Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, October 20, 2008
Being one of those ethereal types - a wanderer, a dreamer...constantly lifting lifting towards the sky, I find meditation a challenge. My mind is never still, it is never slowing.
One of the easiest and most affective forms of meditation is to count the breath backwards. I particularly like focussing my awareness on my navel - "navel rising 54, navel falling 54, navel rising 53, navel falling 53". If ever I can't sleep this practice gently lulls me into slumber. But sleep is not meditation. I know, I know.
And even though I agree whole-heartedly with Jack, I find that silence, thought and a cup of tea is also my meditation.
Today while Che slept I sat quietly at the table, sipping tea and letting my eyes wander around the gentle folds of these roses. One petal, two petal, soft petal, fallen petal. Each flower has a different shape and pattern and they reminded me of mandalas, those colourful, intricate artworks that so many yogis meditate on.
Gratitude today for stillness in meditation, for tea and rose mandalas. Thanks for the blooms Mum x
Labels: 30 days of gratitude , blooms , meditation , yoga
Thursday, October 16, 2008
There is a mulberry tree in the same garden...we're planning a picnic under its branches in January. Today we were happy with these pink blooms and the bright bright sunshine. Happy Spring. Oh how I love it.
Labels: 30 days of gratitude , blooms , seasons
Friday, September 12, 2008
Labels: 30 days of gratitude , blooms
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
It is a common fact that a baby's breath is so sweet. Che doesn't smell like a newborn anymore but when he is sleeping I often snuggle up beside him and hold him close so I can listen to him breathe. Such long, calm breaths, his whole torso rising and falling, rising and falling. His breath is still so new and pure. I wish I could bottle it.
As we all grow older we (can) loose our natural flexibility and I've just some to realise that we also loose our natural ability to breathe deeply and calmly. We become so caught up in our fast-paced lives that we begin to breathe into our chest instead of our belly. We have to be reminded how to breathe sometimes. The essence of life is breath and the essence of yoga is balanced breathing. I teach all my students to breathe through their nose and into their belly - just like a baby. Today I reminded my pre-natal students that the sound of their own breath will comfort and guide them through labour and birth.
And this afternoon Che found his first Dandelion. And so I picked it for him, gave it to him to hold and I taught him how to breathe softly and make a wish. He watched as the fluffy white seeds floated off into the ether and then we came inside where it was warm and cosy.
I just held him in my arms and I listened to his breath get heavier and slower until he gave in to sleep.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sometimes fresh coloured paper and a bunch of lavender from Mum's garden can make a dull day seem so much brighter.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
So I ventured across the road to the old farmhouse, the oldest house on this street.
Before I reached the gate I saw an elderly woman sitting on the verandah, looking dreamy and contemplative. I asked her if I could come in and she beckoned.
I met a gem. Her name is Ruth and she tells me that she often spends her afternoons sitting quietly, admiring her magnolia tree.
She is an 80-something-year-old woman who loves her garden. Sadly, because of the drought and our subsequent water restrictions, she can't water her beloved blooms like she once could. So she relies on the rain to feed them and she just sits back and hopes for the best.
I asked her kindly if I could please have a branch of her cherry blossom tree. "You can't have just one," she says. She grabs her gardening tools and waddles in front of me, guiding me around hedges and ducking under stray branches. She sends me home with 5 cherry blossom branches and I promise her I'll visit again soon.
I found my beloved cherry blossoms and I met a new friend.
Labels: blooms , nature , neighbours , seasons , street
