Theme/Mantra: “What does my guttural voice sound like?”
Reading:
Witness by Denise Levertov
Sometimes the mountain
is hidden from me in veils
of cloud, sometimes
I am hidden from the mountain
in veils of inattention, apathy, fatigue,
when I forget or refuse to go
down to the shore or a few yards
up the road, on a clear day,
to reconfirm
that witnessing presence.
Meditation:
Focusing on Intent
Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
Inhale and repeat to yourself silently, “My body is strong and supple.”
Exhale and repeat “My mind is clear.”
Repeat this for 4-5 breaths.
Then Inhale and repeat to yourself “My spirit is filled with power, love and wisdom.”
Exhale and repeat “All in equal measure.”
Repeat for 4-5 breaths.
Be aware when you are finished of your entire being filled with this intention.
Physical Movement:
Perhaps one of the best movements for today would be to dance to the song?
Perhaps even find a place to scream- deeply - from the depths- finding that voice in you that you maybe never heard before.
(Find a space and let your body and voice freely move)
But in case you want another option:
Stretching
Sit on the ground with your legs straight out and spread as far open as possible.
Keep your spine erect, without arching your back.
On an inhale reach your hands up to the sky, palms facing in.
Clasp your hands and on the exhale bend at the waste over your right leg.
There will be a natural curve to you back, but keep it straight for as long as you can.
If you can, hold either side of your shin. If you can, clasp your right foot.
Hold that position for 2 deep breaths, allowing your chest to settle closer to your upper thigh with each exhale.
Then on an inhale, sit up straight reaching to the sky again.
Repeat on the Left side.
Reflection:
That voice. The first time I heard that voice about 50 seconds in (on the song), “and he fills it only halfway before I even…” -- it took my breath away. That guttural expression of sound- of passion and strength and giving it all. Wow. I am inspired and challenged- to find that voice in me. When and where do I find space and time to get to that level of rawness? Levertov’s poem gets at it from a more subtle place. Finding that mountain- seeing it. It is there, whether I go out to look at it or not. But man, why don’t I go look for it more often?
And , I just love this song by Suzanne Vega. The snippets of life. Seeing life around us through the most ordinary of behaviors, and finding them sacred. That is a gift. Has anyone ever said to you “It is always nice to see you.”? With that intentionality? Or have you ever said that to anyone else?
Song: Tom’s Diner (cover) by AnnenMayKantereit
Lyrics:
I am sitting in the morning
At the diner on the corner
I am waiting at the counter
For the man to pour the coffee
And he fills it only halfway
And before I even argue
He is looking out the window
At somebody coming in
"It is always nice to see you"
Says the man behind the counter
To the woman who has come in
She is shaking her umbrella
And I look the other way
As they are kissing their hellos
And I'm pretending not to see them
And instead I pour the milk
I open up the paper
There's a story of an actor
Who had died while he was drinking
It was no one I had heard of
And I'm turning to the horoscope
And looking for the funnies
When I'm feeling someone watching me
And so I raise my head
There's a woman on the outside
Looking inside, does she see me?
No she does not really see me
'Cause she sees her own reflection
And I'm trying not to notice
That she's hitching up her skirt
And while she's straightening her stockings
Her hair has gotten wet
Oh, this rain, it will continue
Through the morning as I'm listening
To the bells of the cathedral
I am thinking of your voice
And of the midnight picnic
Once upon a time before the rain began
And I finish up my coffee
And it's time to catch the train
Until Tomorrow- Peace