Our relationship with darkness The darkness of winter, and darkness in general, can be challenging. For some it can seem daunting, disorientating or bring up thoughts and feelings of fear, of lack or perhaps loss. It can highlight that which feels dark or scary within us, places we don't care to see, parts that we want to ignore, things we don't want to remember, or how we feel about ourselves. Or sometimes it is more about how we feel within the darkness. We might wonder and fear what is outside us in the dark, what lurks and waits? But what if this is all a part of ourselves, waiting to be seen and acknowledged; coming into our awareness for loving attention, compassion and care. Take a breath Take a breath... and another... Now let the breath be a little fuller and breathe or sigh all the way out... Allow the next breath in to be slower, gentler, quieter... really filling you up... When you are ready, exhale gently out... all the way to empty... and for a moment, simply wait... Soften... Sense... Sense deeper... Relax further... This beautiful emptiness is at the heart of winter, the out breath, the pause and the emptiness, not yet ready to move and be filled. Nature's pause Looking to nature we feel and see a pause, this wintering much more clearly. Bare trees like skeletons against a winter sky. Cold, hard ground in a state of stasis; everything held in suspended animation without any rush, without any agenda or push to move forward. This, in my opinion, is so exquisite and inviting when we take time to stop and notice. Inviting us into a surrendering, a quieting... being received, exactly as we are, in the moment. How often do we rush through this pause? This delicate, delicious and necessary time of deeper rest, contemplation, prayer or inward listening? The richness of the emptiness and darkness? Such a necessary and valuable part of the flow of life and within the creative process of inspiration, seeding, growth, evaluation and then release and renewal. We need the perspective of rest, of the pause. What if we take time to rest and listen within, what would we notice? If you haven't already, let your breathing return to its own steady rhythm as you sense and read on. I invite you to be curious, to wonder, to let your own experience unfold as it will in its own perfect way. I invite you on a journey into the sacred heart of darkness. Re-imagining the darkness Take a moment to image yourself in a really comfortable warm place, feeling truly held, supported and nourished, completely safe and at ease. Let your breathing be steady. Anchor yourself within your seat, your body connected to the earth... affirm and reassure yourself how loved and safe you are. And, if you are willing, let yourself relax and be held there, really connected to yourself and the essence of who you are. Sink deeper, find the steadiness at your heart. Go deeper still, really noticing... From that core, that heart, when you are ready, imagine that the light around you begins to gently lessen and fade, like the setting of the sun; sounds diminishing as you become ever so gently and gradually immersed in darkness, Notice... can the darkness and the exquisite silence add layers of comfort; wrapping you, holding you, bringing greater contentment and an all encompassing embrace to your already safe, nurturing space? Like being cocooned in a beautiful, rich, deep velvet luxurious blanket. Feel grounded, even safer and more present within yourself and within this experience. If you are comfortable to linger there, explore... be curious. What else do you notice? How does this deepen? Expand? If not, let the sun rise once again whenever you wish. The sacred heart of darkness You can move in and out of the darkness at will and sense increasing subtlety of sensation, thought and awareness within the practice. You are in charge of this experience, there is absolutely no rush or forcing, just possibility and playfulness. As you stay closer, listening, witnessing... what shifts? Changes? What stays the same? What did you notice? Silence? Stillness? Steadiness? Nothingness? If there is uncertainty, or fear... go deeper, what is beyond and beneath? Is there something within the silence? Or simply the expanse of silence itself? If you sense more, go deeper... right to the centre, the sacred heart... The absolute, unequivocal, steady, silent now with its cradling and expansive allowing... Deeply tender holding... All encompassing love Bathing you Can you allow yourself to be bathed and emptied by this timeless pause, only to find yourself filled by this same quality of existence. Being embraced by winter Find yourself embraced by 'winter' both utterly empty and completely full. Without the mind stuff, just the space, the womb like cavern of pure potential, pure nothing and yet... everything. Enveloped with such strength and tenderness... When we are in darkness, where do we turn to orientate? Can we reach in? Trust the power within... trust yourself? Can you allow yourself to be fulfilled by this darkness? Is there a slowing? More time... do you sense more within the less? Can you let yourself be embraced by all that winter has to offer? Taking yourself into the darkness with your own heart, strength and essence as your guide? Welcoming any thoughts, feelings, sensations, fragments and parts of you that naturally come into awareness to be included in the embrace, in the holding? Only to dissolve again into the emptiness of the pause... How will you embrace winter? What can you do today that will add layers of this holding and embrace in your own life? To enhance these supportive qualities within and around you so that you feel more relaxed and in the present? Blanketed with tender care so that it is increasingly possible to be comfortable in the slowing and in the pause? Notice that which warms you and how you can make small changes to really care for yourself, giving time to notice, to linger and to sink within the comfort of the body and the mind. As we do so we may notice that we can flow in and out of this pause more regularly. That winter isn't just the season, but an invitation to turn inwards and refuel again and again as we take time to rest and to receive from within. My winter's journey Embracing winter in this way has been completely and utterly magical to me. It took me time to really trust and develop ease within the process but it has come to support me with such inner strength, it has transformed my relationship with myself and with life itself. As I took time to fully listen, to witness and to gently inquire, I found a deep inner peace, a true strength and also a lightness of heart with a joy that carries me through my life. I continue to make peace with life as it is, less fixing or trying to change that which is in front of me. I sense a deeper belonging within my own life and within my own heart which allows my heart to remain more open. I've learnt to lean in, to soften, to stay and to listen. A listening with the whole body and whole of my being. When stillness arises I can bathe and be in the stillness, become the stillness and the peace. In that moment there is no doing, I can simply melt into the tender sensing and awareness of now. During this winter season I do things to nurture myself, to be more comfortable and cosy. This allows me to soften and rest more readily. Maybe these examples will inspire you too...
All of these allow me to take that exhale, that sigh, the out breath that naturally lead me/us into the pause. May you begin to truly trust the darkness, make peace with the shadows and slowly, over time, turn to face the unknown and find yourself there. May you be there with yourself, for yourself, in love. And perhaps to be embraced by winter is to be embraced by life itself? This is the thread and knowing that weaves through my own life and through my holistic work. Going deeper If doing this practice alone was a challenge, which it absolutely can be if life experience has meant silence, stillness or darkness have become fundamentally unsafe, then we can journey safely together. Get in touch to be guided with love in a way that reassures and builds your own deep self trust. Look out for group events online that allow us to journey together into the heart of ourselves and support one another to explore the wholeness of who we are. This labyrinth like spiralling between dark and light is accentuated in life cycles, transitions and particularly through the menstrual cycle and into the journey of menopause. Check out the Womb Wisdom page for more details of how we can support all of these. I also have a video course entitled 'Navigating the Darkness: Harnessing the magic of the moon' at Doors to the Feminine.com that goes more into this inward journey with practices and guided meditations. Go deep with a new moon course And if you wish to journey deeply and more completely I highly recommend the path of the new moon. Having navigated this path consistently for 4 years it has given me the courage and strength to look at each area of my own life, and many different aspects of myself, through the eyes of kindness and curiosity, and with hearts intention to make empowering changes to transform my life from the inside out. New Moon Magic ~ A Path of Deep Transformation Beginning April 2024 online 13 moons - 1 year of self-acceptance, illumination, celebration, integration and healing into wholeness. Sharing the incredible learning and wisdom of my own journey to allow it to transform your life too.
Why the new moon? The previous blog post 'Why New Moon Circles?' explains more about how they came into being. This year long interactive course will support you to thrive and shine in a grounded, joyful way by moving out of old patterns and into your most honest and authentic self. Through sacred circles, wisdom teachings, contemplation, journaling, intention setting, therapeutic releasing techniques, mediation and the alchemy of ritual. Get to know yourself like never before and come to love who you are and the life that you are living. ** Applications open February 2024 **
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For many years I have connected with the lunar cycle, the changing phases of the moon. As we move through the months, years and phases of life we may notice patterns within ourselves, or how we interact and show up in the world. Full moon brightness For around seven years my most intentional connection was to the full moon phase, when the moon is fully reflected and appears at its brightest and roundest in our skies. This provided an opportunity for connection, reflection, celebration, awareness and illumination. It was transformative and really shaped and changed me and my life in wonderful ways. I still adore the magic and fullness of the full moon, it draws from me the most expansive and joyful brightness in my heart and body. It always makes me smile inwardly and outwardly and encourages me to pause in this remembering and give thanks. New moon darkness As years went on, I became more aware of the challenges presenting around the new moon, the darker moon when the least light is reflected and we see just a sliver of moon in our night sky. These were not necessarily big challenges but frustrations and niggles, intrusive thoughts and a general dis-ease that unsettled the peace within me. I had some awareness of what these patterns were needing but I also had plenty of times when I felt more clueless as to how to navigate this with more skill and kindness. Intentional reflection This led me to journeying with the new moon, to intentionally reflect around that time and question what I was thinking, feeling and noticing. With the support of books, courses and my own intuitive knowing I have been journeying with the new moon in this way every month for over three years. I have shown up for myself every month and dedicated time to inquiry, listening and writing what clarity comes. It has been such an incredible experience and, as I have repeated the process each year, I have had opportunity to also celebrate and recognise growth and change within myself and how I show up in my life, work and relationships. Around the new moon is also a potent time to write and vocalise that which we wish to call in, to change or release. With simple intention setting we can bring this forward in our awareness and ground our wishes as we speak or write them into existence. What is intention? I think in essence it is getting clear on something we plan and aim to do, be or have. What we intend to bring about, often the essence at the heart of what we desire, not the material thing itself. This can be in a practical day to day way, or it can be a more inward sense of how we feel, sense, perceive and navigate life. Acceptance and embrace Each new moon provides a chance to explore a certain part of our inner workings, our inner world, mind and psyche. For me, it was leaning into these deeper and darker places that really brought about clarity, compassion and clearing. To question beliefs and habits was pivotal in accepting and embracing more of the wholeness of myself and bringing into the light some things about me, and aspects of myself, I had left hidden in the dark. Each month a new awareness and a new part of me given the time, care, acceptance and love that was previously lacking. Like so many themes this challenge was showing up when working with clients and in conversations with friends too. People were expressing repeating triggers, feeling disempowered, noticing bigger emotions and habits showing up and being unable to make the ‘better choice’. New moon gatherings It felt like a place of magic, of gold, where such alchemical wisdom was just waiting to be unveiled and included. So much so that, in summer 2019, I began gathering a small group of women to journey through these new moon phases so that we could learn to navigate the darkness with the support of an intentional and sacred space. And it has indeed been completely magical!! Really deeply transformational. Deep transformation Every intimate gathering is totally unique, every time a slightly different group of people, and always some release, relief, emotional flow - recovering parts of ourselves, allowing life to move through us, tapping into our own intuition and finding that which wants to be shared from within each of us. We move, we breathe, we listen, we reflect, we often laugh (sometimes a lot!), we honour and welcome every single person exactly as they are, and every expression as it shows up within the space - the sacred space providing the container for all that wants to move and flow, all that wants to release or integrate. There is often sound, song, rhythm, a deeper calling and drawing of knowing and wisdom sharing in this, often non verbal, way. We take time to see and be seen, to hear and be heard, and this in itself is pure alchemy. Many have reported that it leaves them buoyant and able to mange the following month with a real sense of being held and supported and filled up from within, that bumps in the road have been smoother and that they look forward each month to gathering in this way. An invitation If you feel called to work more in this way you are very welcome to take a look at my Womb Wisdom page for one to one sessions and opportunities to connect, to embrace, to clear and release and to align more and more fully with your most authentic self. Whether you already work with the cycles within and around us, the moon or otherwise, whether you already take time to be intentional and using your intentions to shape you and your life from the heart and soul of you, I wish you the most fulfilling unfolding of your truest self. May you know how valuable you are in this world. May you be really seen, heard and accepted for the wonderful person you are. New Moon Women's Circle ~ New Forest Meeting monthly close to the dark moon with hearts intention to meet in our wholeness, in our truth, with compassion in a safe space to explore and process all that is present. Coming into greater alignment and acceptance with what is. Opening sacred space for navigating the dark moon with courage and growing wisdom as we deepen connection, develop awareness, empowerment and self-love. We will open to great remembering as we unify humanity and divinity through embodiment practices, breath, sound, movement, silence and much more. Co-creating in the the magik of sisterhood and sharing all that we are. Invocation If you feel drawn to them I invite you to connect with those words again at the new moon as a beautiful heart invocation. You can read aloud and it can be wonderful to repeat three times and feel the deepening and shifting of the words as they land. At this dark moon my heart intention is... to meet myself in my wholeness... in truth and with compassion. I know it is safe to explore and process all that is present. I am coming into greater alignment and acceptance with what is. I am opening sacred space within for navigating the dark moon with courage and growing wisdom. I am deepening connection, awareness, empowerment and self-love. I open to greater remembering as I unify humanity and divinity. And so it is! Do you ever get an idea, an inspiration, and try to run with it only to find it doesn't come to fruition? I think we have probably all experienced moments of pushing and trying to bring something to life only to eventually admit it wasn’t the right idea, or the right moment.
Sometimes it’s the gentle stirring, the quiet whispering of inspiration and new adventures and projects that are simply awakening. Not yet ready to be brought into life with effort and too much doing. This early spring energy in the Northern Hemisphere is warming the earth, is slowly igniting the fire and energy within. There may be one of two shoots appearing of the crocus, daffodil and snowdrop and yet there is a deeper stillness, the earth is resting too, waiting… Listen to the landscape within Within the resting and stillness, within the quiet there is a distinct hum, palpable stirring, a vibratory quality of potential. A dynamic energy within the darkness and stillness. Can you feel it? Can you imagine it? The inner fire ignited and creation and inspiration begin to flow more readily … like a stream thawing from a winter rest. No amount of effort would allow many crops, plants and flowers to grow at this cooler temperature and neither is our inner warmth, fire and rising energy perhaps quite ready to nurture and tend to some of the stirring projects and new ideas. Further listening and awareness might reveal a need to tend to the deeper landscape and soil of our being, preparing for the seeds and growth to come. This is not the same as passively waiting and not putting in any effort, sustained effort becomes very necessary in alignment with this rising current and quickening flow later on. For now do you need to take more care of yourself? The inner landscape… your own physical, mental, emotional well-being and become as healthy and full of vitality as you can be? Tending to our inner seeds Perhaps you have already planted the seeds and they are building with the energy of attention and focus? Perhaps they need more nurturing… what do they/ you need? More love, more care? More water? More warmth and light? Perhaps they need to be in the darker, cooler earth for longer and when the moment is just right they will begin to root and sprout? The necessity of the season... resting, allowing This early spring energy of Imbolc is celebrated at the beginning of February. Yet some years the energy seems to build sooner, and other years it is a little later. Where are you within this awakening process? The ignited fire beginning to rise and the world around us slowly waking up? Sometimes we can find ourselves pushing and rushing to forge ahead and try to do, create and bring things to life before the time is quite ready. Can we linger longer, listen deeper and honour where we truly are? Do you rush? I certainly have in the past, excited by the warmth of the sun breaking through and going into a quicker pace of doing. Anticipating the seasons to come and missing the absolute necessity of this steady, gentle nurturing moment. Yet the coldness returns, the frosts, the darker days, a reminder to go slowly and more gently perhaps? An invitation I invite you to take a few moments, to get quieter and more still and listen to the earth and life around you? What do you notice? How do you feel in relation to this quality and to the listening itself? There are no wrong answers, and sometimes there is no answer at all!! Be in the enquiry. There is no rush. The whole process is slow and steady and unfolds and unfurls exactly as is needed. You might like to take a gentle moment to recognise one or two seeds to which you are tending. Do you, within you, have all you need to tend to these? All the nourishment, spaciousness, support, resources, trust… Do these particular seeds still feel just right and inspiring, or do they need more time to bed in and build momentum; or to fall away completely to allow a more coherent and aligned vision and dream to form? What do you wish to grow? If you haven’t intentionally planted any seeds it can be a lovely time to listen into that which we want to create, become and put more time and focus towards. If you could include one thing this year that would make a significant difference to your life what would it be? You can imagine planting the seed of awareness into the soil, into the earth and into the heart of yourself. Then letting it be, letting it be received and be held by this deeper stillness and energy of pure potential. You can write down and put away what you have seeded, to come back to at a later season when it starts to grow and need more care and sustained energy, awareness and effort to nurture and grow the seedling into a strong plant and then to fruition. Keep in mind that some seeds are no longer needed and can be weeded and returned to the soil with ease and gratitude. Gardening for the soul If you like you can plant actual seeds and represent these in the outside world, to bring the unseen into the seen and to grow and care for the plants in real time. Always trust your own knowing and what works for you most of all. However you navigate this time I wish you the depth and steadiness of this gently stirring season. I offer these reflections to possibly awaken the heart of your own knowing and to find the most useful and joyful way for you to keep growing with your truest dreams and visions. May we let go of the unnecessary pushing and move into flowing with life and allowing sustained effort to be valuable and effective. And may our seeds become strong, healthy, beautiful creations, adventures and projects ready and ripe for harvest later in the year. ‘Thank you so much, you have given me the peace to just rest today. I have done nothing. You are a very gifted lady’ Claire I received this wonderful feedback from a client. It arrived into the pace and flow of my own day as such a clear reminder. It gave me an opportunity to reflect and to muse on the necessity of rest, on peace and doing 'nothing'. I think this deepens and builds on the inquiry into integration that was posted in July.
What happens in the nothing? The potency and the gift, the peace itself? What is present in the rest? How many of us forget the power and potency of rest? How many of us sacrifice our peace for productivity, achieving and trying to get to somewhere (inwardly or outwardly)? I certainly do and when I remember the incredible gift of doing nothing I can find myself so fully immersed in the present moment that it is like someone switched on the light. The clarity and vibrancy are awe inspiring, the awareness sharp and focused but so tender. I wonder how I ever rushed, how I ever missed this quiet attentive awareness and complete witnessing of the present moment... and then I forget, and rush again!! An Invitation I invite you in this moment to stop. To completely stop and wait... to witness and observe. Let a clear, spacious silence wash over you and through you. Allow yourself to simply be, to pay attention without agenda, without judgement, without need to change anything at all. Where are you within this witnessing? How are you experiencing and how do you move, breathe and interact? It can be a single moment, that is all it takes to drop inwards and see and know the timelessness of the now. If you have longer then linger and see how this experience unfolds for you. And that's it, the potency and magic are right there within every breath and every moment, we simply become aware. And the questions? Are they still present, are they still alive in this spaciousness of rest? If so let yourself gently be within the wonder of the questions and listen. Let your inner guidance and wisdom softly play, not needing to hold onto an answer or to be done with the question. Stay in the spaciousness and the curiosity. Otherwise, simply be exactly as you are in all your glory in this now moment and each moment as it emerges effortlessly! Share your reflections I would love to hear your reflections and experiences. In our sessions we often take time to pause, to witness, to see and feel more clearly. To let the noise, the interference and chaos settle so we know ourselves and can return to our own centre, our own knowing above all else. I believe this is the magic in sharing time in this way, be it one to one or in a group. The intention is to allow you to deeply and fully rest back into yourself, your own harmonic aligned energy and the magic of you. From there, to know yourself, to hear and trust yourself. To feel and allow inspiration to flow and to act from a place of peace and joy and move into emerging moments of love. And just like that the heat and hustle and bustle subsided. It seemed to change so suddenly, moving us well and truly into the bounty and beauty of late summer. The long hot days and evenings, bare toes and jumper-less arms begin to fade. The timeless haze gives way to more structure and order as patterns and routines move into place, ready to be embraced with the fading light and cooling crisper days.
It happens every year but each one comes anew. Every year a different gift, a releasing, a realising; a shift in awareness, perspective and a change to the old nostalgia of times and days gone by. Socks appear, jumpers are found and the fading light in the evenings can bring us indoors earlier with more time with books, candles, blankets. At the end is a list of ideas to help get your inspiration flowing for this time of change. Loss? How is this transition time for you? This time of year used to bring such sadness, a real sense of loss. Loss of the light, the warmth and activity, loss of brighter colours, ease of movement and a spring in our step. Missing connecting and playing with so many friends, old and new. The possibility and hopefulness of summer with the wide open space of time, the extended playground of the outside world, doors and windows open, freedom and adventure on the horizon and people living out in the world. Trying to hang onto the summer that bit longer, and hoping to make the most of those last days, at times, felt so challenging, with so much effort and fuelled with this sense of nostalgia and loss. Acceptance And now, with experience and practice, there is a deeper acceptance, still deepening with each passing year and cycle, that it is time to come inwards, it is time to embrace the new season as we transition into late summer and into the autumn glow. Perhaps the days can be enjoyed even more with less gripping and tethering, simply moving with the energy and possibility of continuing the things we love and appreciate within those shortening, cooler days, whilst aware of the slow release and a beckoning, a call from within. The Call What a gift and how beautiful this call can be. How can we listen and honour this song, this vibration, this knowing instead or holding onto the past and wanting more of what is naturally subsiding? The softening, the slowing, the permission to create more order from the wonderful chaos of summer experiences and adventures. Time to allow those moments that have been and that we have shared to settle, to bed-in and to integrate; giving us fuel and inner fire and sustenance for the time ahead. And as the acceptance comes, and as the inner quiet allows greater listening, it is possible, perhaps, to hear the call of autumn. The opportunities, the abundance, the nurturing, the time well spent within those lessening daylight hours and even the gathering and use of the abundance all around us to prepare for the deepening into the months ahead. Embracing and honouring What will you be embracing and how will you be honouring this call home? This call back slowly within your own self and your own physical space and home? Perhaps you are decluttering and making way for new projects and ideas, both in the mind and material world? Maybe you plan to make and preserve from the fruits and berries in the local vicinity? Do you have favourite recipes such as soups or stews that warm your body, your kitchen and home when you prepare them? Favourite films or books to take you on a different kind of adventure? The Essence of Autumn What is the essence and quality of autumn, the deeper wisdom? Contemplation . The inner call and contemplation can give perspective and reflection. When we take this time there can be an organic releasing and letting go that is echoed in the natural world around us. What is no longer needed? What no longer serves or supports who you are now, or who you are becoming? Let this sensing of yourself guide your choices and feel your way into the unfolding, embracing newness, or the beckoning and sharpening clarity of you within your life and self. Maybe you feel really centred and clear and ready for the season shift? Then notice and celebrate this within your reflection and within yourself too. Has this been a journey, a learning, has it been growing over time? Change and transitions. Recognising that change is fairly constant we can begin to embrace and befriend, instead of pushing or pulling against the inevitable. How can we really allow and let go? Maybe even celebrate the changes? Preparations that allow a connection and physical involvement with the inward flow, being part of the change in ways that bring peace and creativity or contentment and joy. Are there ways you can be more present, creating a sense of ceremony or ritual from the most beautifully simple moments and activities? Paying attention more fully, with greater intention and connecting into a deeper awareness, an honouring, a reverence perhaps, that supports and carries us forward. Punctuating and celebrating the slowing, the nurturing, the listening. Pause in those moments… the pouring of tea, the running of a bath, lighting a candle or lacing up your warmer boots. Harvest. What experiences and moments stand out from the summer that can be the fruits and nourishment for your heart, mind and soul? What are you grateful for in your own life and of yourself? What have you overcome or navigated that you can be proud of? Has there been a new skill, a way of relating, setting boundaries, putting your needs as a higher priority or embracing life and more joy? What have you achieved, accomplished, been or become? What have you released and welcomed as a new or healthier way? What are things about yourself that you can take a moment to really see, feel and notice? The simpler the better to recognise your own true strength, beauty, resilience, capability and much much more. Take a few minutes to write them down, bringing your full awareness to the awesomeness that is you in this moment now. Magic! We can’t talk of autumn without mentioning magic! The absolutely unique and potent potential that exudes from the season in so many ways. The vivid colours, the richness and variety of smells, the palpable light quality, the abundance, the enticing, the beckoning and the magical energy drawing closer and closer, holding and supporting us, surrounding and protecting us. Feel into the magic, what does it offer for you? How does this provide buoyancy, lightness with growing depth, rooting, softening and being? Slow down and embrace yourself as the earth embraces you now. You are held, you are ready! Whether you feel joyous and excited and ready for this magic or whether you are still in denial, holding onto whatever threads and moments of summer that you can (yup, I’ve been there!) I wish you the most beautiful and nourishing time as we transition through this gateway of possibility and magic into greater connection and appreciation for ourselves, for a sense of home, inward and outward, and the huge gift of rest and renewal that is lighting our way within. Some ideas shared for you to inspire your own list of yummy autumnal treasures… ~Snuggling into the cosier days and evenings with jumpers and layers ~Sunsets with the awesome colours and shapes as the clouds appear to paint an ever changing canvas of light ~A good book and a favourite blanket ~Socks! Favourite warm fluffy socks, or slippers?! ~Star gazing in the evening as the light fades earlier ~The lush green returning after the dry browner baked earth ~The damp, mossy fragrance and enticing woodlands and trees as they come alive and call us back within their earthy embrace ~Baking, and eating our scrummy creations! ~Sunset swims if you are fortunate enough to live near to water or the sea ~Leaves in fiery hues falling to the ground, ready to be jumped in and to crunch under boots ~Warming foods and favourite smells wafting from the kitchen (maybe spices or sweet smells of fruits, or hearty savoury stews, pastas, soups) ~Meeting with a good friend or a nurturing conversation on the phone ~Escaping with a great film, series or book ~The magical sound of rain falling when we are snug inside, or on hoods and umbrellas ~The intoxicating smell of the rain on the dry land ~Time to be, to reflect… Take a moment, if you wish, to really sense those things that you absolutely love about snuggling down into the autumnal flow. The homely time, the resting and nurturing and preparing for the deeper rest to come. There are many times when themes seem to appear through sessions and in daily life. One such recent theme has been around doing! There seems to be a really strong drive towards doing, including achieving, becoming, improving and any other engagement in activities which are often goal driven. Several people have reflected to me that they are doing ‘all the right things’ but nothing is changing, they still feel the same. Even the doing of really positive practices and habits can become mechanical and about the activity or action alone. So when these activities and practices are done without really feeling or noticing any change in everyday life what is the point? Is there a point? Is it about doing more? More frequency? This certainty resonated with me through moments of effort, change and regularity of practices when it just didn’t seem to make much difference.
Why are we doing these things in the first place? I think this is a much deeper question but for the moment let’s look at the simplicity of how the task is carried out and the immediate aftermath to see if we can open to possibility and perhaps bring about more lasting perception of change. The missing piece Through my own exploration, and with clients, the missing piece seems to be integration. What does that mean? The definition of integration seems to point towards bringing together parts, incorporating one thing with another or co-ordinating with processes, self or environment. What I would call integration in this context is the coming together as a whole being (the whole body, all parts of the mind, nervous system, energy field and spirit) with the earth and current environment. But how? The pause The quickest, simplest way I have found is through the pause; by pausing and receiving that which we have practised. Remember the technique is just that, technique, and that the unfolding experiencing and shift in awareness, witnessing, sense of self (or many other parts of experiencing) is only really felt and incorporated when we take the time to stop and notice. When the spaces between doing and the moments of silence become an integral part of our practices, and everyday life. I have encouraged both myself and clients to focus in that moment at the end of the technique, on the feeling, sensation, experience after, rather than ticking off the practice and going into the next action or activity too quickly. Ultimately I sense this as a returning to wholeness and allowing many parts of ourselves to come together as one. The un-doing gives space and time for settling to arise naturally and organically. For some this has been a profound shift, to really find ourselves more deeply in the moment. The opening up of space and spaciousness and the honouring of the need for this non-action and witnessing has been just what was needed and, in every day life, can be a game changer too. Allowing Sometimes no technique is required. It allows for a receiving of the underlying intentional, generated or emerging qualities. With clients it is often peace, stillness, groundedness or ease of energetic flow. To linger in that moment of receptivity and to ALLOW moves us also from doing into BE-ing. From action to presence. Getting a really felt sense of the now and ourselves within the body and environment and, from presence, inspired action can take place. Sometimes inspired action is simply resting, relaxing, being in the moment. Because inspired action comes from a deeper knowing and place of self trust it can take far less energy and mental processing too, I have found this personally and observed in others. What has been your experience? Does it overlap or do you have other ways of wording or viewing this non-action that I am including as part of integration? Inspiration I sometimes naturally find myself reaching for a book, for a passage or poem, to inspire, to reflect or shed more light on such moments as these. In one session recently I pulled the ‘Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching’ edited by Timothy Freke. I share the verse it opened onto with you here. Verse 48 Someone seeking learning, knows more and more. Someone seeking Tao, knows less and less. Less and less, until things just are what they are By simply being, everything gets done. Get things done, by letting them happen. Struggling all the time, gets you nowhere. In this book it touches on the concept of Tao in the introduction: “The concept of Tao - the Way - as one which the thinkers of the past used to cover many areas of what we would today call spirituality, religion, ethics and morality. "In the Tao Te Ching it is seen as the fundamental force or inspiration which fills all life (…) which brings all life. The text goes further, describing the Tao as that which gives birth to the Origin. It thus becomes the force behind and beyond all forces. But it is not a divine force; it is simply yet gloriously the ultimate expression or origin of all that is natural… following the natural path, of flowing with nature and not trying to impose humanity’s puny will against the reality of nature.” 'Simply yet gloriously the ultimate expression or origin of all that is natural'! Wow, that language really stood out for me. I won’t analyse this as we will all find our own meaning and resonance within these words but it certainly reinforced for me the allowing rather than struggling and striving; of the flow with nature and the inspiration that fills life. The invitation Perhaps the invitation next time you or I are coming to a practice, be it for the first time or the hundredth time, is to allow spaciousness and flow. For the time and observance both during, and at the end, to simply be aware, present and receptive to the deeper more subtle self and effect of our chosen technique. Linger and savour the time with yourself, receive the benefits, wisdom and gifts that are there waiting to integrate. Feel the wholeness of yourself and the wonder of you in that moment, without distractions and without needing anything to be any different. What if nothing needed to change? What if you are already whole and in the moment but have to remember to stop and meet yourself there? To meet your whole self in the moment right now? Perhaps you can allow this awareness to filter out effortlessly through your day/s and find yourself more and more aware, integrated and united. Take a breath and maybe even smile to your own humanness and beauty as I smile to you now. |
Jo PitcherHi, my name is Jo. I am a Holistic Practitioner & Facilitator based in the beautiful forest and coastal area of Lymington, New Forest. I am passionate about supporting and inspiring a grounded, integrated approach to life, health, well-being and embodied spirituality. By quietening the busyness and noise we can hear ourselves more easily and trust our own inner knowing above all else. Archives
January 2024
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