I had an interesting awakening of sorts earlier this week. It occurred as I sat down to meditate in my usual spot at home and closed my eyelids, imagining them to be blankets gently covering my eyes as I brought focus to my inner experience.

It’s been cold, rainy and very gray for most of April and into May—longer than usual, it has felt to me, at least. Yet, as I sat down to meditate a few days ago, the sun was boldly shining in the sky above, with beautiful rays of warm light sparkling into my home. Immediately upon closing my eyes, I felt encompassed by an orange-soaked warmth that entered the inner atmosphere of my mind.

This warmth and light filled me with an almost indescribable peace, and I felt transfixed. As I began to meditate, I noticed myself leaning further into the shining sun, deepening the experience. However, almost as quickly, I noticed myself shrinking back a bit. 

To my great surprise (and somewhat dismay), I became aware that I was struggling to fully receive, welcome and absorb the gorgeous gift of light and warmth offered by the loving sun. It was, I realized, a bit more than I could actually sustain. 

That moment was an eye-opener! Abandoning my normal meditation practice to investivage, thoughts flooded in quickly about how many other times I have pulled back, even slightly, when good is happening. There have been many, many times! I also reflected on the many times that I redirected my attention elsewhere when good is bursting forth, rather than to really bring in and be with the good that is all around.

Following this eye-opening realization and contemplation, I brought myself back into the sun-filled warmth, giving myself full permission to dip in again. And, this time, staying longer in a meditation on receiving, basking in the warmth and goodness of that beautiful spring sun. 

I smile as I write this, fully understanding now why cats and dogs always find that spot in the house where the sun is shining. They always do it!  Unlike us humans, cats and dogs generally aren’t preoccupied by busy-ness, going-somewhere, or what is coming next. And,  perhaps they don’t struggle with habits of the mind, such as a sense of “not good enough.” Rather, they envelop themselves in the safety of right-here-ness, taking great pleasure and joy in relishing in the bone-deep, penetrative experience of that orange-yellow fireball that enters the body and warmly emcompasses the mind, body and heart.

I also now fully understand why the flowers open wide and keep opening and spreading their petals, as they stretch tall and root deeply so as to take in all that the sun has to give. 

We can be like the flowers too. And the animals. All we need to do is give ourselves permission to receive, welcome and absorb that which comes so readily, so easily, so kindly.   And, when we do this—in an inner meditation of receiving, or out in the world—we allow ourselves to be filled with the loving warmth of what’s already here, right now.

Much of our work—it seems to me, especially given the current circumstances of the world—is to deepen in the glory of the moment that we are currently in. The sun shines every day (well most days), and we have the choice to pause our busy selves, even if just for a few moments, to draw in a loving warmth that penetrates our souls, no matter what our current lives are holding.  

Just for a moment… take in the good.  

Just for a moment… be with the good that is already here.

I invite you to try out this simple meditation for receiving practice for yourself and play with it. After fully receiving the goodness and warmth of the sun, try doing the same as you focus on the beauty of your partner’s face, the colorful plate of food you’re about to eat, or the smell of the shampoo you use every day. To practice opening to joy, I invite you to listen to the RAIN for Savoring Joy meditation.

This is what awakening to the goodness that is all around us looks like! And, you, me and we can explore, deepen, widen and expand this simple, yet profound practice everyday. Encourage yourself, believing that you are deserving of such joy, for you are.  

Invite yourself into what’s here for you right now and see what happens! Personally, I was transported to a deeper experience of awe and love. I wonder what will be experienced by you… 

In closing, I’ll leave you with a beautiful poem by Mary Oliver to sit with as you discover and receive the good that abounds. 

Praying

By Mary Oliver

It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.