Paris, the City of Light, offers more than just architectural marvels and culinary delights. Beneath its bustling exterior lies a tapestry of tranquil spaces perfect for meditation and mindfulness. As I embark on this three-week journey, I invite you to join me in discovering how Paris can become a sanctuary for inner peace and spiritual growth.
This first week, I'm focusing on three fundamental aspects of meditation: breathing, gratitude, and being present. Each day, I visit a different location that naturally evokes these qualities, allowing the city itself to become my meditation teacher.
Luxembourg Gardens: The Art of Breathing
The serene Luxembourg Gardens with its vibrant flowerbeds - a perfect setting for breath-focused meditation
My journey begins at the Luxembourg Gardens, where the harmonious blend of formal French and relaxed English landscaping creates a perfect setting for breath-focused meditation. As I settle onto a green metal chair facing the grand palace, I'm struck by how the gardens themselves seem to breathe—expanding with visitors during sunny moments, contracting into intimate spaces when clouds pass overhead.
The meditation practice here is simple yet profound: I synchronize my breath with the gentle rhythm of the environment. Inhaling, I notice the sweet scent of roses and freshly cut grass. Exhaling, I release the tension of travel and transition.
What makes this location special is the juxtaposition of structure and freedom. The meticulously arranged flower beds remind me of the discipline required in meditation, while the wandering pathways echo the mind's natural tendency to explore. This balance helps me establish a breathing pattern that is both intentional and effortless.
As children sail miniature boats in the central fountain, I'm reminded of my adult son and his wife who visited these same gardens during their honeymoon years ago. He had shared stories of how they would spend hours here, watching the boats and planning their future together. His tips about finding the perfect spot—"not too close to the palace, where it gets crowded, but near enough to hear the fountain"—prove invaluable. I send him a quick message of gratitude for his guidance, connecting our experiences across time.
Luxembourg Gardens Breathing Practice
Find a comfortable seat on one of the garden chairs, preferably facing an open area.
Begin with three deep breaths, inhaling through your nose for a count of four, holding briefly, then exhaling through your mouth for a count of six.
Transition to natural breathing, but maintain awareness of each inhale and exhale.
As you breathe in, mentally note something beautiful you can see in the gardens.
As you breathe out, release any thoughts about past or future.
Continue for 10-15 minutes, allowing the rhythm of the gardens to guide your breath.
After practicing, I spend time journaling about how the structured breathing created a sense of stability that allowed me to fully appreciate the beauty around me. I note how my breath became deeper and more relaxed as I continued, mirroring the expansive feeling of the gardens themselves.
Canal Saint-Martin: Cultivating Gratitude
The picturesque Seine with its elegant bridge and historic architecture - a perfect place to cultivate gratitude
The next day takes me to the waterways of Paris, where locals gather along the banks to picnic, read, and connect. The gentle flow provides a perfect metaphor for gratitude—a continuous stream of appreciation for life's gifts, both large and small.
Sitting on a bench beneath a plane tree, I watch as a tour boat navigates through one of the canal's old locks. The process is methodical: gates close, water levels change, gates open, and the journey continues. It strikes me as a beautiful parallel to how gratitude works—we pause, acknowledge what we have, and then move forward with renewed perspective.
My gratitude practice here focuses on the people who enrich my life. I think of my dog Tobi waiting for me back home, his unconditional love and enthusiasm. I reflect on my son and his wife, their support of my Paris adventure, and the joy they bring to my life. I feel grateful for my best girlfriend traveling with me, whose laughter and companionship make this journey so special, and for our generous Parisian host who has opened his home to us. My thoughts extend to my friends in Oregon who I visited before this trip, and to the supportive man in my life who encouraged me to take this spiritual journey.
As I sit by the water, I decide to purchase postcards to send to each of these important people, a tangible expression of the gratitude I'm cultivating here.
Canal Saint-Martin Gratitude Practice
Find a comfortable spot along the water where you can observe its flow.
Begin with centered breathing, placing one hand on your heart and one on your abdomen.
With each inhale, think of someone or something you're grateful for.
With each exhale, send appreciation to that person or thing.
Allow your gratitude to expand with each breath, moving from personal connections to broader aspects of life.
End by acknowledging the opportunity to be present in Paris at this moment.
In my journal, I note how focusing on gratitude shifted my experience of the waterway. What began as a pleasant but ordinary scene transformed into something profound—each person passing by, each ripple in the water, each leaf on the trees became a gift to be treasured rather than merely observed.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: Being Present
The Water Lily Pond sign surrounded by vibrant flowers - a reminder to be fully present with nature
My first week concludes at one of Paris's most beautiful green spaces. The lush vegetation and carefully tended gardens create an ideal setting for practicing presence. Unlike the more manicured formal gardens, this space has a wild, almost untamed quality that demands attention to the present moment.
Walking along the winding paths, I'm forced to be fully present—each step requires attention to the beauty surrounding me. This physical engagement with the environment naturally pulls my mind into the here and now.
At a particularly beautiful spot, I'm rewarded with a view that captures the essence of Parisian garden design. Rather than immediately reaching for my phone to capture the view, I challenge myself to first experience it fully with all my senses.
I notice the cool breeze against my skin, the distant sounds of children playing, the earthy scent of the surrounding plants, and the varied textures of stone, metal, and foliage beneath my fingertips. Only after this sensory inventory do I take a few photos to share with loved ones back home.
Presence Practice
Find a spot with a view, ideally near water or flowering plants.
Begin with a sensory scan, systematically noting what you can see, hear, smell, feel, and perhaps taste.
Focus on one sense at a time, spending about a minute with each.
When your mind wanders to past or future, gently bring it back to the sensory experience.
Expand your awareness to include all senses simultaneously, creating a complete experience of the present moment.
End by acknowledging that this precise moment in this precise place will never occur again.
In my journal entry that evening, I reflect on how the practice of presence transformed my experience of the park. Rather than merely "visiting" the garden, I felt I truly inhabited it, becoming part of its ecosystem for those precious hours. The memories I formed feel richer, more textured, and more vivid than typical tourist experiences.
Weekly Integration: Bringing It All Together
A street musician adds to the authentic Parisian atmosphere - a perfect backdrop for meditation integration
As my first week in Paris concludes, I spend an evening at my host's apartment integrating these three practices. Sitting on a small balcony overlooking a quiet street, I create a simple sequence:
- Five minutes of focused breathing (inspired by Luxembourg Gardens)
- Five minutes of gratitude practice (inspired by Canal Saint-Martin)
- Five minutes of sensory presence (inspired by Parc des Buttes-Chaumont)
This integration helps me see how these three aspects of meditation support each other. Conscious breathing creates the foundation for gratitude, which in turn deepens my presence. And greater presence makes my breathing more natural and my gratitude more authentic.
I've also established a daily ritual of sending a message to my partner back home, sharing one moment of beauty I experienced and expressing gratitude for his support of this journey. My best girlfriend and I have started a shared journal where we each write about moments of presence we've experienced during the day, which we read together over breakfast the next morning.
As I prepare for week two, I feel a growing sense of openness and receptivity. The initial practices of breathing, gratitude, and presence have created fertile ground for deeper exploration. Next week, I'll focus on opening to receive guidance and blessings as I visit some of Paris's most spiritually significant sites.
Coming next week: "Breathing, Opening to Receive Guidance and Blessings" - Join me as I explore Sainte-Chapelle, the Grand Mosque of Paris, the Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.