Dog walking as spiritual practice

"You can't book a date with enlightenment, it happens by accident." So said Buddhist Suzuki Roshi, as quoted by Jack Kornfield in a fantastic book I'm reading at the moment called, "After The Ecstasy, The Laundry'.

I've harnessed Bamba and we're on our daily walk.

I'm thinking about what my next blog post could be about, and that quote. I can't book a date with inspiration for a new blog post, but I really want to write something today, We're not in Roundhay Park because I have some local errands to run, so instead we're walking the pavements of local side streets. Not quite as inspirational as nature's kingdom in the park, but I'm still searching for something to write about.

The next part of the quote is, "... but regular spiritual practice can make you more accident prone."

I like that.

Perhaps my daily dog walk could become a practice to become more inspiration-prone.

I chuckle to myself, almost bumping into a young man walking in my direction.

Oh, it's George!

George lives locally and used to run the deli on the main road of our neighbourhood. Over the years, our paths have crossed and we have occasionally exchanged messages related to each others' projects (I used to run a social enterprise community cafe). We're not friends, and we're not strangers either. We're in between. No pretence at thinking our connection is anything beyond what it is. It's perfect as it is - a friendly stop and chat when we bump into each other, an occasional WhatsApp if there's something of mutual interest. No empty promises of 'oh we must arrange something' or forced get togethers that neither of us are interested in pursuing. We are local people, loosely connected, enjoying the little moments. It's perfect.

We had a little chat and I told him about this new blog project. I joked that I'd write about him then he'd have to take a read. So this one's for you George - I love our connection, I love that it strengthens my connection to our area and I love that it teaches me to enjoy the moment and not feel obliged or responsible for it to be any more, or any less than it is. Like so many things in life, it's perfect exactly as it is.