Happy Imbolc!
We’re now at that time of year where many celebrate new life stirring after the darkest period of winter where Nature’s energy goes underground while the surface is bare and trees, mostly, naked.
While out and about – I weatherproof myself for lashing rain and low temperatures – I’ve enjoyed snowdrops braving January chills, daffodil and crocus shoots pushing up through the hard earth promising colour soon to come, while the days stretch out a little longer towards the Spring Equinox.
And the birds? Well, they continue singing on the coldest and wettest days and the local robin comes closer on each sighting. I know this not as a naturalist but rather as a Nature lover who finds comfort, solace, wisdom and is invigorated when I’m aware of what’s around me.
As in Nature, so in Body, Heart, Mind
Although our bodily senses once served to keep us safe from the local woolly mammoth or hostile invasions from neighbouring tribes, we can put them to better use today, along with a good dose of curiosity, to notice the good, especially in the natural world.
We can so easily miss or cynically dismiss the everyday ordinary yet a healthy dose of curiosity to sense the world around you is a helpful way to train your attention to be here and now.
We learn to swim to keep safe and afloat in water as well as for pleasure and enjoyment. In the same way, you can begin to sense the world right under your nose rather than waiting for the doldrums before seeing if this works. It’s easier.
Start practising today because science suggests training the mind by anchoring attention in the body helps with happiness and wellbeing.
Looking After #One Day Retreats
Meanwhile, I’m excited to tell you that I have new courses and retreats lined up for 2020.
Moving into Mindfulness – Lyndhurst Community Centre, New Forest, Hampshire
These are daytime, six week introductory level mindfulness and self-awareness courses that I’m running with a friend in the heart of the New Forest at Lyndhurst Community Centre starting in February.
Looking After #One Day Retreats – Wisdom Centre, Romsey, Hampshire –
18 April, 4 July, 3 October
These are days held in the serene and tranquil Wisdom Centre devoted to honouring our need for care, gentle movement, wholesome food, creativity, rest and Nature so we feel in tune with ourselves, our energy and connected to the rhythms of the Earth.
Human BE-ing cannot be separated from the Well-BE-ing of the Earth. Caring for the self, we re-establish the connection to the body as home to all our experience and, in that way, come to see how necessary it is to care for our Earth as the home we share with all life. The health of Mother Earth affects the health of all who live on her precious body.
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