11 Jan, 2019
The Essence of the Journey
Happy New Year! I hope you've had an opportunity to relax and unwind.
I've enjoyed a break at home, the no plan kind of plan where you have the freedom to gently flow with the mood of the day. It didn't come without a bit of a fight from the mind however. My thoughts were saying "You should be doing this", "What about that to do list?" but there was something quite strong within that was not going to be controlled by these thoughts. Gradually the mind settled down and I managed to drop into a pretty relaxed state. I'm grateful for that and ready to begin this year feeling refreshed and recharged. How about you?
I did a lot of creative things these holidays, including making these colourful mandalas from wool and sticks. It was a meditative activity that I enjoyed with both adults and children. For me, the beauty of engaging with creative tasks and making things, is the connections I make whilst immersed in the activity.
What I noticed In making these mandalas, was that each time a new color was woven, the feeling of the whole mandala changed completely. If you planned what you wanted your mandala to look like from the start, you were working in the realm of the known - the realm of the mind. The trouble with that, was that you could judge it as right/wrong, good/bad if it didn't turn out according to your plan or expectations.
My process showed me again and again that it was best to do one colour, sit back and take it in, then choose the next colour. More often than not, the next colour would choose itself - somehow you just knew that this was the one. This way of working was more in the realm of the unknown; staying present, not knowing what's next. The realm of the unknown was far more exciting, watching the mandala grow and change in surprising ways until it revealed itself in it's finished form.
We so often want to know what's ahead, map it all out and plan accordingly. We want to avoid discomfort or making mistakes at any cost. But what we fail to remember, is that each step is important and has it's purpose in the greater scheme of things. Even discomfort, even those so called mistakes. By stopping and appreciating the small changes that occur with each step, we have time to really absorb the lessons placed in front of us. Each step we take in life comes with an inner transformation, offering us wisdom we can take with us on the next part of the journey.
If you are finding there's a great pressure to create goals and intentions for the new year and know where you are heading, it is good to be reminded there are many ways. Just as the colours of the mandala chose themselves, the next step in your life journey may even be revealed to you - the choiceless choice. Somehow you just know, this is what you need to do. There is also something wonderful about creating intentions and setting sail on the course of your heart's desire. Just don't loose sight that the essence of the journey will always be anchored in your moment to moment reality. Endlessly here and now.
My unplanned holiday did in fact unfold quite beautifully in unexpected ways. Learning to be comfortable in the realm of the unknown and present to the unfolding of life as it happens, allows for a deeper relaxation to take place. At least, this is my experience. Try it for yourself and see :)
Wishing you many happy surprises, as the new year unfolds. Above all, dare to be true to who you know yourself to be! I look forward to working with you again this year.
I've enjoyed a break at home, the no plan kind of plan where you have the freedom to gently flow with the mood of the day. It didn't come without a bit of a fight from the mind however. My thoughts were saying "You should be doing this", "What about that to do list?" but there was something quite strong within that was not going to be controlled by these thoughts. Gradually the mind settled down and I managed to drop into a pretty relaxed state. I'm grateful for that and ready to begin this year feeling refreshed and recharged. How about you?
I did a lot of creative things these holidays, including making these colourful mandalas from wool and sticks. It was a meditative activity that I enjoyed with both adults and children. For me, the beauty of engaging with creative tasks and making things, is the connections I make whilst immersed in the activity.
What I noticed In making these mandalas, was that each time a new color was woven, the feeling of the whole mandala changed completely. If you planned what you wanted your mandala to look like from the start, you were working in the realm of the known - the realm of the mind. The trouble with that, was that you could judge it as right/wrong, good/bad if it didn't turn out according to your plan or expectations.
My process showed me again and again that it was best to do one colour, sit back and take it in, then choose the next colour. More often than not, the next colour would choose itself - somehow you just knew that this was the one. This way of working was more in the realm of the unknown; staying present, not knowing what's next. The realm of the unknown was far more exciting, watching the mandala grow and change in surprising ways until it revealed itself in it's finished form.
We so often want to know what's ahead, map it all out and plan accordingly. We want to avoid discomfort or making mistakes at any cost. But what we fail to remember, is that each step is important and has it's purpose in the greater scheme of things. Even discomfort, even those so called mistakes. By stopping and appreciating the small changes that occur with each step, we have time to really absorb the lessons placed in front of us. Each step we take in life comes with an inner transformation, offering us wisdom we can take with us on the next part of the journey.
If you are finding there's a great pressure to create goals and intentions for the new year and know where you are heading, it is good to be reminded there are many ways. Just as the colours of the mandala chose themselves, the next step in your life journey may even be revealed to you - the choiceless choice. Somehow you just know, this is what you need to do. There is also something wonderful about creating intentions and setting sail on the course of your heart's desire. Just don't loose sight that the essence of the journey will always be anchored in your moment to moment reality. Endlessly here and now.
My unplanned holiday did in fact unfold quite beautifully in unexpected ways. Learning to be comfortable in the realm of the unknown and present to the unfolding of life as it happens, allows for a deeper relaxation to take place. At least, this is my experience. Try it for yourself and see :)
Wishing you many happy surprises, as the new year unfolds. Above all, dare to be true to who you know yourself to be! I look forward to working with you again this year.