

With a quick drive, I can be right in the woods, surrounded by nature and grateful for hikes that bring me something beautiful and different with each visit.

Last week, I was walking down a trail when two deer crossed my path. I stopped in awe, getting to see these gentle beauties close by. Then there were three deer, then four.

I observed how my body instantly softened and my heart opened. I was still and had a soft gaze so as not to scare them.

This all happened automatically without effort or trying.

I was aware that I was aware. In mindfulness, we call this meta-awareness.

It reminded me of how we can approach observing ourselves as we go about our day:

Observe and be attentive with a kind, gentle gaze.

It requires focus and also a softness. Relaxed and alert.

In my meditations I apply this same principle of being alert, paying attention with a soft gaze, rather than an intense focusing.

This is also known as ‘friendly attending’.

When I first started meditating, it was very different. I was intense about everything. I wanted to have the perfect meditations.

I treated my thoughts like intruders or enemies. There was a lot of forcing and very little equanimity.

Not surprisingly, I quite often had headaches or tension in my head.

Luckily my teacher at the time asked me if I was being aggressive with my thoughts. It was then I realized that yes, I was.

So, I began to take a different approach.

When I started to relax, the tension fell away and created more space to experience my true essence.

What if our mindfulness practice was one of passion and perseverance, with a gentleness and kindness towards ourselves, our thoughts, and feelings - just as if we were gazing at a deer running through the woods?

Where to start?

Doing mindful check-ins in simple ways.

Set the intention to notice your body and body parts. Maybe your body feels - light, solid, open, tight, heavy, tingly, still.
Be curious. Think about how curious a baby is about his or her body.

The more we notice, the more there is to notice.

The more present we become, and the deeper our connection to essence.

This has been my experience, and this week, I invite you to explore this a bit. Remember, keep it simple and gentle.

Notice your thoughts and feelings with a tenderness and soft gaze you might have with a small child, friend, pet, deer.

Try this:

Right now, take a deep breath and think to yourself…

‘Kind, Gentle, Gaze.’

Breathe in these words allowing them to penetrate every cell of your being.

Exhale.

Sit in silence.

What are you noticing in your body?

Be patient.

No rush.

Just as if you were gazing at a deer in the woods.

You can repeat the words ‘Kind, Gentle, Gaze.’

And continue to observe.

Diane, this journey isn’t a race to the finish line. There is no finish line.

Each moment is new and fresh, and when we approach the journey one moment at a time, we are building our capacity to observe ourselves while deepening our connection to the Truth.

With loving kindness,

Diane