GPS Meditation

Wow. I’ve just had my first experience with GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation. This is a pretty big deal for a person who has, for a lifetime, been somewhat geographically and directionally challenged.

Yesterday we went driving around town randomly choosing all possible alternatives to see where “Jill” would take us. As we played at having "Jill" take us to known locations, it made a lasting impression that in making wrong turns or choosing a different route than suggested by “Jill,” the GPS would immediately recalibrate and patiently give the coordinates for arriving safely at the destination.

It’s sometimes difficult to know exactly how to get where we are going. As we travel, we may need or want to make stops along the way; we may need to randomly choose a destination somewhere in the general direction of where we think we are going because we aren’t quite sure; plans may change; there may be roadwork or other delays ahead; we may want to try a road less traveled or forge our own new path; or, we may completely change our minds, in which case a U-turn is directed. It’s all okay. Select “Home” and what roads, turns, stops, or directions you choose simply become part of the fabric of your journey and the GPS navigation will recalibrate so you eventually make it there no matter what other choices you make along the way.

The practice of meditation can serve as the GPS navigation for our lives. If we stop, check in, and recalibrate each day, we can stop worrying about all the little twists and wrong turns; stop looking backward and forward; stop doubting and regretting; stop ignoring the side road trips we need to try; stop fretting over which way to turn or exactly which route to take; stop feeling lost.We can set the GPS navigation for “Home,” relax and enjoy the drive.

As Sting sings: “Let your soul be your pilot.”