Walking into Stillness: Ruislip Lido, Aug 6th.

I had been with the previous Walk in Richmond Park, so I knew what to expect...I was picked up by Anil (co-organiser) in his car from Ruislip station and we met Nisha (co-organiser) and Bharat and Roberta at the meeting place - a small car park in Ruislip woods. Soon Sujata and her daughters Tejal and Nehal arrived. We greeted each other (for the last 5 mentioned people it was their first Walk ) and Anil gave an outline of the day plan.

We crossed over a busy road and in a circle Anil gave some suggestions of how to move (a slow walk step by step with mindfulness) and of what to be aware (the feet contacting the ground ). A bell to begin.

Once the freshness of the situation and the process had settled down, I began to feel at home (as a long time 5 rhythm dancer) with my body awareness. I was surprised again at how physically tiring slow walking on uneven ground can be .

I did not look at the time during the walk. Perhaps after 45 minutes I noticed my interest in the British countryside was very busy, I was marvelling at the beauty of patches of tiny tree seedlings (holly, birch). I remembered Anil suggesting not to become involved with the environment. I decided to practice my usual meditation process and expand my awareness into perception of the whole space without specific focus. A sense of contacting the life and consciousness of the world.

We came to a clearing and formed a circle and sat in silence for a good while. I felt well in tune for this. The middle distance mature trees were vibrating with life. Here and now.

Nisha then guided a process to contact Nature. I was ready for this. Then an invitation to really involve with the growing things there. I hugged an oak, felt it bending in the breeze, noticed for the first time how the pattern of the bark is similar to the grain of oak furniture.

Then a sharing round the circle of each persons experience of the day. A sense of closeness to people who were "strangers" a couple of hours before.

Then a relaxed walk to the Lido for sharing food. There was a magic yellow flower on the way which was seriously studied:"is it real " ? (it was).

Good conversation whilst sharing food: quite serious about what amount of time is sensible for meditation.



The weather had been just right all day, it felt idyllic to be picnicing with many other groups of people around.

The walk back to the car park was normal walking, a slightly longer route, some different textures of woodland; with people talking, becoming acquainted.

At the car park a warm closing circle and aurevoirs. Tejal and Sujata drove Bharat and I to Ruislip station for the train .





Thank you 'Nisha and Anil for this nurturing event . Thank you Bharat, Nehal, Roberta, Sujata and Tejal for being there.

With love from James.