The phrase “I have arrived, I am home” is one used by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen master and my meditation teacher of many years.  With it he reminds us to see that every breath and every step and every action that we do with our full presence is a coming home.  We come home to our true selves.

As introverts it is physiologically necessary for us to spend time with ourselves – disengaged from all the external stimulation.  Yet not everyone knows how to be alone and comfortable at the same time. 

This was true for me when I was in my early 30’s.  I had graduated from the University of Vermont with my doctorate in social psychology and moved to California for work.  From the outside I was the definition of success.  Yet internally I experienced an underlying low grade uneasiness being on my own.  When I came home from work and didn’t have a voice mail to answer or plans with friends I didn’t know what to do with myself.  Though I needed alone time I hadn’t learned how to be with myself and enjoy it.
Then I moved to DC and made a new friend with Meredith who taught me how to meditate.  I sat on a cushion (or in a chair or laid down), and practiced conscious breathing.  Breathing in I feel my in breath in my body.  Breathing out I feel my out breath in my body.  Every time my mind wandered off of the breath (which was every few breaths because the mind is designed to think) I would gently bring my mind’s attention back to my breathing.  This simple act was profound for me.  I had been searching for most of my life for something to complete me, make me happy, bring me peace.  I was searching externally for something out there when all along it was right here.  It was me. I had arrived.  I was home.

How good it has felt ever since!

Stay tuned for more on how to do meditation.