Coming back from vacation, I realize that my time at home is more nourishing than my time away. When I am home, finding my middle ground is part of my daily life. My life is structured around yoga and teaching and there are many opportunities to become fully present in the moment.
I love to travel, but it draws me to the external world of planning, exploring, and tending to things and others. Its hard to be present when you are on the go. There is also less time or space to be alone and practice yoga and meditation.
Looking back at the photographs, there are several photos of me, sitting and looking out.
I wonder “What was I thinking?”
Moments of quiet solitude in the middle of activity are so precious. It is simply an opportunity to pause and appreciate the moment. To breathe in the air and tune into the senses. To be a witness to this place and time, without anything more.
I wasn’t thinking at all.
This was my true yoga practice.
“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded Consciousness. Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.”
~ Patanjali
Find Your Middle Ground 
I’m with you, Val ~> when I’m traveling, life is about “going” and “doing.” In contrast, when I’m home, I enjoy moments of just being. Aah . . .
Love this quote:
“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded Consciousness. Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.”
~ Patanjali
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Aah … I hear you Nancy. Thank you 💕
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I love vacations but there is something more peaceful about being at home.
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There’s a balance here between stimulus and peace. May we all find what’s right for our well being 💛 thanks Kate 🙏
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There’s really no place like home when you need to relax your mind. ❤
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Vacations are often overrated 💕 thanks Jill 🙏
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I travel often, Val and I always enjoy coming home and being home.
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So true. Thank you Dan 💛
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I haven’t travelled overseas for close to 40 years (except for 4-5 interstate weekend trips), but your image reminds me of one taken of me sitting on a rock in the moors of Scotland in 1978 and I wonder what I was thinking at the time. There were no trees in sight, just low heather moors and a narrow winding road.
I was always ‘travelling’ non stop each day in my youth, but now, I have the time and personal space, (not working and being single), of being in the moment and practicing Mindfulness every day.
Both worked for me.
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At different stages in our lives, we find what nourishes our souls. Fond memories of the past, and appreciation of the present are good places to be in. Thanks Vicki 💛
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My mind is the quietest in the garden – how I love to sit back, look up, then realize the protracted inner silence I’ve been enjoying. 🙂 No mind stillness!
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No mind stillness in nature is such a nourishing space to be in. Thanks Eliza 💛
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Yes, Val, going away makes one appreciate coming home and being home more because home is not only where the heart is but the spirit and the equanimity of being.
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Equanimity of being … that’s it John. Thank you and hugs to you 💛
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I enjoy traveling, and being away, makes coming home all the more sweeter. Thanks for your post and quote. ♡
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Yes, I’ve always traveled but care less about it these days. Cities and airports are way overstimulating. Getting out in the countryside or by the ocean is the goal, and such a lifesaver! Glad you’re home safe and sound. Aloha 🌺
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Yoga basically means ‘yoke’. It is about establishing awareness of ‘you’ and the ‘all’ or universal self (atman). Once establishment is made a certain awareness remains that creates motivation from that point onwards towards this singular goal.
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Beautifully said Eddie. Thank you 🙏
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Perhaps that is why traveling has become less and less appealing to me. Grounding in a quiet space feeds me…🙏🏻💕
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I hear you, Val. I always said the best part of the trip is the homecoming!
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Smiling … and nodding. Thanks Jennifer 😊
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I love this line, Val, which (deliberately?) neatly puns on presence and going: ‘Its hard to be present when you are on the go.’ Odd, isn’t it, that being ‘on the go’ is somehow lauded, almost as if being present, as if not always going, were some deficiency of purpose? H ❤
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Thank you for noticing this Hariod. It did make me smile to write the words.
I realized how difficult it is for most people in their busyness to become present. Being on the go is not for me these days 😉
I hope life is treating you well 💛
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I agree Val. I love to travel, but short trips tend to be packed with “go, go, go” and seldom offer an opportunity to pause. This summer I hope to take a long trip again, like last fall, where I have some quiet “me” time. Love the picture of you on the beach, it’s peaceful and contemplative.
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Thank you Helen for sharing here. 💛 I am off to Kripalu tomorrow for a training and also “me” time. Not so much a retreat as learning and playing 😊
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Have a wonderful time of renewal, Val!
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Renewal! I love that. Thanks Helen 💕
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I love travelling but I prefer to enjoy the experience at a very slow level: not to hurry up. Your post is a good advice for everyone!
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Thank you I’d for joining in the conversation 💛
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Beautiful!
Namaste
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Thanks so much Lorrie for joining me in this middle ground pause 🙏
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