In This Now

And - NOW - it is that the practice begins.

And - in this NOW - is this practice.

And - in this practice - is the NOW.

And - here I am. I am here. Again and again - I begin.

Day after day - I've returned. These unexpected winter swans have captivated my attention. They join together....and they come apart. They appear to speak their own silent language....that only - they - understand.

Their long necks - dance. Up and down and in and out and round and round.

A beautiful white sangha. A community of like-minded practitioners. Today - I imagined - I could hear the sound of their breath. I could definitely see it in the frigid morning air.

Inhaling and exhaling. Rising and releasing. Steady. Even. Balanced. Rhythmic. Flowing. Gracefully moving into a state of utter still.

Again - I was reminded that the true prize is in the practice...the magic is in the showing-up...the reward is in the pose.

And - NOW - it is that it begins.