I had an intriguing experience last week. Since the weather has turned warmer, I have moved my yoga time to the afternoon. I now do my routine on the back porch in the sun. It is delightful.
While doing my routine one day, I was listening to some meditation music; the sun warmed me and the wind caressed me. I was extremely relaxed and at peace. A little over half way through my routine the UPS man drove up. He beeped the horn to get my attention. I got up to greet him, and as I did I had this overwhelming urge to hug him! I was filled with love for him. I was actually moving toward him to hug him when my rational mind kicked in just in time. Instead of hugging him, I greeted him with warmth, and we exchanged causal pleasantries.
After he drove off, I began to think about what had just happened and why. It occurs to me that as I came off the yoga mat, my ego and defenses were down; I was in an expansive place–more fully aligned with my true self than normal. It really was an overwhelming sense of love and openness that I felt for this virtual stranger. I began to wonder if this is our true state. It was only when my rational mind kicked in that I was able to pull back a bit from that feeling. I suppose it was “appropriate” that I didn’t hug him, but what if I had? Maybe he needed a hug. What if I hadn’t pulled back from that place of expansiveness?
What if I felt that kind of spontaneous love for everyone I met? How would my life be different? How would my openness impact those around me? It was actually a wonderful feeling though a tad disconcerting. And I know that it’s possible to be that expansive. That possibility is one of the very reasons that I meditate.
Have you had such spontaneous love moments? What were the circumstances? What was your state of mind? What do you make of it?
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