4AM Musings

The early morning hath gold in its mouth. – Benjamin Franklin

September 1, 2025

Greetings yogis,

It's 4 AM, and I am wide awake, having dreamt long enough—in more ways than one. I gaze up through the skylight just in time to catch a shooting star streak across the night sky. That's my cue. I roll over to Lauren and whisper "yolo" in her ear, then quietly slip out of bed, put on some warm clothes, boil water for my thermos, and fumble around for my shoes in the dark. Then I step out into the night air, totally free.

Walking through the neighborhood is sacred at this hour. I think of my beloved neighbors, their hopes, dreams, and fears quietly quelled by their pillows. Just past the neighborhood, I turn right and cross the sprawling bridge that stretches over the wetlands. The arch of California Bay Laurel trees flanking the walkway make this quite a striking corridor. Over the bridge and into the Headlands I go.

At this hour, even though my mind is alert, the climb is steep and my body moves slowly in the dark. I don't mind it at all—I make frequent stops to tilt my head back and take in the starry night. Two more shooting stars crisscross the path in front of me, letting me know I am meant to be here at this moment.

I recently saw a meme of two side-by-side photos of our planet, both exactly the same. Above the images it said, "The world before and after you make a mistake." It was a good reminder of how dramatic and self-centered we make our lives. The Earth has been here for billions of years, yet our tiny lifespan is but a blink in the eye of all things. This brings me solace, for it is truth. Overhead, Orion, the mighty hunter constellation, starts dipping below the western horizon as the world spins on her axis.

Clambering my way to the top, I take a right onto the small animal trail marked with a "No Hiking" sign. It's pitch black and no one is here, so I carefully make my way to the edge, using the sound of the waves below to gauge my proximity. Once I'm perched there, I simply lay down, propping my head up on my water bottle for an easier view of the night sky. A moment in savasana on the cold earth—4:30 AM and all is well.

The big, final savasana is coming for us all, but it's not here yet. That is something to celebrate.

I lay here awhile, letting my mind merge into wonder and awe. This month will mark another year on the planet for me. That is simultaneously miraculous and completely insignificant. For I have this day, this miraculous day, to stop dreaming and wake up. May you all enjoy the precious moments in your life as we slip into autumn. Take note of how far you've come and how resilient you are. Your life is a testament to this, unfolding in front of you, and you only get to live it once.

May you all be at peace and deeply inspired on your journey,

Nat K

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti