Listening… I know you would think after the previous entry that I would be listening to the “voices.” Actually for some amazing reason at the cabin this past weekend all of them were unusually quiet.   I guess if anything the “Mind Voice” did the most talking as it was keenly aware that the others were suspiciously quiet.

 

What I found I was listening to was the “quiet,” which actually didn’t exist. Instead it was unbelievably peaceful to lay nice and relaxed and just listen to the sounds of nature.   I for the first time in my life actually appreciated what it must be like to lay on a hammock. Unfortunately I had to squeeze myself onto a small porch swing but over all I was pretty comfortable and as Jea worked on a project inside, I laid there on the swing for quite a while and just listened to the sounds; the wind in the trees, the birds, squirrels running around and bees zipping by.

 

After a long while I know I was completely lost or more accurately absorbed by sounds.   I felt nothing of myself; no hunger, no pains or aches, no itches, not even a heart beat. Just the amazing sounds of life all around! It was amazingly powerful and completely relaxing.   I’ve attempted meditation practices in the past and none of them were as easy and as long lasting as this. I know I didn’t nap although I was truly resting. I was completely aware of every moment and the best part nothing, no one disturbed me… not even the dogs.

 

The weekend went great. Again, as it turned out Jea and I were the only ones at the cabin this weekend as no one else seemed able to make it, for one reason or another. It was the first time we were ever there alone without friends or family.   No offense to anyone wanting to join us but both of us agreed that we needed to do it more often.

 

We hiked a lot as I took the dogs for several walks and Jea and I went for a small hike each day.   Additionally, we took the mats up and actually trained for about an hour on Saturday. We planned to do more but both got really caught up in just relaxing and enjoying the environment.

 

Jea pretty much fasted with me.   Now we might have “cheated” a little. Jea made two different soups that we blended to a nice creamed consistency. (No milk or cream was used though.) We had a sweet potato soup and a pea/vegetable soup.   Jea jumped off the fast as she cooked up some small scallops and added to hers. Boy, the smell was awesome!

 

Here’s why I think it was a cheat… for me anyway. She came back and lost 3 lbs over the 2 days.   Me, I actually gained a little as I came back weight 187. Now I did one other thing I have added Himalayan salt to my diet.   Reading the “Water Cure.”   The author (Dr. F. Batmanghelidj) explains how salt (pure salt like himalayan or sea salt) helps water do it’s job by helping the water molecule attach to the cells of the body.   (More complicated than I have time for.) However, salt does help us retain water, so I’m pretty sure I’m retaining more than I normally carry.

 

Regardless, the fast which is now not a strictly water fast. I am now working mostly on water and adding juices; fruits and vegetables juices towards the end of the day.

 

~Lawrence