Walk Until Something Winks at You
A contemplative stroll through spring and the wisdom of discernment
Hi friends,
It’s Roam day! The part of Bodhisavage where we get hands-on with a creative-contemplative prompt to explore the theme of the month.
Last week, we looked at what it means to let go of what we love, not by numbing or detaching, but by being fully present with the moment and letting it pass.
This is the heart of the Wisdom of Discernment: the ability to recognize the beauty of something fleeting without needing to own it.
Thích Nhất Hạnh wrote,
“When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?”
That doesn’t just apply to people. It applies to spring flowers, morning light, birdsong. The world doesn’t need to be captured and possessed to be fully encountered. It just needs us to show up with open hands.
So this week, let’s take our cue from Thay, and take our practice outside…
Prompt: What Wants to Be Seen
Go for a slow, aimless walk. No destination. No agenda. No playlist. Just your breath, your feet, and the world around you.
Let yourself be open to whatever appears: a new bloom, a rusted mailbox, a pink plastic flamingo tied to a fence (what I came across on my morning stroll, lol).
And then, try this simple gatha (walking poem), from Thích Nhất Hạnh:
Breathing in, I see the beauty of this moment.
Breathing out, I let it go.
That’s it. No photos. No note-to-self. Just presence without possession.
The more we’re fully here for what’s already passing, the more the world comes alive. So let’s see what winks at us on our walk through the Wisdom of Discernment🚶🏽♀️
If you want to take this deeper, join me for the Moonlit Sit next week—same theme, more space to explore.
❤️ Lama Tasha
🗓 DATE: Saturday, April 12, 2025
🕗 TIME: 8-9pm EST
📍LOCATION: Online (Zoom link emailed on registration)
TOPIC: Holding the Magic with an Open Hand
In this meditation, we let the wisdom of discernment and the truth of impermanence show us what is beautiful, fleeting, and alive, and practice holding it all with an open hand.
💛 DANA: This session is open to all on a donation basis. You can donate during registration or become a paid subscriber on Substack.
I had a moment of aversion to the graphic that suggests cherry blossoms when we still haven't seen the last of the snow in Calgary LOL but this was a great prompt. I just got back from a couple of days in the mountains, and I had 2 contemplative strolls -- same route, but very different experiences based on what the mind was doing! On one of them, I noticed blue sky and wind in the trees and happy people wandering along the same path, all "made of the same stuff". On the other, I initially noticed mud and cold air, and shrieking children and litter -- until I noted that, and was able to bring some more balance to my noting. Brains are hilarious!
Being.Here MINDFULNESS moment to. Moment reality now always not then all the levels of opening oneself with the possibilities to be engaged and self returning of what you reject denying the gifts that await you in the now
Your seminar is fantastic and I truly wish you blessings that will continue in your life's journey I would lobe to be a part of it but due to painful illness I must decline. My response was from one whose spirit rises with joy and covers the host and participates who need to unlock and free themselves from their selves b y awakening to all the delights of being in Now breathing in squinted by Now
I THANK YOU SORRY LONG TEXT AND MAY YOU AND THE participants GRAB THE JOY sincerely