Slow Faith

It is officially solstice. I have spent the last couple of days in the rain, sitting in the woods. Yesterday, as I was sitting on my blanket in my rain coat, I listened carefully as the large droplets came down around and upon me. The other day, not in the rain, I sat there, in my special spot, that I have returned to regularly over the last few years, for a full hour and a half. It is easy to meditate in the woods. Gradually, you become part of the landscape. I noticed how the frogs would croak in a pattern, a moving rotation. One would croak for a while, then become silent as one several yards away would take over the song. They seemed over time, to move around me in a wide circle. Over the next couple of days, walking around the property and down the road, birds would be noticeably closer to me before they would fly away, and I could only explain this as that they knew I had become more in tune with nature after my time sitting and resonating with the environment of the woods.

This is the magic of the healing power of nature. There is so much to observe, and there is endless life to appreciate. The more time that goes by, the more peaceful we become. Thus, upon having this discovery, I was strengthened in what I already know on some level. That time slowing down is very valuably spent. As we spend time with our books, or just sitting in silence with our partner, we become clearer and more full of hope. I have been challenged lately with the desire to pursue getting many things done and expending my efforts completely in accomplishing tasks such as working out, volunteering, cleaning and organizing, or spending time with my niece or friends that need me. It seems I have lost touch a little bit with myself and my desire to build a faith-based practice around writing and meditation. I imagine, that if I spend more time in meditation, and with nature, that I will come to the resolution that meditation and reflective writing are evermore valued practices than dealing with the recycle and trash, cleaning the bathrooms, getting in a good workout, or childcare. You may agree, all of these other things that I try to get to that never seem to go away, are valid experiences to have. It is partly the pressure and quantity of accomplishment that I place on myself, and the frame of mind that I am in, between and during said activities.

Now, I am actively seeking meditation and time in nature just being. It can feel like a challenge this time of year with the rain, winds, and cooler temperatures, but I have a nice new winter coat that keeps away the chill and the rain. There are dry days and the winds come and go. I also experience slowness at my desk in my little trailer, surrounded by small things that make me happy, and with a kitty sleeping nearby. My dogs and cats are incredible at grounding me and pulling me towards a resonance of nature. So my lessons are rich this solstice; I am welcoming a slowing down. I need to consciously cultivate this in my life. There must be a way to move gracefully through the chores and obstacles in my life, as well. I wish to make more room for my reflective writing practice and meditation. This is my desire for this new year as we begin to turn and reach for the light.