Some like to keep their practice exactly the same day to day. Same focus (breath or sacred word), same time, same place, same cushion, same bell, same incense. I find that routine can ease the path into a relaxed but alert state of awareness.
I also appreciate variety in my practice. I change the focus often: sometimes it’s my breath, sometimes sounds, sometimes body sensations, sometimes it’s the Coming Homephrases described in our book.
A few days ago, I experienced a vivid and warm experience of physical security and comfort, as if being held in a warm embrace. It felt like a sleepy child cradled by its mother or resting in its head on its father’s shoulder. It’s the state evoked by Julian of Norwich’s words, “…All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
So today, I tried something new. I tried to use the embrace as my focus. I recalled the experience and tried to stay with it. This was kinesthetic for me. I recalled how my body felt. When my mind wandered as it always does, I returned to the kinesthetic feeling. I tried to do this without thinking, without describing the experience. I wanted to stay beyond words.
Slowly some words emerged: enfolded, safe, free. I slowly savored the experience and the words.
I’ve found a new focus for myself. One that can help me discover “Home” along a kinesthetic path.