The Deep Water - painting by Adam Clarke (copyright)It is important after an exercise such as Clearing the River that you take time to reflect on the process of change within yourself. As a group, the next time we gathered, we shared what had happened for each of us since beginning the journey. In the space of a couple of weeks, significant creative shoots were already growing. For some, it had opened up new creative possibilities - a new book begun, an offer of television work, a return to old poetry notebooks and a renewed enthusiasm. For others, and this includes myself, the process was more painful - headaches, blocked sinuses, sore throats - all symptoms of aggravated or stiffled creativity. Some shared that although they had not started to write, they were more in touch with where and how they were blocking their expression, for examples, being too busy or not having space. What was noticeable was that for everyone, the signs of change were already surfacing - ad when change begins to happen, it is important to re-awaken ourselves to listening deeply.
The exercise I chose to share with the group at this stage was aimed at developing the three core practices of breathing, stillness and listening. When we undergo a deep journey in our lives, we must equip ourselves with the tools and talismans necessary - in this case, the ability to hear ourselves, the world around us, the unspoken guides...
The exercise is simple, and encourages us to 'tune into' the essence of the words, the vibration of our creative expression. I began with a brief introduction to the three core principles above and followed this with a simple 'energy clearing' colour visualisation, working on the body and "chakras". Once this was completed, we moved into a deeper relaxation and meditation to find a 'guide' for our journey. At the end of this meditation, I quietly encouraged each participant to allow the guide to lead them to a place outside where they could listen...
Whale Cottage, where Wild Women was born, had the benefit of being in the middle of the Lake District, near to fells and a beautiful river. The participants went outside and found a place nearby to sit and listen. For twenty minutes, each person sat and listened deeply to what was around them, and within them, using all the six senses and during this time, wrote down all that they 'heard' and then re-listen through the words they had written, using this to shape a short poem. Then they were to ask their guide for a gift from that place - something that caught their eye or called them in - maybe a stone, a feather, a blade of grass - a talisman to guide them.
When we gathered back in the room, we each placed our gift on the table and shared our writing and our 'gift'. The writing was beautiful, each piece unique and special and moving. It was a precious moment where we each felt the treasure held in our words and the beauty of our own creativity. The tenderness and respect that was held in that moment was immense and powerful. When I look back in my journal, I find one entry for this day:
"we all felt the stillness and connection. This will be a good group - I can feel it..."
And it proved true!
MEDITATION FOR MEETING YOUR GUIDE
Lie or sit comfortably. Bring your attention to your breath, feeling your belly rise and fall. With each breath, let go of any tension or tiredness, letting it flow harmlessly into the earth beneath you. Let any thoughts or feelings that come drift away with the breath, like pearls rolling off of silk. Keep bringing your attention back to your breath and your body. Beginning with your toes and feet, bring your breath and attention to each part of the body, breathing in softness, warmth and light, allowing it to enter all knotted or impenetrable places, and with the exhalation, release any stress or tension you are holding on to. Do this until you have relaxed every part of your body, from toes to face.
Now, take three large breaths through your nose and out of your mouth, letting go a little more with each breath. Repeat this, but this time, softly close your mouth and on the exhalation, let your lips vibrate a 'hmmmm' sound from deep in your body. Repeat this for eleven cycles of breath. Feel each vibration soften your deep centre. Repeat eleven cycles of soft breath, followed again by eleven deep, vibrating breaths. This is your Wild Woman chant, calling up the deep guide.
As you complete the cycle, you find yourself beside an ocean. You feel the soft breeze on your face, smell brine in your nostrils. You can hear the gulls cry overhead and the soft rise and fall of the waves on the shingle. You notice a woman approaching you, smiling, her arms outstretched to greet you. This is your Wild Woman. She takes your hands gently in yours and holds them. Close your eyes and feel the warmth all around you, feel the love filling you. Ask her what she needs and how you can help her. Listen to her reply. She turns your hand around and places something on your palm. She tells you this is a guiding symbol and how it can help you. Thank her for her gift and get ready to return.
Focus on your breath once again. Be aware of your body as it travels through. Let go of any hardness that it hanging on and breathe in the warmth, the light, the salt air. Feel the earth below you support your body as you let go. Now, take three deep breaths in and out and feel the raw, ocean energy fill you, filling every nerve and cell. Wiggle your toes, wiggle your fingers, scrunch up your face and relax. Take another deep breath in, stretch your arms above your head and let out a big sigh on your exhalation, allowing your arms to drop back to your side. You are now fully present. Breath normally and when you are ready, gently get yourself up, take you notebook and pen and find yourself somewhere quiet outside to write.
Good journeying!
The exercise I chose to share with the group at this stage was aimed at developing the three core practices of breathing, stillness and listening. When we undergo a deep journey in our lives, we must equip ourselves with the tools and talismans necessary - in this case, the ability to hear ourselves, the world around us, the unspoken guides...
The exercise is simple, and encourages us to 'tune into' the essence of the words, the vibration of our creative expression. I began with a brief introduction to the three core principles above and followed this with a simple 'energy clearing' colour visualisation, working on the body and "chakras". Once this was completed, we moved into a deeper relaxation and meditation to find a 'guide' for our journey. At the end of this meditation, I quietly encouraged each participant to allow the guide to lead them to a place outside where they could listen...
Whale Cottage, where Wild Women was born, had the benefit of being in the middle of the Lake District, near to fells and a beautiful river. The participants went outside and found a place nearby to sit and listen. For twenty minutes, each person sat and listened deeply to what was around them, and within them, using all the six senses and during this time, wrote down all that they 'heard' and then re-listen through the words they had written, using this to shape a short poem. Then they were to ask their guide for a gift from that place - something that caught their eye or called them in - maybe a stone, a feather, a blade of grass - a talisman to guide them.
When we gathered back in the room, we each placed our gift on the table and shared our writing and our 'gift'. The writing was beautiful, each piece unique and special and moving. It was a precious moment where we each felt the treasure held in our words and the beauty of our own creativity. The tenderness and respect that was held in that moment was immense and powerful. When I look back in my journal, I find one entry for this day:
"we all felt the stillness and connection. This will be a good group - I can feel it..."
And it proved true!
MEDITATION FOR MEETING YOUR GUIDE
Lie or sit comfortably. Bring your attention to your breath, feeling your belly rise and fall. With each breath, let go of any tension or tiredness, letting it flow harmlessly into the earth beneath you. Let any thoughts or feelings that come drift away with the breath, like pearls rolling off of silk. Keep bringing your attention back to your breath and your body. Beginning with your toes and feet, bring your breath and attention to each part of the body, breathing in softness, warmth and light, allowing it to enter all knotted or impenetrable places, and with the exhalation, release any stress or tension you are holding on to. Do this until you have relaxed every part of your body, from toes to face.
Now, take three large breaths through your nose and out of your mouth, letting go a little more with each breath. Repeat this, but this time, softly close your mouth and on the exhalation, let your lips vibrate a 'hmmmm' sound from deep in your body. Repeat this for eleven cycles of breath. Feel each vibration soften your deep centre. Repeat eleven cycles of soft breath, followed again by eleven deep, vibrating breaths. This is your Wild Woman chant, calling up the deep guide.
As you complete the cycle, you find yourself beside an ocean. You feel the soft breeze on your face, smell brine in your nostrils. You can hear the gulls cry overhead and the soft rise and fall of the waves on the shingle. You notice a woman approaching you, smiling, her arms outstretched to greet you. This is your Wild Woman. She takes your hands gently in yours and holds them. Close your eyes and feel the warmth all around you, feel the love filling you. Ask her what she needs and how you can help her. Listen to her reply. She turns your hand around and places something on your palm. She tells you this is a guiding symbol and how it can help you. Thank her for her gift and get ready to return.
Focus on your breath once again. Be aware of your body as it travels through. Let go of any hardness that it hanging on and breathe in the warmth, the light, the salt air. Feel the earth below you support your body as you let go. Now, take three deep breaths in and out and feel the raw, ocean energy fill you, filling every nerve and cell. Wiggle your toes, wiggle your fingers, scrunch up your face and relax. Take another deep breath in, stretch your arms above your head and let out a big sigh on your exhalation, allowing your arms to drop back to your side. You are now fully present. Breath normally and when you are ready, gently get yourself up, take you notebook and pen and find yourself somewhere quiet outside to write.
Good journeying!
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