I've had a glass of wine, and listened to a contemplative improvise jazz on the flugelhorn as I sat in front of a blazing fire. It was exquisite.
I'm at a conference on contemplative practices in Kalamazoo, MI. This morning I gave a talk - without the scientist's usual crutch of slides (we used slides even before PowerPoint!). I had meant to get up for yoga at 7, then have breakfast before the session began at 9. Instead, I slept through the alarm, woke up at 8:37 to a cloudy, dark morning. I actually checked both my watch and my cell phone, I couldn't quite believe the alarm clock in my room. I had time for a quick shower...and grabbed my paper and went.
Thankfully the session began with 30 minutes of silent meditation. By the time I had to speak, I was sufficiently settled to speak slowly and coherently. The talk went very well...
Fasting and meditation are not my usual preparation for giving a paper, but maybe they should be.
"I actually checked both my watch and my cell phone, I couldn't quite believe the alarm clock in my room."
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, welcome to Michigan. :)
(I remember waking up to sunlight one December morning, and knowing instantly -- because it was light -- that I could not possibly leave for the airport in time for my 9 am plane. !)