Mindful Bushwalk with
John Seed and Betsy Faen
John Seed and Betsy
Faen will once again lead a mindful bushwalk at Deep Creek (Narrabeen)
on September 16th.
We will meet at the Deep
Creek dog exercise area (drive in to final parking lot) at 10:00 am. Deep Creek
is off the Wakehurst Parkway, on the left before you
get to Narrabeen, if you’re driving down from Oxford
Falls.
After a brief
introduction to the practice, we will walk in silence. There will be a couple
of stops to stand and take in our surroundings with all of our senses, and then
arrive at the waterfall rocks around 11:00, do a short meditation there, and
have lunch together.(end of silence)
After lunch John will
talk about our connection to the earth and facilitate some experiential deep
ecology processes.
We will then complete
a loop, with the trail taking in views over Narrabeen
Lagoon and over to the sea. We should get back by 3pm.
Some parts of the
track can be very muddy, wet and slippery, so wear suitable shoes and clothes.
Older children who are ok with periods of silence are welcome, but this one
probably isn't the best for littlies. This walk is suitable for those of
reasonable fitness. It isn’t too hard, but there are a couple of steep places.
Meditating in nature,
and walking with all the senses attuned to the environment (instead of
chatting) can be a beautiful experience.
Bring a lunch and
water. There will be an opportunity to give optional dana (donations) to John’s work.
We won’t go if it’s
raining. If unsure, or if you’re running a little bit late, call Betsy on 0403
871 605.
MINDFUL
BUSHWALK
Intro
– Paul’s love of the bush, meditating outside.
The
purpose is to enjoy the walking and to be in the present moment.
Walk
slowly, in silence, using all your senses.
Feeling
very present in the body.
Aware of your breathing and your walking.
Walking
not to arrive, but just to enjoy the walking.
Thich Nhat
Hanh: Walk in a way that we only print peace and
serenity on the earth. Become aware of the contact between your feet and the
earth – as if you were kissing the earth with your feet. “Every step makes a
flower bloom under our feet.”
Not
caught up in our usual worries about the past or future, but like a child in
nature –
joyful, alive, fully present and
awake to the beauty around you.
From
time to time, when we see something beautiful, we may want to stop and look at
it
Adopt
a receptive, non-grasping attitude. Let things come to YOU.
Open
to the full range of sensory experience:
LOOKING:
At forms, shapes, variety of colours (greens), patterns – dancing shadows on
rocks, light on the water, ripples.
Look
up – under trees, at clouds, birds. Watch the wind in the branches.
Look
down – the myriad detail of insects, lichen on rocks, tiny plants, fish and
frogs.
HEARING:
Birds, insects, wind, water, dogs, people, planes, cars, rain.
Sounds
near and far. Let your awareness go out as far as the furthest sounds.
FEELING:
Textures – bark, leaves, grass, rocks, earth, water, moss:
Rough,
smooth, soft, prickly, sharp, spongy, hot, cold, wet, dry…
Become
aware of the sun and breeze on your skin.
Try
LEANING against a tree. What does that feel like?
Feel
the earth beneath you, supporting you.
Imagine
you have deep roots in the earth. Feel the energy from the earth in your feet.
SMELLING:
Flowers, trees, earth, rocks…
As you
walk, become aware of your body moving, your feet lifting and placing on the
ground.
MINDFUL
EXCERCISES IN BUSH
10
DIRECTION GAZE (ZEN)
Wide
gaze, soft focus. Peripheral vision.
Take in
the big picture.
LOOK
UP – at trees, clouds, birds.
BREATHE
in. Notice your connection with the air.
How
everything else is also breathing.
We are
part of a BIGGER PICTURE.
LISTEN
to the wind, running water, birds… Sounds near and far.
Let
your consciousness go OUT to distant sounds, distant vistas.
How
far does your hearing go?
How
far does your AWARENESS go?
MICRO
VIEW
Stay
in one spot – focus on detail.
‘MAGNIFYING
GLASS’: look under the water, watch the fish, insects. See the little zen gardens of moss, rocks and
tiny plants.
Notice
all the life that goes on in one little area.
The
INTERCONNECTIONS of insects, plants, birds, fungi, dirt, water, fish, frogs…