Quieting the Mind

Quieting the Mind
            Blossoms fluttering in the breeze. Cloud-speckled sky reflected in a pond. A split path beckoning in two directions.
            Focusing on those simple things can clear away the clattering clutter in our heads.
            During my years living in Japan, finding a quiet moment to still the mind became a genuine necessity. City life meant crowded trains, crowded streets, hustle and bustle on every front: work, shopping, even leisure time. Stress—from outside, and from within.
            Quiet places to escape the stressful cacophony are more easily found outdoors, but I learned in Japan to find my Zen moments anywhere. A small, second story window in a rattletrap apartment, too high to see out, provided the sound of a nearby bamboo tree swaying in the breeze. I still miss gazing up at the moving shadow of that bamboo tree, and the calming moments it offered.
            But still, given the choice, I go outdoors to find mind-stilling spaces. The calming force of nature is also one of the best medicines I offer my special needs son. 
            Not every outing has to be a long hike. Finding a place to stop and contemplate falling flower petals can be just as reenergizing.
            This week’s Hike Notes introduce a Japanese Tea Garden Stroll, an easy walk through the garden paths of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 56: Japanese Tea Garden Stroll