A monthly cycle: nature inspired meditation and movementThere is a love of both movement and stillness. Our experiences weave active engagement and spirit-joy contemplation together. Nature is at the heart of all offerings - the Natural world itself, and our own inner nature.
Nature guides us on each process, connecting us with spirit of place and cultivating connection with country. Following a seasonal emphasis, we gather monthly at a time near the new moon for nature inspired meditation practice. This regular session highlights the joy and dedication of regular immersion in nature. If you are curious to explore and apply a diverse range of meditative practices - these sessions are for you! We generally have seated, movement, dynamic meditative practices. The sessions are accessible and interactive. Our seated meditation soaks up the stillness of nature and self, and brings practices of breath-connection, mindfulness, heart-led enquiry, somatic (body) led enquiry to our meditation practices. Walking meditation and yatra are important aspect of each session. Dynamic and yoga inspired body movement meditation practices connect our full selves to the meditative experience. The sessions are accessible and interactive and create a space for people from all walks of life. The practical session is outdoors and is a opportunity for rejuvenation, gentle curiosity, open heart and perspective that can come through deep connection with self and natural environment. Saturday's near the new moon. 9:15-12 noon Location: King Valley, Victoria. At a site in nature, determined each month. Refer to FB and Instagram for monthly updates. Cost: This offering from The Natural Space to Be invites a dana contribution. Scroll through to bottom of page for info. |
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Reflections from Monthly Nature Meditation and Movement...
July:
Weekly Nature Meditation & Movement: Listening to the land.
July in our part of the world is middle of winter and wet. We have been returning, time and again to our 'homespace' that we are nurturing at Little Paradise Falls. It is a interesting experience to revist and get to know. To interact in different ways, with different influences and practices, in the same natural space. A deepening of knowing is being developed.
Listening to Nature was one of the immersions this month - interacting with the songs, sounds, tone evident in the birds, wind, leaves, water. We listened deeper still - with our whole body and open mind and soaked up the opportunity for unique discovery and teachings from the listening to the land itself.
Our own inner nature was a focus point for deep listening too... experiencing both the noise and quiet that is within.
The link below is something I listened to recently... I must say the initial scrunch of footsteps on country, the title itself and personal knowingness of Alice Springs country where it was taped, spoke as strongly to me as the rest of the audio. www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/listening-to-the-land/7668484
Weekly Nature Meditation & Movement: Listening to the land.
July in our part of the world is middle of winter and wet. We have been returning, time and again to our 'homespace' that we are nurturing at Little Paradise Falls. It is a interesting experience to revist and get to know. To interact in different ways, with different influences and practices, in the same natural space. A deepening of knowing is being developed.
Listening to Nature was one of the immersions this month - interacting with the songs, sounds, tone evident in the birds, wind, leaves, water. We listened deeper still - with our whole body and open mind and soaked up the opportunity for unique discovery and teachings from the listening to the land itself.
Our own inner nature was a focus point for deep listening too... experiencing both the noise and quiet that is within.
The link below is something I listened to recently... I must say the initial scrunch of footsteps on country, the title itself and personal knowingness of Alice Springs country where it was taped, spoke as strongly to me as the rest of the audio. www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/listening-to-the-land/7668484
June:
Walking Yatra: As the weather here in the South East of Australia cooled, our meditative practice got active. A simple translation of the Sanskrit word Yatra is pilgrimage. Walking and pilgrimage - just our type of meditation practice! The steady rhythm of footsteps journeying through the bush allowed for a freedom, a direct experience of body, breath, heart. It was stillness in movement.
And as you can see by the bare feet in the pictures below our temperatures still allowed a very direct connection with the earth on some days, on others we were well wrapped in beanies, boots and gloves!
Walking Yatra: As the weather here in the South East of Australia cooled, our meditative practice got active. A simple translation of the Sanskrit word Yatra is pilgrimage. Walking and pilgrimage - just our type of meditation practice! The steady rhythm of footsteps journeying through the bush allowed for a freedom, a direct experience of body, breath, heart. It was stillness in movement.
And as you can see by the bare feet in the pictures below our temperatures still allowed a very direct connection with the earth on some days, on others we were well wrapped in beanies, boots and gloves!
May:
Every other week we have been revisiting Paradise Falls, a special place full of beauty and earth spirit. We have sat on the cliff tops and gazed out at the expansive horizon. We have nestled in and been enveloped by the earth of the sacred-rock overhang that is below the falls. We have seen the rain cycle in action, one week not a drop of water was spilling over the falls, the next a cascade of water droplets playing with gravity was the focus of our open-eyed meditation. The nada yoga chorus of the Lyrebird welcomed us, and the sounds of our singing voices joined its varied song. I feel privilege and gratitude to share the diverse experiences of this weekly practice.
Every other week we have been revisiting Paradise Falls, a special place full of beauty and earth spirit. We have sat on the cliff tops and gazed out at the expansive horizon. We have nestled in and been enveloped by the earth of the sacred-rock overhang that is below the falls. We have seen the rain cycle in action, one week not a drop of water was spilling over the falls, the next a cascade of water droplets playing with gravity was the focus of our open-eyed meditation. The nada yoga chorus of the Lyrebird welcomed us, and the sounds of our singing voices joined its varied song. I feel privilege and gratitude to share the diverse experiences of this weekly practice.
April
Weekly Nature Inspired Meditation: this month we take our cues from the deciduous trees shedding their leaves, the stillness of landscape, the cooling temperatures and the softened light beauty perspective often experienced in our part of the world in Autumn. Gentle nourishing asana with 'release' as our mantra. Sited in a small bushy alcove (discovered on a side track, in the pursuit of the elusive 'perfect leaves falling autumn tree' under which to practice). Not an autumn tree in sight, but eucalypt bushland all around. A soaring eagle gazed on from above, our animal spirit guide teachers being the nibbling little ants sharing the earth upon which we lay.
Weekly Nature Inspired Meditation: this month we take our cues from the deciduous trees shedding their leaves, the stillness of landscape, the cooling temperatures and the softened light beauty perspective often experienced in our part of the world in Autumn. Gentle nourishing asana with 'release' as our mantra. Sited in a small bushy alcove (discovered on a side track, in the pursuit of the elusive 'perfect leaves falling autumn tree' under which to practice). Not an autumn tree in sight, but eucalypt bushland all around. A soaring eagle gazed on from above, our animal spirit guide teachers being the nibbling little ants sharing the earth upon which we lay.
March:
A rainy shift into Autumn was joyously welcomed, as swirling wind gusts, driving rain and misty wet weather coated our final Weekly Nature Meditation session for Term 1. We created sacred space at a remote lakeside picnic shelter: our candles, incense and om's merging nicely with the wood gathering exploits of locals preparing for a upcoming work breakup. A few deep settling breaths focused us beyond the crashing of firewood as it was unloaded and we dropped into a state of quiet - and at times distracted - seated meditation. Later, we wove the firewood stores into a gratitude mandala, celebrating that there is space for both chainsaw wielding safety-high-vis clad folk and Buddha-posture-like seated folk in our diverse world.
A rainy shift into Autumn was joyously welcomed, as swirling wind gusts, driving rain and misty wet weather coated our final Weekly Nature Meditation session for Term 1. We created sacred space at a remote lakeside picnic shelter: our candles, incense and om's merging nicely with the wood gathering exploits of locals preparing for a upcoming work breakup. A few deep settling breaths focused us beyond the crashing of firewood as it was unloaded and we dropped into a state of quiet - and at times distracted - seated meditation. Later, we wove the firewood stores into a gratitude mandala, celebrating that there is space for both chainsaw wielding safety-high-vis clad folk and Buddha-posture-like seated folk in our diverse world.
February :
Our Weekly Immersions: Nature Inspired Meditation have been wonderful - celebrating the sensation of summer swims. With the hot Australian Summer Sun shining down upon our sessions, imagine the delight of the body sinking into refreshing river water after a energetic Kundalini inspired kriya!
And then a seated meditation immediately after immersion, water droplets drying on our receptive skin.
Meditate on that! :)
Our Weekly Immersions: Nature Inspired Meditation have been wonderful - celebrating the sensation of summer swims. With the hot Australian Summer Sun shining down upon our sessions, imagine the delight of the body sinking into refreshing river water after a energetic Kundalini inspired kriya!
And then a seated meditation immediately after immersion, water droplets drying on our receptive skin.
Meditate on that! :)
Fees / probono / dana koha.
Some experiences at Nature's Counsel - the Natural Space to Be are facilitated probono (no charge), others invite a dana/koha offering. Some will have a set fee. The format will be clearly outlined for each offering.
Like most of Nature’s Counsel offerings, the fee’s related to these sessions are done probono and/or via dana koha.
Dana is a Pali Buddhist word meaning 'generosity, or donation given to the teacher'. Koha is a Maori word meaning 'gift from the heart', and has cultural and ceremonial origins and practices. It involves gifting something tangible, this is accompanied by intangible expressions (word, ceremony, effort) of gratitude.
The teacher gives freely of her/his time, and that flow is reciprocated by the Dana/Koha. It is a cyclical interchange between one person and the other. The offering of dana/koha is a practice in its own right and I value the opportunity to practice dana/koha with you.
Both are an expression of gratitude. No one tells you what to contribute, so the onus is on you to deeply inquire into the practice of dana. It is noted that the concept can be challenging, at the same time it can prompt important learning and experience. There is a lot to give and receive (not just in terms of $!). It is this reflection that I have valued the most in my experiences with dana/koha.
Some experiences at Nature's Counsel - the Natural Space to Be are facilitated probono (no charge), others invite a dana/koha offering. Some will have a set fee. The format will be clearly outlined for each offering.
Like most of Nature’s Counsel offerings, the fee’s related to these sessions are done probono and/or via dana koha.
Dana is a Pali Buddhist word meaning 'generosity, or donation given to the teacher'. Koha is a Maori word meaning 'gift from the heart', and has cultural and ceremonial origins and practices. It involves gifting something tangible, this is accompanied by intangible expressions (word, ceremony, effort) of gratitude.
The teacher gives freely of her/his time, and that flow is reciprocated by the Dana/Koha. It is a cyclical interchange between one person and the other. The offering of dana/koha is a practice in its own right and I value the opportunity to practice dana/koha with you.
Both are an expression of gratitude. No one tells you what to contribute, so the onus is on you to deeply inquire into the practice of dana. It is noted that the concept can be challenging, at the same time it can prompt important learning and experience. There is a lot to give and receive (not just in terms of $!). It is this reflection that I have valued the most in my experiences with dana/koha.
