Begin by bringing your attention to your body, where you are at this very moment.
You may be on Middle Path, or another spot that combines architectural balance
and natural beauty. Look around you and take it all in, slowly and with intention,
as if you are seeing it for the very first time. Notice the rise and fall of
your chest with each breath as you inhale and exhale slowly. Play with
making the inhale and the exhale equal lengths. Notice the depth of your breath
and relax into it,
noting three cycles of slow, deep inhales followed by three slow exhales equal in
length to your inhale.
Pay attention to your feet, noticing that the ball of one foot hits the ground as
the heel of the other foot lifts to move you forward. Slow the pace of your steps
so that you're conscious of the lift and the fall of each foot. Feel the interplay
between the surface of the ground, the gravel, the grass or snow, and attend to
how your steps interact with it. Observe the foliage, sky, beautiful sculptures and
the buildings that hold inquisitive minds and committed professors. Feel the
energy of the interaction between the natural world and the quest to improve
and understand our place within it. Feel the freedom of inquiry and discovery
that Gambier holds, as you become Middle Path, rather than simply a human being
upon Middle Path. Become one with that which surrounds you
and that which is within you, aware of the interplay between them.
Appreciate the gift of these moments of freedom — immersion into what is beautiful
and holds such potential. In the process of becoming Middle Path, you have opened
this potential, wherever your Middle Path is on a daily basis. See the beauty of
your everyday journey, noticing your breath, your body, the cadence of emotions
and reactions to the natural wonders around you. Take a deep breath in
and release, relaxed and refreshed, knowing Middle
Path is always available to you.