try watching clouds

This is one of those very enjoyable things to try. And I always like meditations which are enjoyable. One wants to do them anyway, whether or not some great insight comes from the meditation.

So how to set about watching clouds? First, it's nice to pick a nice warm, sunny day. But obviously you need a few clouds in the sky. A totally overcast day will not be so good. And a clear blue sky without a cloud in sight would make things difficult. It's also nice if there's a gentle breeze.

So having woken up one day, one sunny summer's day, with a few clouds dotted around, and a gentle breeze, go out into the countryside, away from the noise of towns, away from busy roads, and find a quiet place, a place to lie down. You might like to have a picnic first. And then, just lie down on your back, and gaze up at the sky; so simple. And bring your attention to the clouds: watch them.

Watch them with a curiosity, as if you want to learn their secrets, as if you want to know them intimately. And whilst trying this meditation, you might like to play with the idea that you are a cloud; floating in the sky; being blown along by the breeze; not deciding where you are going or where you have come from. And playing with this idea, watch how the clouds move: drifting around, changing shape, never the same from one minute to the next.

And sometimes you will see that two clouds merge together into one. Or the opposite might happen: one cloud might fragment into many. And this is the way we are. We are not such clear cut individuals as we like to think. There's a lot of merging and mingling going on between people.

And if you look into yourself, you will see that your personality is often fragmenting. You are one person when you are with your lover; and another person when you are with your friend; yet another in the office; and another when you are with your parents. We have many personalities – just as a cloud, can become many clouds.

But the part I like most about watching clouds is when you see one getting smaller and smaller, until it finally disappears completely. And this to me is symbolic of our ego. It seems so solid and real. And yet, it too can disappear. And who are you then, if you were but a cloud of the ego?

So try it: try watching clouds.