We had a nice time in the woods this past weekend, at THE GORGEOUS Blowing Springs Park in Bella Vista. Each time I enter the woods there, I am amazed that I don’t visit them every single chance I could possibly get.
@stephgfunk had the best idea….set up some adirondack chairs facing the woods, just as if they were sitting on the beach facing the ocean. Ummm….yes. Don’t people and their genius amaze you every day!? Please let this genius idea happen!!
Big thanks to @BlakeStArkansas for our exploration of self-care through experiential mindfulness and meditation. Interested in learning about how to get involved #withBlakeSt? Head to www.blakest.com &
IG: BlakeSt_AR
Blowing Springs
Ready. Set. Meditate.
Ending a pleasant meditative experience, together.
What we did…
Walk in the Woods
During our brief walk in the woods, we spent time on tuning into the senses, and learning ways we can bring presence into daily life, whether it is a walk in the woods or a walk into a stressful situation.
What do you hear? What is the closest sound near you? The farthest?
What do you smell? Can you taste anything on your tongue? Do you feel the air, or sweat, or clothing fabric on your skin?
What do you see? Who made it? Who continues to care for it?
JUNE is about emotions, the brain, and launching from where ever you are during the summer solstice to thriving.
Take care of your thoughts.
Thoughts become beliefs.
Beliefs become emotions.
During meditation, it is common for emotions to arise, and a primordial tug to go toward or go away from them.
Our natural state of being is stillness.
In this mind.
In this body.
Stillness.
Mediation (and practice!) create space between our natural state of stillness and the activated mind busy in thought.
Meditation allows you to practice stillness and creating that space.
Phosphenes Meditation
Start with a few deep breaths to deliberately soften the body.
Find a port of openness, that allows everything. Any discomfort, annoyance, expectation...space of allowing.
With eyes closed, begin to see the tiny pin pricks of light on the inside of your eye lids.
The natural occurrence of phosphenes will allow you to anchor your mind and attention.
As thoughts arise, do not be concerned. It is normal.
When you think of it, bring attention back to phosphenes.
With practice, you will notice more space between your active mind and the mind anchored in with phosphenes.
Note your physiological response, can you feel anything different? Every person’s experience is uniquely theirs. There is nothing wrong or right about anything.
It is common for emotions to come up. Do you turn toward them or away from them? There is no right response.
Stay here for 15-20 minutes each day. You will begin to shift.
Loving Kindness Meditation
Begin or end with yourself. Repeat the mantra twice for each person
MAY YOU BE SAFE.
MAY YOU BE STRONG.
MAY YOU BE HAPPY.
*SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU
*A STRANGER
*A DIFFICULT PERSON
MAY I BE SAFE.
MAY I BE STRONG.
MAY I BE HAPPY.
This is not a sentimental practice.
Observe emotions that arise.
Observe your response to the emotions.
There is no right or wrong response.
End by saying "MAY WE ALL BE THIS WAY"
Below is a bief explanation of Phosphenes, and how you can create them if you are unable to see them when you initially sit to meditate!