The theme of my recent teleclass with the Consciousness Collaborative was how to have an inner awareness, while at the same time being aware of the outer world.  Most of us feel that in order to go “in” we must somehow protect that special state by closing our eyes or in some other way shut out the outside world.  We may feel that when we come “out” somehow “in” goes away.  I think the issue is that we need to shorten the commute between in and out, or find a way of holding both simultaneously.

Start with the breath.  That is our 24/7 experience of in and out.  Always available, pretty reliable, seldom conscious.  By bringing a consciousness to the breath, we can begin to enjoy an easy flow between in and out.  Focus on the sensation of bringing air in  – not forcing, no deep breathing necessary – just allow the breath to enter.  Then release the breath out.  Feel the outside world coming in, and then the inside world of your body moving out.

So to have an immediate in and out experience, close your eyes and (softly) focus on the breathing.  Now open your eyes (gently) and continue to feel your breathing while seeing what is around you.  Close your eyes, then open them.  Cross that in/out threshhold a few times.  Is your commute shorter?  Can you taste the inner and the outer simultaneously?  Can you think of other ways to do that?