“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each” – Henry David Thoreau
Winter in Melbourne (Australia) is so cold. Too cold. Miserable. Stagnant. Wet. I have found in recent years that I don’t enjoy the Winter as I did when I snow skied years ago, I am naturally much more of a Summer lightness-and-warmth-seeker. And so, I have gradually begun the shift in my life, my meditation practice, my work as a meditation teacher, to better align with the season of Winter.
Think: SLOWING, REFLECTING, REALIGNING
What does this mean? well.. I schedule fewer classes and more time for writing and learning. I also shift my personal morning rituals to embrace the art of slow living, and I wanted to share some of these with you …
Quiet Mind Meditation WINTER Schedule:
EXPLORING MEDITATION (WINTER)
25 June – 30 July : 5.00pm – 6.30pm : Sandringham
A six-week course for those new to meditation or seeking to reconnect. We explore a range of techniques, each week building our awareness and practice.
MEDITATION COLLECTIVE
Sundays 7.00-8.00pm: Sandringham
This is nourishing, warm and friendly for my soul, and hopefully yours. Different teachers will be gracing us with their practice in coming months and this is your opportunity to seal the closure of the weekend, in preparation for the week ahead. Our focus is on quieting and calming practices.
CORPORATE WELLNESS
Winter has always been a busy time for sharing mindfulness and meditation on-site, as a way to engage and inspire healthy choices for mind and body; to self-manage stress, improve creativity and productivity, and enhance communication and connection.
PRIVATE COACHING
Enhancing or commencing a personal meditation practice, meeting where you are and supporting your journey.
The Symbolic Meaning of Winter
As the days become darker and longer, and the world around us starts to slow .. we naturally find ourselves mimicking the slower pace. Symbolically and energetically this is the time of the year when we should embrace and welcome the slower rhythm of life for Winter is the season for honoring introspection and reflection.
nature is inviting us to slow and lean inward
Shorter days and chilly nights encourage us to pause and dive into the deep stillness that resides within all of us. In my recent studies of Qigong, and other Eastern traditions, Winter is influenced by the Water element and during this predominantly Yin season we seek to not overly exert mind or body but instead allow ourselves to deeply rest and settle. Yin energy is inward, slow and cold and so there is a focus on enriching yin with:
rest: hibernating, napping in the sunlight, going to sleep earlier and sleeping later
reflection: embracing meditation, writing, journaling, and reading
mindful movement: exercise that leans towards conserving energy yet building strength, such as Qigong, and fluid movement practices like walking meditation or tai chi
nourishment: with slow cooked foods, attending to nature’s harvest of seasonal foods that are sourced locally and freshly such as root vegetables, potatoes, pumpkin, soups and gently warmed casseroles
My Personal Winter Practice
As I choose to move meditatively in harmony with this quiet mind season, I commit to a new morning practice of slow Mindful Awakening, followed a simple morning Qigong practice to nourish and warm my energy, and then I shall settle for my morning meditation. I will share more of these practices over coming days.
As we flow through life let us recognize the unique power and rite of passage that each season gifts us .. from abundance to barrenness, lightness to darkness, expansion, and contraction .. ever flowing, preparing and inspiring us towards a new season
My Winter Projects
*nourishing my eCourse and website as they flow into new form
*writing my book (yes, book .. me!)
*sharing the NEW Quiet Mind Mindful Movement
*preparing for the Meditation Teacher Symposium (in the Northern Winter; Sedona 2018)
*taking a short break to the Island of the Gods
*settling on my Spring class schedule