The Practice
Once you have slowed down and got yourself quiet, you start the work of getting outside yourself. One way to do this is to think like an ecosystem. Imagine that you are one of many characters playing in The Flow of Nourishment. Activate your senses. Look far and wide, and up close to see the details. Feel the sun and the wind, noticing the interaction of these pulsing rhythms on all the beings around you. Hear the birds, the babbling of water, rustling leaves, and conversations among the critters.
To take it even one step further, imagine you are not even a character, but, as Sophie Strand suggests, you are part of the landscape. Your footsteps carry moss spores, the rhythm of your inhale and exhale join you with the inhales and exhales of the leaves as they drink the sun. Just sit on the ground with no agenda other than to share the space with all who dwell. Offer up Gratitude through song, dance, color and poetry… and start to build relationships with each being you see. [For example, rather than "Look at that big oak tree!" you say "Hello Grandfather Oak!"] We are all Kin.
Although the Get Outside, Get Outside Yourself, and Listen sounds simple, I know that each of those steps is peppered with obstacles. The real challenge is to navigate the obstacles and make it a practice that sticks. If you want some support getting a an outdoor practice going, or, if you are looking for a deeper dive into the curriculum of "Creating a Path of Purpose: a Values-Based, Action-Driven Approach to Human-Gaian connection" get in touch.
- Get Outside
- Get Outside Yourself
- and Listen
Once you have slowed down and got yourself quiet, you start the work of getting outside yourself. One way to do this is to think like an ecosystem. Imagine that you are one of many characters playing in The Flow of Nourishment. Activate your senses. Look far and wide, and up close to see the details. Feel the sun and the wind, noticing the interaction of these pulsing rhythms on all the beings around you. Hear the birds, the babbling of water, rustling leaves, and conversations among the critters.
To take it even one step further, imagine you are not even a character, but, as Sophie Strand suggests, you are part of the landscape. Your footsteps carry moss spores, the rhythm of your inhale and exhale join you with the inhales and exhales of the leaves as they drink the sun. Just sit on the ground with no agenda other than to share the space with all who dwell. Offer up Gratitude through song, dance, color and poetry… and start to build relationships with each being you see. [For example, rather than "Look at that big oak tree!" you say "Hello Grandfather Oak!"] We are all Kin.
Although the Get Outside, Get Outside Yourself, and Listen sounds simple, I know that each of those steps is peppered with obstacles. The real challenge is to navigate the obstacles and make it a practice that sticks. If you want some support getting a an outdoor practice going, or, if you are looking for a deeper dive into the curriculum of "Creating a Path of Purpose: a Values-Based, Action-Driven Approach to Human-Gaian connection" get in touch.
