Theme/Mantra: “Just for a moment, let’s be still.”
Reading:
The Goose by Muriel Spark
Do you want to know why I am alive today?
I will tell you.
Early on, during the food-shortage,
Some of us were miraculously presented
Each with a goose that laid a golden egg.
Myself, I killed the cackling thing and I ate it.
Alas, many and many of the other recipients
Died of gold-dust poisoning.
Meditation:
Body Relaxation
Lie down in a comfortable position.
We are going to move down your body and relax it one part at a time.
Let your body relax into the surface on which you are lying.
As you name each body part, be aware of how it feels, and then release any tension you might be
feeling there. Take your time, and don't rush the process.
Start at the top of your head, with your scalp. Your ears.
Relax your mouth and jaw (open and close your mouth if need be- and shake your jaw around a little until you have released all tension there.
Move down to your neck and shoulder.
Feel the muscles. Relax them and let go of any tightness.
On through your torso, all of your ribs in your ribcage, and down your arms, from biceps to your forearms.
Your hands and fingertips.
To your waist. Your pelvis. Your hips. Your sit bones.
Feel your upper thighs- move the muscles to stillness and full relaxation.
Your knees. Your shins.
Feel your ankles and your feet, all the way to your toes.
In this space of stillness from head to toe- take as many deep breaths as you want.
Listen to the stillness of your body. Feel it. Revel in it.
Physical Movement:
The goal of this exercise is to focus on the stillness, not the movement- but we will experiment with movement in order to contrast.
Stand where there is space around you to extend your arms in all directions.
Keep your feet planted in one place. Take a deep inhale and shake your body- flail and move- reaching, shaking, every part of your body that you can.
Then… stop.
Breathe deeply and hold your breath as you- hold the stillness.
Pay attention to the difference in movement- and stillness.
Repeat as you desire. Allow your body to express itself.
Experience physical freedom- and stillness.
Reflection:
Our culture is a busy one. Movement seems to be the norm- and constant movement the expectation. If not our bodies, then our eyes, or our brain waves, our thoughts. Movement to achieve certain things.
To slow down. Be still. Is sometimes hard for us. To stop that leg from shaking, the mind from racing, the fingers from tapping- all take discipline sometimes- but is so very necessary for our ability to listen. We can always be listening, but there is a different layer of listening in the stillness.
It takes creativity to find ways to be still and listen. And in that space, we find life changes. Looks and feels different.
I chose Muriel Sparks Poem for this week, because I love the practicality of her choices in survival. Life requires food, not gold. Somehow I think the practice of stillness in our lives needs to be like food. It will serve us well in the end, perhaps better than the phrenetic movement (or accumulation of gold).
Song: Just for a Moment, Let’s be Still- by the Head and the Heart
Lyrics:
You can get lost in the music for hours, honey,
You can get lost in a room.
We can play music for hours and hours
But the sun'll still be coming up soon
The world's just spinning
A little too fast
If things don't slow down soon we might not last.
So just for the moment, let's be still.
You can get lost in the music for hours, honey,
You can get lost in a room.
We can play music for hours and hours
But the sun'll still be coming up soon.
The world's not forgiving
Of everyone's fears.
The days turn into months, the months turn into years.
So just for the moment, let's be still
They're tearing down
So we can rebuild
And all this time
Is just circles in my mind
So just for a moment,
Just for one moment,
Just for a moment let's be still
Just for a moment let's be still
Just for a moment let's be still
Just for a moment let's be still.
The world's just spinning
A little too fast
If things don't slow down soon we might not last.
The world's not forgiving
Of everyone's fears.
The days turn into months the months turn into years.
So just for a moment, let's be still
Just for a moment let's be still.
Just for a moment let's be still.
Just for a moment let's be still.
Just for a moment let's be still.
Just for a moment let's be still.
Just for a moment let's be still.
Until Tomorrow, Peace.
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