A Shawl

In many spiritual traditions people have covered their heads in prayer. Medieval monks had hooded robes. To be under the hood helped them to turn inward, to have custody of their eyes and ears. It encouraged them to keep their curiosity in check, to not wonder about another’s way and so be distracted from their own.

To not compare ourselves with others, to not envy or judge, or even to be curious, brings the mind back home to our own interiority. When the head is covered it may also tell others we are not to be disturbed...

...M E D I T A T I O N

A shawl can cover our shoulders and our heads.
Soft and familiar, it holds us
like a blessing. In it we know where we are.

Within its quiet embrace we can silence
our chattering minds. We can let go...

Taken from Simple ways by Gunilla Norris