The Mountain as my Meditation
Las montañas de San Lorenzo de Escorial, Madrid
One Sunday, I rose early and caught the 8 a.m. bus to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a mountain town outside Madrid. As I looked around, I couldn’t help but smile at the people my age just returning home after a wild Saturday night in the city.
I’ve always loved rising early. It feels like I have an entire stretch of the day just for myself, a secret pocket of time before the world wakes up. It is the spring in Madrid, and as the weather warms, the days grow longer and the sun is up early with me when I rise.
That morning, I set out for the mountains to escape the heat of the day. Madrid, nestled near the Sierra de Guadarrama range, is essentially a mountain city. Since moving to Spain, these mountains have become my place to rest and reset when I need a break from the big city.
An essential part of my self-care routine is spending time alone. To know ourselves more intimately, I believe we need moments to unplug and enjoy our own company.
One of my favorite ways to do that is by immersing myself in nature. Life in Madrid is inspiring and fulfilling, but sometimes, I crave quiet and stillness.
After a peaceful bus ride through the green countryside, I arrived in San Lorenzo, a town with a fascinating history — home to an impressive monastery that once housed Spanish royalty.
I made my way up the cobbled streets to the trailhead. Under the trees, I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, smiling softly.
I am here, I reminded myself, slipping off my headphones and tucking my phone into my bag. As I climbed the mountain, I recalled walking meditations I’d practiced at a monastery in France, bringing mindful attention to each step.
The forest was alive with the sound of water rushing from the snowmelt and birds singing in the trees - crescendos of tiny voices singing with joy for the spring. In Madrid, I often listen to music as I walk the streets of the city, but here, I was struck by the beautiful music of the forest.
When my mind wandered, I gently brought my awareness back to my breath, just as I remind my yoga students to do during classes. I noticed the wildflowers of all colors sprouting up amongst the striking green of the forest - each a beautiful work of art. At one point, a deer crossed the path ahead, vanishing silently into the undergrowth. I was struck by the peaceful life of this creature of the forest - spending every day beneath the trees listening to the wind and birdsong.
The trail took me through steep, rocky sections, sunlit meadows, and, near the summit, groves of slender pine trees that had an incredible earthy smell.
At the top, I emerged onto a rocky ridge. The sky was perfectly clear, and from that vantage point, I could see for miles — the green land stretched below, the monastery and town looking tiny, and, far in the distance, the faint outline of Madrid’s skyline.
Looking out at the countryside and monastery from the top of the mountain.
Standing there, I felt a shift in perspective. My worries, which had felt so pressing in the city, now seemed small against the vastness and tranquility of the mountains.
Taking time to ground ourselves in the present moment is essential, I think. It allows us to return to our daily lives with greater clarity, presence, and peace. For me, that morning in the mountains was a much-needed reminder — one I carried back with me as I descended the ridge, ready to step mindfully back into life below.
