Finding refuge

Recently I was sent a copy of Rick Hanson’s new book ‘Buddha’s Brain’ to review. It’s one of the best books I’ve read.

In one of the chapters, Rick talks about finding refuge. When I was a child I spent hours absorbed in novels, climbing trees and floating in a swimming pool or the sea. As a teenager, I listened to music with the headphones on, wrote in a journal, walked along ocean beaches and continued to read.

These days I read and write and walk along the beach. As well as these things I’ll often spend a Sunday afternoon cooking, still with the music on but without the headphones (they’re not always practical in the kitchen). I meditate and occasionally get out in the garden.

These are my places of refuge. The places that I retreat to that fill me back up.

Find a place of refuge and make time to escape there even for just a small amount of time every day.