Wow! Today and tomorrow will be the last 2 days before we return to the chattering world. We were told to start meditating all day long, not just during the sitting sessions. Meditate while walking, bathing, taking breaks, having meals … Be aware of our sensations at all times.

As I walked around the meadows deep in my meditation, I took another pathway and ended up at a small lake. Try to imagine all this happening at barely 7:00am of a beautiful new day. A frail layer of mist rises from the middle of the lake, and slowly, tranquilly floats on the surface, caressing the water without disturbing its sleep.

I walked around the lake, took the least beaten path, and arrived at an unused camp site. My little heaven on earth. I contemplated the reflections of the trees and the clouds and couldn’t tell apart reality from illusion. This sanctuary is a mini-Yosemite with boulders and tall trees, mirror lake and cascading creeks. How do I describe my mental state… Peaceful? Serene? As if a wave of nothingness has invaded me, yet I am engulfed in everything.

I did another load of laundry, hung them out in the sun, and went into my morning meditation session. By the time the session is over ( 3 hours later), the clothes are dried. Life is very basic. Yet functional. I can see myself living in a commune. My brother said I’m too liberal and too hippy. I would need a laptop, and internet though …

The lesson we got today is to live with awareness and equanimity. Aware of our sensations. If an event or a word triggers your emotions, notice the sensation felt, observe it arising, and watch it pass. Sensation is impermanent by nature. It comes, and it goes; but one needs to maintain the equilibrium of her mind, so her reactions can be full of love and compassion.

As long as one possesses that knowledge, she’s as free as a bird. There was a story of a woman accusing Buddha of having misbehaved conducts with her. Buddha felt no anger and replied: “you know the truth of your words. And I know the truth of my words.” That is equanimity, a state of mental or emotional stability or composure arising from a deep awareness and acceptance of the present moment.

Today has been a very hot day. There was no breeze through the meadows. The trees stood still. You can see I’m now very aware of basic things. My sources of entertainment are things that I notice during my walks. The clouds lingering in the blue sky. The standalone and the clumped together oak trees. The squirrels chasing each other up the branches. The line of huge ants traversing my path. The black butterflies with red-tipped wings fluttering around me. The clothes on the clothesline dancing in the wind. Simple things in the life of a woman who yearns to live simple in a very complicated world …