MEDITATION WITH KIM
Practices
Practice belongs in the middle of ordinary life, not apart from it.
Begin with three mindful breaths
Sit in a way that lets you be alert and at ease. Feel your feet or seat meeting what is beneath you. After you settle your body, take one breath in and exhale. On your second breath, as you breathe in, feel the breath, and as you exhale, feel the breath as you release it into the room. Take one more breath in. And let that breath out. When the mind wanders, notice that you are thinking, then return to the breath.
Begin small. Let the practice grow at a pace your life can hold.
Take a mindful walk
Choose a safe place to walk, like a sidewalk, a park path, or a trail away from traffic, and stay aware of your surroundings the whole time. If you can, walk with a partner. You each do the practice on your own, in silence, but side by side, so someone is there with you.
Before you start walking, stand still for a moment and take three slow breaths so you can feel your feet on the ground. Then begin walking a little slower than usual, with your arms loose and your eyes soft but open. Bring your attention to your feet: the heel touching down, the weight rolling forward, the toes pushing off.
When you’re ready, let your attention widen to what’s around you, like the air on your skin, the sounds near and far, and the colors and shapes in front of you. You don’t have to name anything or think about it. Just notice. Your mind will wander to your to-do list, a conversation, or a worry, and that’s normal. When you notice it’s happened, go easy on yourself and bring your attention back to the next step.
Keep going for five to ten minutes. At the end, stop, take one more breath, and notice how your body feels compared to when you started.
The practice library
The practice library is under construction. Guided meditations, reflection prompts, mindful walking practices, and seasonal additions will be gathered here for people who want a simple place to return.
Practice in community
The year-round Meditation with Mercy Book Club meets once a week for eight weeks at a time, with a Wednesday-evening online section and a Saturday-morning in-person section in West Houston.