sprouts under snow

Sure it’s cold, but the roundup of seasonal and nature-based newsletters are saying great things about this time of year.

Under the ice and snow there is a sprouting renewal happening, even if we can’t see much yet. That this happens every year inspires some faith in the process.

Ground Hog Day has passed, and the farmers’ newsletter from Belmont Acres reported that: “as we surpass 10 hours of day length life begins to emerge from its winter slumber.” The quote in the title "transformation of fatigue into gentle buds of fresh hope" comes from the Antlered Path substack.

Here at the mindfulness studio

Here at the mindfulness studio, there are a number of options for tuning into these ideas of renewal and making them feel more real for yourself.

The deeper intention is to notice the idea as an idea. And then, to also see if there could be a way to embody the concept, make it more real. Can we find a practice that will assist with taking it out of the realm of thoughts and ground it in our lived experience? That could be truly refreshing!

Instead of simply having an idea… (which can be disembodied) using a mindfulness practice to ground the felt sense of it in our lived experience, in our embodied bodies.

Option A: a breath-awareness practice could be a way to tune into the realities underneath metaphors about “inspiration.” Where is your breath right now? When you breath in, can you feel an emotional form of inspiration blended with the physical inspiration of air? Or not?

Option B: A bodyscan is an excellent way to tune into the realities of being embodied. If you want to add a little creative visualization, imagine the ways that the trees’ sap is starting to rise during this season. Can you feel a similar rising in your own blood?

If you are interested in a live guided meditation of these two options, join the studio members’ online call next week [Read more…]