I walked into The Ark in downtown Ann Arbor with my 15 year-old daughter on a blustery December day. It had been 20 years since I’d climbed the stairs to enter this intimate, earthy venue for live folk music. A lifetime ago I volunteered for The Ark, ushering people to their seats and then sitting back with carefree satisfaction to munch popcorn and enjoy the show. Today, we are not here to listen to music but rather to listen inwardly. “Mindful City” is hosting their weekly free noon-time meditations here at the Ark.
Mindful City is the heart-mind child of Lynn Sipher. The idea came to her while doing an exercise at a workshop with a partner who repeatedly asked her “What’s possible?” After answering that same question a few times, the words “Mindful City!” popped out of her mouth. Though Lynn had been involved with individual mindfulness practice for some time, the idea of a “mindful city” surprised her, seemingly to appear “out of nowhere.”
Lynn noted that the words came along with a rush of excitement, as well as a sense of “stick,” unlike other ideas that come and go with little impact. Fueled by this observation and energy, she took action. Lynn brought the idea to her community of mindfulness practitioners (Ann Arbor Center for Mindfulness) and simply asked, “Anybody want to help?”
Several people came forward, including Claire Weiner, who masterfully led the meditation today. Only six months since the idea arose and after very little PR, Lynn and Claire are surprised by how many people attend each week. Today, there are about a dozen of us, half new to meditation and half grateful for a place to practice in community.
During my post-meditation interview with Lynn and Claire, I hear about these early months of “Mindful City” and then I ask, “What is emerging from here?” Lynn shares that “something pretty special” is happening. She notes that Mindful City is already growing beyond noon-time meditations by way of “connections and synchronicity or just ‘flukes,’ call it what you will.” She tells me that “Mindfulness and Racial Justice” workshops are in the making in collaboration with Ann Arbor’s Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice. Other collaborations for mindful living are arising with ease and synchronicity.
Lynn and Claire smile and describe “Mindful City” as a life-giving adventure.
Reflections
It seems to me that life speaks to us and through us in many ways, e.g. through vision, metaphor, emotion, and “felt sense.” I wonder what life would be like if we slowed down and listened more deeply and more often to what’s underneath our busy lives and busy minds. What might you hear or notice?
Five Steps from Idea to Reality
Lynn did brilliant stuff to get from idea to reality. Here are 5 steps to consider:
- Be willing to be surprised (Be open)
- Notice your inner response to the idea (Notice inside)
- If your mind and body say “yes!,” take a step forward (Act)
- Ask for help (Community)
- Keep going (Commitment)
Which step would you like to practice more often?
Note: We’d like to acknowledge and thank the Ark in Ann Arbor for their role in nourishing this initiative. In particular, the Executive Director of The Ark, Marianne James, for making it possible for the group to meet there and the staff who help with lights, doors, etc!
Thanks to Pixabay: https://pixabay.com for the free high-quality image.