Come together in meditation – The Breathing Space, Friday 21st May, 7.30pm online
Surrendering to the ‘now’, focusing on your breath or an external object, or gazing at the clouds…. all these, and many more, are portals to enlightenment… which is simply the settling of awareness (meditation) that leads to the realisation of who you really are… a uniquely beautiful expression of the collective consciousness of life.
‘Meditation is simply about being yourself and knowing something about who that is.’ – Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are, 1994.
My favourite route to the state of meditation is being in nature. I have several places on my regular walks where I can pause and look and listen. When I rest my attention in the present moment, in my body, being in the space, I begin to merge with the space, to become part of it. I realise that me and the space are made of the same stuff, that on a simple material level, and at a much deeper level, I am the space. Nature is a beautiful and potent reminder of who I really am.
Next time you can pause, undisturbed, somewhere you find beautiful and calming, just let yourself be for a few moments or a few minutes. Watch the wind moving the trees, hear the birds, feel your feet on the ground, look closely at a flower. Know yourself to be made of the same elements of the earth and the water and the stars in the sky. Being in nature, communing with nature, becomes a portal to deeper understanding of your true nature.
‘As you sit on the hillside, or lie under the trees of the forest, or sprawl by a mountain stream, the great door, that does not look like a door, opens.’ – Stephen Graham, The Gentle Art of Tramping, 1923.
Centring is another very quick route into a grounded, spacious feeling of deep self-awareness. I like this practice and it can be done indoors or out, wherever you are and however you are feeling. It’s called 5-4-3-2-1.
Begin by noticing 5 different things you can SEE, really looking at each one with the curious eyes of a child.
Then 4 things you can HEAR
3 things you can TOUCH
2 things you can SMELL
1 thing you can TASTE
I promise it will bring you right into the present moment and once you’re here, your mind is receptive to the state of meditation.
But don’t take my word for it! Have a go and see what happens. I’d love to know how you get on.
If you’d like to experience other routes into meditation, join me for this month’s Breathing Space on Friday 21st May. The event is free and donations are welcomed. Get in touch for details and the Zoom link. Look forward to seeing you!
Tracey Roberts 