Wild Weather
We’ve had a storm crossing the UK over the last couple of days, and last night I turned everything off and sat and listened as strong winds pounded the world outside my window. Such an incredible level of awesomeness to feel immersed in, and such a humbling reminder of the strength and power of this natural world that we are so lucky to be part of.
One of the spiritual perspectives that I most love is that of our deep and universal connection. Us, our beautiful planet, all the beings living upon it, and the cosmos. We all share the same energy; a collective consciousness and united one-ness.
This means that, as primed as we are for our comforts, society and modern living, we are also as inherently wild as the world beyond our windows; sometimes we just need the weather to remind us of this fact.
The Weather and I
It’s perhaps of no surprise then that we can have a primal response to the weather, and often experience something of a parallel process. For those in the midsts of their own storms, you may feel unsettled, turbulent, in a whirlwind of thought, stuck in your head, life out of your control. This is the ‘air’ side of your nature out of balance.
If you have a moment today, check in with how you are. Tune in and notice what’s been going on for you. By beginning to consciously ‘track’ yourself you inherently bring about self-awareness, and with self-awareness comes power and choice.
Ask your Self: How am I feeling? What do I need? What have I been neglecting? How can I give myself more attentive space and tender nurturing? Take action on what you receive.
Know that the storm will always pass, but that right now the winds are here with a purpose. They clear, cleanse and sweep away, and provide the opportunity to start anew in the calm that follows
The Earth Breath
If things are feeling unbalanced for you today, try a grounding earth breath (this breath-work can be practiced anywhere, at anytime, but is particularly powerful outside). This breath brings the ‘earth’ element of our nature to the fore and is the antidote when we are feeling overly airy.
Let it be your beautiful reminder that we are always supported by mother earth.
Get lovely and comfortable sitting or laying down.
Flutter your eyes closed.
Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your nose.
Feel the parts of your body that are connected with the earth (chair, bed or floor), imagine roots starting to grow from you in those places.
With each exhale, visualise pushing your roots downwards and outwards, stretching deeply and widely into the planet.
With each inhale, visualise drawing up all the nutrients and goodness from the soil and imbibing them back into your body and being.
Feel our earth mother gently cradling and anchoring you, calling you back home.
You can also do the earth breath when you’re on the move. Simply become present and conscious of your feet connecting with the earth as you walk. Mindfully feel the two meet. Breathe in through the nose and out through the nose, and settle in to the rhythm of shared movement. Allow yourself to be supported and held, and reminded that you are firmly and most definitely here.
I hope this may be helpful and timely for some of you.