savasana rising

the past two days, my private practice sessions have ended in savasanas of pure bliss, and those savasanas themselves, have ended in blissful visions of nature. My savasana normally consists of gentle music, feeling my body sinking lovingly into the mat (the floor is your reliable partner :), random thoughts and visions fleeting through my mind, slipping into a gentle trance of emptiness... seconds, minutes, or hours later, something happens, and my body's response is to draw in a deeeeeeeeeeep breath, followed by a loooooooooooong exhale, open my eyes, and see what the world has brought me for a present.

Yesterdays present was the sound of a thousand bird laughing. I rose slowly, and was amaze to see that my entire front yard was completely covered with sparrows. Excitedly and without thought, I ran out the door and into the yard, where suddenly all at once every bird there lifted off and squaked loudly. For a moment the entire sky was black with the silouhettes of birds in flight and the sounds of natural alarm. It was exquisite! I thanked the Goddess and smiled as I entered the rest of the day.

Today was a slightly shorter practice (45 minutes or so), yet my savasana was so perfect, right in a large pool of sun coming in the tall dining room window. Again slipped into a deep trance of void / emptiness / black... this time is was not sound, but rather touch, that awakened me. Still in deep relaxation, eyes closed, I gradually came aware of a moist, cool, rough surface on the tips of my fingers. Seconds later, I realised I was being licked. As I opened my eyes, the puppy licks moved up my forearm, to my inner elbow, then bicep. A little basset hound puppy was there! I had to laugh, and at that, she went for my ears.

These are the presents of savasana. Practice makes perfect!