She nodded. "Good. Get comfortable and close your eyes." He obeyed. She wasn't sure she could do the same.
Stop this. Sitting there with his eyes closed, he looked too beautiful to be real. Constance took a moment to center herself, find a quiet spot. Then she returned to the lesson.
"In order to get your mind in the now, let's start with something you have right now, in the present moment. You have your body. Let's start with one part of it-let's start with your feet. Feel your feet. Focus all of your energy on your feet. Concentrate and observe everything about your feet, how they feel, your socks, your shoes, the floor. Stay focused, and keep on observing."
After a few seconds, Nick chuckled. "My feet are tingling."
"Yes! That's good. You're in touch with your feet. Now feel your seat-where it touches the chair. . ."
It took less time before Nick smiled. "Now my butt is tingling, too. This is weird."
"That tingling shows you are in a state of sensation and are entering a meditative state. You can move this tingling about your body, and you can even expand it to your entire body at once.
"Keep concentrating on your body-use it to push thoughts of the past and the future out of your head. Your body is miraculous in so many ways. It breathes for you and pumps your blood and has such complexity that doctors still don't understand it all. Appreciate every breath." She waited patiently while he settled and experienced. When she sensed that he was calm, she went on.
"Someone broke into your home and planted incriminating evidence. Visualize yourself watching this happen. But if you get agitated in any way, return to your body." She waited for him.
"Now imagine yourself learning more about this person. Their name, their face. . ." She waited again. "You're going to catch this person, Nick. It is going to happen. See it, believe it. Imagine that you found the evidence and you're free from jail." She paused to let this notion sink in.
"Now, let it go. Forget about it. The intention has been set. Open your eyes." She sat back and waited for him to look at her.
Nick's face mirrored the confusion that was probably raging in his head. He twisted his lips into a frown. "I didn't see anything. Sorry."
"You weren't supposed to. This meditation was just about creating the intention. Over the next few days, do not think about this person anymore. Instead, think only about yourself. Your body. Your spirit. The respect and support you have in this community. Spend as much time as you can in the now. When you're not meditating, try to pay attention to the sensation of joy and let it guide you. It will not steer you wrong. When I see you next, you can tell me how it's going."