Inner  Frontier
Fourth Way Spiritual Practice

 

Inner Work


For the week of October 20, 2008

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Showering Presence

Taking a shower, or a bath, steeps us in a riot of sensory impressions, mainly touch and sound. But because our body and the motor centers of our brain are so accustomed to showering or bathing, the whole process typically goes by rote, without our inner presence. We relax and disappear into the habitual process and only later notice that we are done. This presents yet another opportunity to bring the light of presence into a semi-conscious part of our life.

We begin our work on showering/bathing presence through contact with the sensory experience. Feel the touch of the faucet as you open it. Hear the sounds of the water flowing. Feel the water on your skin. Feel the shampoo on your hands and hair, the soap on your hands and skin. Feel the movement of your hands on your soapy hair and skin. Feel and hear the water rinsing off the soap. Sense the touch of the faucet as you close it. Be aware of the texture of the towel, the sensations and movements of drying off.

Throughout all this activity and sensory awareness, be there, be the one who is showering or bathing, the one who is aware in each moment of the event. Being aware is one thing. Being the one who is aware, the one who wills your actions, directs your awareness and experiences your experience, is another and deeper movement — a movement toward our Self, toward our Source. From that one, you can truly say: “I am showering, I am bathing.”

For this week, practice being present while showering or bathing.


     

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