Greetings my friends,
I felt in a quiet, contemplative space this morning when I sat down to write for you today. It felt right to be gentle with myself and with you too. I realised that I wanted to take the space and time to just ‘be’ together. I imagined us out in nature, sitting in a circle with our eyes closed. We slowly allowed ourselves to drop into our bodies and relax. We breathe together in companionable silence and stillness. There is nowhere else to be and nothing else to do. These moments of connection are so precious. If we do nothing more today than breathe together, then I am content.
Holding the Question
In my Earth Wisdom training, we have a protocol called holding the question. I find it helpful to craft a question when there is a situation or challenge with no easy answer(s). In such times, holding the question is a way to stop me from becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty. This inquiry can help me look into what might be needed. Also, it can signpost me to where simplicity lies beyond the complexity that can overwhelm me.
It is powerful to open up a basket up to gather responses. I have chosen the word 'responses' quite deliberately. We are not attempting to find answers. It is more to let the question percolate for a while and drop observations into the basket as they arise.
Responses may come when you are washing up or out for a walk, sleeping, or conversing with another person. All the responses are welcome, even if they feel pessimistic. You don't edit; you stay open. There comes the point sometimes in a few days, sometimes in a few weeks when the basket is ready for review. I love to see what wisdom is there for me.
A Suggested Question to Hold this week
I have a favourite book called 'Meditations through the Year' by Dorothea Breitzter-Kings. At the beginning of each month, she offers a guided visualisation based on the seasonal cycle. From this months visualisation, called The Sea, Dorothea made a lovely suggestion to;
'take a little while to ponder how much more there is to life than that which we can see and know; and feel the presence of that inner ocean of potential which is always there for you.'.
Is that not just wonderful? Click here to listen to my recording of the visualisation.
To recognise there is so much more to 'see and know.' To connect with the 'inner ocean of potential which is always there for you.' The potential to love, the potential to be happy, the potential to be well, and the potential to make a difference in others' lives. I can feel my heart expanding as I touch into the warmth of this.
From this quotation, I offer the following question for us to hold this week.
How much more is there to see and know about what is happening in the world that taps into our inner ocean of potential?
I offer this question as a way to move into a space of self-awareness, self-responsibility, and self-management. To build our seeing and knowing that comes from beyond what is reported. To tap into the wisdom that is available to us if we take time to listen. To feel more able to discern and choose our thoughts, words, and actions.
This awakens a sense of promise and hope within me. I hope it does for you, too.
As always, I would love to hear from you.
Guide Visualisation : The Sea
In the visualisation, we journey to the sit by the seashore and take in the sights and smells there. Dorothea offers that the sea's vastness and bounty are akin to the 'inner ocean of potential within us.' She encourages us to attune to the waves' rhythm and dive into the 'wealth of diversity, strange and wonderful, that abounds in the depth of your own inner ocean.' She ends on an optimistic note that you can always return to this inner home whenever things are challenging. To 'sail the rainbow waves from which, quite unexpectedly, some unknown treasure may yet one day be washed ashore.
Gorgeous:)
Click here or on the photo below to listen to the visualisation. Enjoy.
Thank you Ann.
Thank you Ann. How am I feeling today?
Quite raw today with a pipeline into an ocean of grief. Holding it with curiosity and tenderness.