This morning I began the day by sitting silently for about 30 minutes. I didn’t do anything except sit – didn’t rush here and there getting ready for the day, didn’t fix the coffee, didn’t start itemizing all the things I needed to get done today. I simply sat in the rocking chair in the living room. I had lit a few candles, and their flames were glowing and wavering in the morning darkness. The room was quiet, but not silent. Now and then a car would pass outside, the refrigerator would gurgle or hum, a drop of water would plunk in the bathroom sink. I just kept sitting. Lots of thoughts passed through my mind, and I tried to just observe them and let them pass away, sort of like clouds in the sky. I felt my chest rising and falling as breath came in and went out, over and over for 30 peaceful minutes.