“Many of us have been running all our lives. Practice stopping.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh.

I have always been a morning person, early to rise (also, early to bed!).  It has never been a challenge for me to be up with the roosters, or even (as they say in Jamaica) before ‘cock put on ‘im drawers’ (before the rooster gets dressed!).  In my teens, when I had to study for an exam, I preferred to get a good night’s rest first, then wake up when the house was quiet to do my studying.  Of course, I made it easier by sleeping with the textbook beneath my pillow – so the knowledge could diffuse into my brain!

I am currently in Jamaica, so memories are being triggered around every corner.  There is something about the sound of rain in Jamaica that is different.  Whether it is just the size of the raindrops (huge), or the sound of drumming on a zinc roof, but there is a message in the rhythm that tells you to sit and relax, you can’t go anywhere or do anything right now.  In my teens I spent a year in an English school, in Birmingham, and had to adjust to both a different kind of rain (soft, gentle, yet persistent) and a different mindset.  In England life goes on despite the weather, so you had better be prepared.  Noone is accepting any excuses.  No ‘soon come’; no ‘no problem, man!’.  There were expectations, and a little thing like the unpredictable, bad-tempered weather should get in the way.

It was a great relief to go back to my island in the sun after that year away.  For, after all, lessons still got learned, knowledge was acquired and exams successfully passed, even when interrupted by those thunderstorms. 

There is something about Jamaica, especially when visiting (I can’t speak for those who live here year-round, since I only lived in Jamaica as a student, not as a working adult), that lends itself to ensuring that you live in the moment.  Mindfulness asks us to be aware of each moment, rather than pushing our thoughts forwards thinking of the ‘what-ifs’; or trying to look back and rewrite our personal history.  For there is much to tickle your senses in each moment.

Jamaica is a land of contrasts.  A ride to a secluded beach sounds like a slice of paradise, but it may take you (depending on the route you choose) along a winding road where pot-holes have to be dodged while facing oncoming traffic on the narrow roads.  The scenery may be verdant (due to those recent showers), but dotted with litter.  The people may be happy, hospitable, but they may be living in simply erected structures, eking out an existence. 

But the scenery.  It is said that the name Jamaica comes from the Amerindian name ‘Xaymaca’ which means land of wood and water.  The first known inhabitants of the island were Arawak Indians (the Taino) and some of the more aggressive Caribs.  Unfortunately, the first arriving Europeans (led by Columbus) managed to exterminate them all, whether through violence or the more subtle diseases which they brought with them.

On our ride this week up through Stony Hill (yes, the road is cut through stone in many places), we could see glimpses of the river (not sure which one!) as we traced its course through the hills.  In many places those hills were covered in grove upon grove of bamboo, arcing gracefully, lush and green.  I have no idea if anyone harvests them, some of those inclines were very steep. 

We stopped in one town to get some soup (yes, roadside vendors abound in Jamaica, especially when you avoid the Chinese built highways), opposite a police station painted a gleaming white and blue.  On one wall, a convincing painting of a policeman in traditional red-striped pants and white shirt points a radar gun at you.  Traffic fatalities are high in this country of tricky roads and drivers who are convinced of both their skill and their immortality.  While we waited it was quite hot, despite tall tress keeping the sun away from us, we were deafened by a chorus of cicadas. 

It is difficult to convey the beauty of the countryside, difficult also to absorb it while being distracted by the challenges of the drive.  We could see the river below, colored like the popular Jamaican drink Milo, an opaque brown, again due to the torrential rainfall in the mountains above.  We first wound up and around the surrounding hills, then down the other side, the river flowing quickly over huge rocks and boulders, splashing white in the distance.  Little villages looked the same as they had looked 40 years ago: brightly colored store fronts illustrated with art and advertisements; two story wooden structures about to collapse; unleashed dogs sniffing around overflowing garbage cans; churches of all denominations.

Yes, just like life, Jamaica is the full package, with all of the extremes that you can imagine.  Great natural beauty exists alongside ugly poverty.  Being here reminds me that we are invited to love life even though we know it ends in death.  It is a reminder to appreciate the diversity of the natural environment; the sounds of the birds; the array of colorful flowers; the taste of a well-cooked Jamaican meal (and all Jamaican meals are well-cooked); the aromas of those meals being prepared, with fresh skellion, thyme and scotch bonnet pepper; the sound of Jamaican music setting the air around you vibrating; all of these sensations remind you to stop, feel the moment, forget all but the present. In Jamaican parlance, to hold a medz (meditation).

This Friday morning as I write this, I am hearing the varied sound of the ‘petchary’ a songbird with a very wide variety of sounds, forcing me to be in the moment.  For those who wish to learn to practice mindfulness, it is good to remember that it begins with unconditional love for self, this allows you to let go of all thoughts of guilt, self-recrimination or regrets, so that you can get out of your head and be fully aware of your surroundings.  I hope that wherever you are, as you read this, you can stop, let go of all distracting thoughts, and appreciate the wonder of the present moment.

Have a wonderful weekend, Family!

One Love!

Namaste.