Moving Meditation

When most people think of meditation, I’m sure they think of sitting still in a quiet room with your eyes closed. And there are times when I enjoy doing that. It’s part of why I do yoga, to help me find quiet and center. But if I really want to clear my thoughts, sort through them and make sense of them, sitting still doesn’t quite do it for me the same way running does.

I’ve also been trying to figure out what the difference between working out inside and outside is for me. Because there is a difference. I hate, dread, despise running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. It’s so pointless. You don’t get anywhere. You don’t see anything. That’s exercise.

But when I’m outside, it’s not exercise. It’s not a chore to be crossed off some to-do list. It’s pausing. It’s reflecting. It’s recharging. It’s refreshing. It’s calming. It really is my meditation.

And yes, I figured that out on my 3 mile run through the streets tonight.