Exercise in Nature
For this exercise I suggest you have a pen and paper near by to jot a few things down.
There are 3 parts to this exercise:
1. Experiencing natures’ impact on you.
2. Observing longing or discontent in your life.
3. Perceiving yourself through nature.
1. Find a place in nature that you enjoy to be. It may be a favorite place in a park, a garden or in the bush; or on a balcony, any where you can observe and feel part of the natural environment through your senses. If this is not available to you then imagine a place in nature that you love. You may prefer to sit, lie down or slowly walk.
Lovingly tune into your body, feel it, while at the same time tune into your experience of nature. Feel the ground beneath you holding you, the air around you and the sky above. Take your time to notice yourself in nature.. No hurry, just notice, sense and be aware.. Notice what you smell, what you feel through your skin and inside, what you hear and see.
Let the world influence you with its presence. Let your energy slow down and harmonize with the energy of nature. Notice your breathing, and breathe in and with the natural world around you. Allow your inner calm to grow and function as an extra sense. Can you perceive in a more ‘holistic’ way, with your body and mind attuned and open with every pore open to the experience?
As you take time just to be in nature observe what happens for you?
What is your mind doing? Here your attention moves from the outer to the inner world.
Where is your attention? Does it wander? If so gently bring back your attention to your own inner experiences?
Notice your body. What are you feeling in your body?
Find a place to sit.
2. Now go within and ask yourself what is uncomfortable in my life?
What am I longing for?
How does that longing feel?
Is there a place in your body where you feel this the most? Just observe it.
How does your longing arise out of the context of your life?
Jot down on your paper what you long for, or what feels uncomfortable in your life right now.
3. Eyes closed. Let your mind be ‘foggy’ and your eyes ‘soft’.
When you are ready and in your own time open your eyes and notice what flirts with you; what attracts your attention. Notice the first thing. Do not censor it.
e.g. flowers or a plant, or something else. Allow yourself to simply look at it noticing its shape and colours.
Then ‘shapeshift' into the thing you have observed; allow yourself to ‘become’ it, to merge with it, to BE it. Become its nature and essence.
You know when you are there when you feel at one with the object. Take your time.
Then look back at yourself through the eyes of what you have become. Observe the you looking at the object while simultaneously be the object. For a moment have a dialogue, or notice if a message emerges for the you sitting in nature observing.
Does this message have any relevance for part 2 of this exercise. What did you jot down about what is uncomfortable in your life or what are you longing for?
Jot down how this message might be useful for you in your every day life.
How would you apply it?