Mindfully to Walden Pond

Recently our Under 30 group went on an epic bike trip to Walden Pond and back, which was a good 40 mile trek! I love that we gather together outside of the Shambhala center for exciting trips, local events, social gatherings, and the like. Anyone is welcome to come along especially if they are new to the center. The beauty of it is we might find we are more likely to practice mindfulness in “the real world” while accompanied by our fellow Sangha members. While on the trip, I noticed some striking similarities between meditation and biking.

During Under 30, we practice a seemingly personal and inward act of meditation as a group, which actually brings us closer together in a profound way. On a bike, you can control your movements, your breath, your destination, and your speed (okay, unless you’re riding a tandem) and you can bike along with others.

Meditation requires sitting in a certain position on a cushion for a comfortable, strong, upright posture that opens the chest for breathing and our hearts to others. We rode our own bikes that are unique in many ways and specifically adjusted to our own bodies for good biking posture, adequate breathing, and leg extension. When we do not have good posture we are incapable of meditating or riding a bike efficiently and properly.

In Shamatha practice, we focus our attention on our natural breath. Sometimes it feels like hundreds of thoughts pop up and distract me. I don’t think about my body and my breath while my attentions are diverted to the more fantastical stories, dreams, worries, and plans in my head, but I notice that I am thinking. Then, I come back to my breath and I feel more relaxed. I found that during my ride I was equally susceptible to my wandering mind, but I was able to bring my mind back to my breath and keeping a strong posture. I felt more stable, alert, and resilient.

I can sense a feeling of gratitude among the Under 30 members to each other for coming once or every week, for meditation with each other, for sharing their experiences, and for listening to others. I do not think that meditation is easy and sometimes you just don’t want to do it even though you know you will benefit greatly from it. It is nice to know that there will be others there joining you in the practice, offering you support, understanding, and even friendship. Similarly, an epic bike adventure can be a physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing adventure. Although you can go it alone and still enjoy it, it means so much more knowing there are other people following the same route and sharing the experience with you. Both meditation and adventures can be great ways to strengthen friendships and start new ones!

I absolutely love to bike through the city in the sun, rain and cold. It makes me feel amazing and I know my body is getting stronger each week. I also have a deep emotional attachment to Lady (my bike). We go way back and have shared so much together. I have appreciated the great impact meditation has made on my biking practice, especially after this trip to Walden Pond. Please join us for our next bike trip and I encourage you to try some mindful cycling!