Kimberly Call - Morning Rituals: How We Awaken

Morning Is...

The crest of new-fallen snow, bright in the sun, before any tracks have been laid

Grass shimmering with dew, before any steps have been taken

Smooth reflections on the surface of the lake, before waves set in

Us, in the morning, before the mind sets in...

What are you first conscious of upon awakening? What are your thoughts, feelings, state of mind, mood? What ambiance is there, what atmosphere? And with whom have you ever really discussed this topic? Have you even noticed this for yourself?

We start by noticing ourselves, first thing in the morning, as soon as we wake up. Where does our mind go to, habitually? Is there fear, worry, anxiety; anticipation of the workday ahead, to-do lists already forming? Or perhaps there are thoughts of happy expectation pulling us into the day. What just happened? We may be still under the blankets, yetour crest of new-fallen snow was just broken.

What if we determined to make these first tracks beautiful and inspiring, beneficial and wise?

Habits That Mint Gold

Choose what is right, and habit will render it agreeable.

- Epictetus, Ancient Greek Philosopher

Humans are creatures of habit, why not create some that will mint gold?

- Hafiz, 14 th Century Sufi Mystic Poe t

Our first thoughts affect our entire physiology; our emotional landscape is shaped in those first moments.

As we notice ourselves clearly in the morning - if it seems like the mind wants to race like a pack of wild horses in different directions - this morning practice will help tame and train the mind.

Sometimes the simplest things can be the most profound, so do not let the simplicity of this practice belie its power. It is also completely universal in appeal and completely non-denominational. Anyone of any belief or non-belief can use and benefit from this practice.

The basis is three simple steps that can be done in any order, and need only take a moment each, literally. More time spent in each will be beneficial as a meditative, contemplative practice. Each step is an opportunity to focus the mind, concentrate on just one topic and center deliberately in a thought and emotion that is beneficial.

However, we may notice initially that the mind resists, wants to stray; distract us. That is okay. With time, we will prevail, the good habit will take hold and the benefit will spread in unexpected ways, as good habits do. For some, this may come easily; for others, it may be more challenging. Everyone can succeed in this. It is a great adventure into the inner world.

Welcome to Morning Rituals...

Benefits of The Morning Rituals

The Morning Rituals form a platform over time that strengthen:

Self-discipline

Concentration

Ability to focus

Ability to contemplate

Will power

Centeredness

Clarity

Groundedness

Serenity

Good cheer

Good will towards self and others

Uplifted-ness

Refreshment

Commitment

Resolve

Love for all of life

Kindness towards ourselves and others

Vitality

Happiness

Inspiration

How This Book Came to Be

Inspiration from East to West

East

I walked up the flight of steps to my Indian friends apartment in Berkeley and was met by this sign on the front door:

Rejoice, give thanks for this day, for this is life, the very life of life.

In its brief course, lie all the vicissitudes of life.

The glory of action, the bliss of accomplishment.

Every day well lived, makes every yesterday a memory of joy,

And every tomorrow, a vision of hope.

Look therefore, well to this day.

- from the Sanskrit

What a greeting to have on ones door! I marveled. I had seen this quote many years ago, and had always loved it. My friend opened the door and ushered me in. The front room featured a small low table, covered with objects and a candle. She said this was her puja shrine, where she conducted her daily morning ritual. A few times I had called her in the morning, and discovered that this was not the time to call her, as she did her morning puja then, upon arising, before her shower, tea, breakfast, or answering the phone.

We ate homemade Indian lunch that day at her home - rice, dahl, her mothers lime pickle. A few colorful prints of Indian deities adorned the walls; the atmosphere was one of simplicity, purity, reverence.

She told me stories of growing up in Agra, India, village of the Taj Mahal, being raised by her grandfather, who practiced hours of Ayurvedic rituals in the morning. He would rise and go outdoors and practice yoga, singing, chanting, walking with friends, massaging the body with oil, and bathing. I felt the ancient wisdom carried down in those traditions as we spoke that day.

I decided to do a daily puja, to make one myself, to start simply, with a candle, in a shrine area, as she did.

West

In America, over two thousand years ago, the ancient culture we call the Mound Dwellers lived in North America and built ceremonial mounds filled with exquisite artifacts, beautiful copper masks, carvings, pearls, jewelry; objects of mysterious purpose and tradition. Most of these mounds were crushed and destroyed by European settlers. These cultures predated tribes we know today and were their ancestors; records of the ancient mound builders and dwellers of North America reach back 12,000 years. Only stories were carried down.

I heard a native people s elder tell of a story that was handed down. One was very important, and this one survived - that in the morning, the people believed that their chanting raised the sun. And so they rose and greeted the sun and raised it in a sacred way.

All cultures, East to West, heralded the sun, the morning, the new day.

This is the ancient heritage of Morning Rituals.

One Sunny Sunday Morning

One Sunday morning, in my sunlit kitchen, a friend and I were talking about life - so many things, as we often did - marine life, world history, baking bread; our usual eclectic mix.

Winter grass had grown long around the lawn furniture outside, like a green clover duvet thrown out into the spring sun. Vines trailed around the yard, unpruned. We mused.

I broached my idea of a book on morning ritual. We chatted about his mornings. What were they like? We realized this is a mostly unspoken topic in America. People dont talk about their mornings, not really. Books are written on every other topic, experts lecture on them, columns are written on them, interviews are conducted on them, journalists muse on them; workshops are delivered on them.