That line from David Foster Wallace hits me, especially as I rise at my preferred time of 5:00AM for meditation with the intent of feeling my spirit and essence before all others rise. There generally seems to be a truth to my thoughts at this time. The habit began when my children were small and I just needed some silence for thinking and planning before jumping into my day.
What is the soul? As I child, I had an image of the soul as a wrapped heart with wings, flying in the sky. Trying to capture this flying heart has been my task, in this lifetime. What is meditation? After a bit of research and lots of experience, I have come up with my own definition. Meditation is sitting still and trying calm the race of the brain. I search for that wise truthful part of me … the one who knows the real answers to the questions. With the calmness comes the truth of that flying heart that I capture for a few moments. I emerge with a base of strength and might, and leap into the day.