Landed on a tropical island: Just sit

Els van Wijlen has been living for more than 30 years with her husband 'de Kuuk' in a small village in Brabant. In 2006 they visited Thailand for the first time. If possible, they go on holiday there twice a year. Their favorite island is Koh Phangan, which feels like coming home. Her son Robin has opened a coffee cafe on Koh Phangan.

Sit quietly…

There I go. With a pillow in hand, I step resolutely on my flip-flops towards the sea. Searching for dog turds and green snakes in the tall grass.

I reach the beach safely, it is low tide and the sun is shining. The conditions are ideal as it is early and very quiet. I look for a place between some washed-up coral, a plastic bag (take it with you later, it can be cleaned up) and a dot of indefinable matter, teeming with small critters.

Yes. there is a good place. Reverently I put down the pillow and I bow down. So, I'm sitting. It just has to happen. I grab my cell phone and look up the app. Downloaded on the recommendation of my Iranian girlfriend. She, like me, is rather practical, but says that I should at least try. And because I think so too, and because I've kept putting it off, I'm already very pleased with myself, because I'm just sitting here, on my pillow in public…

It's actually not for me and the first time I tried it at home on my balcony with a view of the sea. It doesn't take longer than 10 minutes. After 6 minutes the Kuuk came home, and then I suddenly had to stop.

That's why early this morning, after my morning ritual (so I'm not going to talk about that at all), I walk to the beach with my pillow to try it there.

Well here we go. I open the app; lesson 1. A slightly bran male voice explains to me in English what the intention is and how nice it will be for me. I have to sit down relaxed.
-I should have dragged the lounger here with me- And breathe in and out calmly, stare slightly at a point in the distance and close your eyes very slowly.

The moment my bran friend allows me to focus more on the ambient sounds, barking dogs come by and play tag, sand lands on my back and in my freshly washed hair.

A longtail boat starts its crackling engine and sails away.

Breath in, breath out….
Everything is fine, don't change anything, don't judge anything.
Breath in, breath out….
Thoughts shoot in all directions, I do my best. I breathe in and out a party that makes you sick.

And then the lesson is over. Well that didn't matter. My first meditation session is over and I'm still just me. After 10 minutes in cross-legged position, I get up stiff and slightly creaking. Satisfied, I walk home with the pillow in hand.
There I find the Kuuk snoring loudly in bed.
Breath in Groarrrggggghhhhhh- breath out ZZzzzzzzzzpffffffffffff…