a shower
One of my favorite places to be is the shower. I close the shower curtain behind me and close out the world. It sometimes feels like the only place where I am myself and alone. No email, no phone calls, no pulling from the rest of the world.
When I am in the shower, I brainstorm and think and think and think and sing and meditate and chant and let the hot water beat against my back and stretch and sometimes sob and remember and try to forget and think some more. I also, sometimes, allow myself to let go and simply breathe…to simply be present in the moment with the water streaming over all of me.
This afternoon, I found myself thinking about my yoga class tonight; thinking about the intention I want to bring to the class. My thoughts turned to chanting and I suddenly started chanting to Ganesh. A mantra chant to the elephant god who is the destroyer of obstacles and represented by Om. The sounds swirled around me as I chanted a bit louder with each repetition. My thoughts shifted a bit and it was as though I was chanting this for all the people I know. Then as I continued, louder, sound vibrating off the walls of the shower, it was as though I was chanting for the world. As I lifted my arms above my head, this chant that creates space in my body and helps me tap into hope and determination became a chant to create these things for the world.
The coolness of the water moved we away from my focused singing, and I slowly quieted my voice. I picked up the soap and turned it around and around, between my pruned fingers, until the suds were thick. I soaped up my body with the intention of cleansing anything that came up during my chant. Then I let the water rinse it all away.
An unusual shower experience, but one that brought me out of my head and into a new, peaceful space.
take a breath
Reader Comments (9)
What an amazing story, Liz. I love being in the shower too. The water has a way of washing away more than just the dirt. The rhythm of the water beating onto my skin seems comforting, like rocking in an old rocker. The water seems like a "cone of silence" that immediately allows me to focus on the things that are deep in my heart--as you said, no other distractions, so I get a lot of problem solving done in a short amount of time.
I love when you share about your chanting. I may have to go back and search for the posts where you've posted audio files for guidance. Your voice is so soothing.
I've had similar experiences and felt whatever it was that needed letting go rinse away. You've written so beautifully about this - it could become a meditation, a practice.
some of my best thoughts happen in the water. which is why i wish for a water-proof white board or something like that, so i can write down my deep thoughts (snort!) because my memory is crap. (=
Due to a bathroom remodel, we have been living without a shower for a while now, just baths--which I use as sacred "decompression" space every single night. This story was beautiful...
--D.--
What a neat post! I feel the same way about the shower...I like a bath, but something about the running water is even better for me. The washing away.I like to do it in the dark, even better... This post brings up an old memory for me, of a moment I needed to wash an event away. Funny how that happens in blogs.
I will give it to you, and let it be part of your chant.
:)
Liz, you sprinkled a little bit of your magic on the world. What a wonderful contribution towards healing and perpetuating peace and love. I hope that every person felt a touch of your love in these moments.
Thank you for sharing these moving moments with us.
xoxox
this is wonderful. you described your experience so vividly...i can only imagine how cathartic it was for you.
thank you so much for the energy you give to the world every day, liz. i KNOW it changes lives.
namaste.
As you know my former cute little house had a HUGE minus- the shower was in the basement. I LOVE being in my new place partly because I don't have to go underground to take a shower! I just got some wonderful holiday time only Cranberry bath stuff from the Body Shop- a must try! and the holiday Cranberry Shimmer lotion too-superb! Come visit me soon and we shall go shower gel shopping!
Sounds like a very cleansing experience ( no pun intended). I pray and create in the shower. I have bathtb crayons in there with me so sometimes by the time I get out, the walls are covered in thoughts, plans, ideas, and inspiration...