Becoming an Earth Avatar
Welcome, fellow travelers on this journey through Earth's labyrinth, where each step taken in awareness can lead us from the shadows of Earth Misery towards the light of Earth Harmony to become an Earth Avatar. Today, I want to share with you some practices that have not only guided me but have also transformed my connection with the natural world and myself.
“ The Art of Inner Vision”
Discernment, my friends, is not just about making choices; it's about seeing with the mind's eye, beyond the superficial, into the heart of matters. It's like the seasoned detective who, amidst the hustle of a city, feels an almost imperceptible nudge when something's amiss. This isn't magic; it's the result of consistent practice, of engaging daily with the world around us to refine our inner vision.
Bert, a mentor in the ways of Earth, taught that we begin life with a pure, unfiltered vision. Yet, as life unfolds, layers of experiences—traumas, societal pressures, personal victories, and defeats—cloud this clarity, what EcoPsychology calls "Earth Misery." Here's how we can reclaim that clarity:
Wide Angle Vision (WAV): Seeing Beyond the Keyhole
There's a kind of seeing that transcends the mere act of looking; it's known as Wide Angle Vision. Think of it as opening a door to a richer, more interconnected world. We're often schooled in the art of concentration, trained to hone in on specifics, to dissect the minutiae. This relentless push towards focus, while useful, fosters what EcoPsychology calls "Earth Misery"—a disconnect from the vibrant tapestry of life around us.
Imagine you're always peering through a keyhole, seeing only a sliver of what's truly out there. That's tunnel vision, and it's how many of us end up living, missing the forest for the trees. But with Wide Angle Vision, we learn to embrace the whole landscape, to soften our gaze, to see with what some might call "soft eyes."
Picture this: a deer, grazing in the quietude of the woods. She's at peace, her senses spread out like a net. Suddenly, there's a snap, a twig breaking. Her head lifts, her eyes sharpen on the source of the sound, pinpointing potential danger. Once assured, she returns to her wide-eyed watchfulness, her vision a gentle embrace of the entire environment once more.
This is the essence of WAV. It's about seeing the bigger picture, allowing ourselves the luxury of an open, inclusive perspective. Then, when necessary, we can zoom in, address what needs immediate attention, and smoothly transition back to our expansive view. It's not just about seeing; it's about being - being fully present in the world, attuned to its rhythms and surprises.
**Practice**: Stand with your arms outstretched, wiggling your fingers. Now, open your vision to see not just your fingers but the sky, the ground, everything in between. This is WAV, a gateway to a broader, more inclusive perspective. When you walk to your sit spot, practice this. Initially, it might feel strange, but soon it will become as natural as breathing.
So next time you find yourself caught in the tunnel, remember to open your vision, to let your eyes soften, and engage with the world in its full, glorious breadth. That's living with Wide Angle Vision, and it's a step towards a more harmonious existence.
“Meditation: The Breath to Heart”
Meditation, my friends, isn't about turning your mind into a blank slate; rather, it's about tuning into the quiet, often ignored, voice deep within you. Imagine sitting down with yourself, not to argue or critique, but simply to watch the parade of thoughts as they march by. This isn't about stopping the parade; it's about letting it happen in the background while you find peace in the stillness.
Now, let me share a gem I've been practicing for years – the “Breath to Heart Meditation”. This isn't your typical sit-down-and-shut-up kind of meditation. It's something you start learning while lying down, but the real magic happens when it becomes part of you, like your heartbeat or your breath.
Here’s how I see it: life isn’t always kind enough to give us a quiet corner to meditate. Ever been in a heated argument or faced an unexpected challenge? That's where this technique shines.
Tom Brown Jr., a man who knows a thing or two about listening to the earth, pointed out that traditional meditation poses can be as useful as a chocolate teapot in some situations. His teachings have inspired this method, which is all about getting to that serene state, no matter where you are or what's going on around you.
The Breath to Heart Meditation transcends traditional practices by offering a method that can be seamlessly integrated into daily life, providing peace, clarity, and resilience no matter where you are or what you're facing. It's not just about finding peace in stillness but about carrying that peace within you, ready to be accessed at any moment, embodying the true essence of "The Earthway".
Steps of the Meditation:
1. Lay Down in Comfort:
o Find a comfortable position, whether on a bed if you're alone or on a camping pad with something soft under your head in a group setting.
2. Muscle Tension and Release:
o Begin by tensing every muscle in your body—face, hands, neck, back, legs, arms, stomach—everything. Then relax. Repeat this several times to become more aware of areas of tension in your body.
3. Body Awareness:
o With your mind's eye, travel through each section of your body. Feel your hands, arms, feet, legs, back, stomach, head, neck—every part. This step deepens your body awareness, helping you notice and address any tension.
4. Pain Visualization:
o Focus on any part of your body that's painful or uncomfortable. Give that pain a shape in your mind. Now, morph that shape into a circle. Visualize this circle shrinking down to a pinpoint and then disappearing completely. If you can make this pain vanish momentarily, why not forever?
5. Purifying Light Visualization:
o Start at your feet, imagining a bright, purifying white light entering through your toes, gradually filling your calves, knees, and thighs. Let this light move up into your torso, cleansing your lungs, heart, and all organs. The light then flows into your arms, past the elbows to your hands. Finally, it ascends into your head, filling it completely. Once your entire body is filled with this light, imagine it radiating out through every pore, purifying your being.
6. Floating Experience:
o Begin to feel lighter, as if you could float off the ground. Visualize yourself actually floating, looking down at the room and your body below. Rise through whatever is above you—be it a ceiling or tree canopy—fly outwards, look back at where you came from, take a short flight, and then return gently to your body.
7. Grounding:
o Now feel yourself getting heavier, as though the earth below is gently pulling you down. You don't go underground but feel rooted, deeply connected to the earth.
8. The Breath to Heart:
o By now, you should be completely relaxed, in a state your body can return to whenever desired. To give us a trigger, to get us to this place and then be used in any situation, we have this Breath to Heart:
• Take a deep, deep breath.
• Hold it until you feel the blood pulsing in your ears.
• Then, exhale forcefully until your lungs are completely empty, and hold that for several seconds.
• Repeat this sequence two more times.
9. Return:
Gradual Awareness: Slowly bring your awareness back to the physical world, keeping the sense of peace and connection. Wiggle your fingers and toes, take deep breaths, and open your eyes when you feel ready.
This "Breath to Heart" method helps set a mental and physical trigger, allowing you to return to this state of relaxation whenever you need it.
Outcome: With practice, in any situation, you'll be able to take a deep breath, exhale, and come to this centered, meditative state, embodying the essence of moving meditation.
Remember, the real journey is inward, and it's one you can take anytime, anywhere.
The Sit Spot: A Portal to Self and Nature
Long before I embraced the practice of meditation, I found solace in what I call the "Sit Spot." This isn't just about finding a place in nature to sit; it's about becoming part of it, allowing the natural world to envelop and observe you in return.
Choose Your Sanctuary: Find a quiet spot in nature. This could be a nook in a local park, a secluded part of your backyard, or a favorite trail. This place will become your sanctuary, where the world's distractions fade away.
-Time Commitment: Make this a regular part of your schedule. Aim for 3 to 4 days a week. Start with 10 - 20 minutes, but don't be surprised if you find hours passing like mere moments. The essence of time shifts here; it becomes fluid, almost irrelevant.
-What to Bring: Simplicity is key. A pad or blanket to sit on, and attire appropriate for the weather. Leave behind the pen, the paper, the mobile phone. These are not tools for this journey; they are anchors to the world we wish to momentarily escape.
-The Experience: As you sit, listen to the gentle rustle of leaves, the distant call of birds, the soft dance of light through the branches. Here, your senses recalibrate, aligning themselves with the Earth's heartbeat. You're not just an observer; your part of the scene, allowing nature to breathe through you.
This practice isn't about escaping life; it's about reconnecting with the core of existence, where your inner vision can flourish, unburdened by the noise of human constructs. This sit spot becomes more than a location; it becomes a portal to a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the vast tapestry of life.
Sense Meditation: Engaging the Senses
This is a bonus practice, fine to practice alone but best when shared with others, like with a youth, teen, or adult group. I learned this many years ago and later in life was one of the group leaders to introduce it to participants at The Talberg Forum in Sweden.
Balance in Our Lives
This exercise is all about engaging your five primary senses.
Preparation: Before you head to your sit spot, or upon arrival, stand and practice Wide Angle Vision (as described previously). This helps you open up to your surroundings in a more holistic way.
Engaging Your Senses:
Feel: Once seated on the ground, close your eyes. Feel the earth beneath you, the support of a tree if one is there, the warmth or coolness of the sun, and the touch of the wind on your skin.
Listen: Keep your eyes closed and shift your focus to the sounds enveloping you. You might hear birds, or the distant hum of cars, trains, or buses. Acknowledge how these sounds come from all directions, creating a 360-degree auditory experience. As you listen, maintain awareness of your body's sensations from the wind and sun.
Taste: Now, focus on tasting the air. Notice if it feels cool, warm, or dry. This isn't about literal tasting but about being aware of the air's quality as it enters your mouth.
Smell: Simultaneously, engage your sense of smell. Inhale deeply, detecting the scents around you, be it the freshness of nature or the hints of human activity.
Visualize: Although your eyes are closed, imagine how a reptile uses its tongue to sense its environment for survival. We, too, can heighten our senses to better connect with our surroundings, becoming more in tune with the Earth.
The Purpose: By immersing yourself in this sensory experience and practicing Wide Angle Vision, you forge a deeper connection with the natural world. This isn't merely about indulging your senses but about enhancing your perception, making you more aware and present in your environment.
This practice aims to transcend mere sensory pleasure, guiding you towards a profound unity with the Earth, where every sense is a bridge to understanding and belonging in the vast tapestry of life.
Through these practices, we begin to peel back the layers of Earth Misery, to see with the eyes of our true self, unclouded by the dust of life's experiences. Just like the detective on the street, we too can cultivate a sense of knowing, a gut feeling that guides us through the labyrinth of existence towards a harmonious relationship with nature and ourselves.
Remember, becoming an Earth Avatar is a journey, not a destination. Each day offers a new opportunity to practice, to refine, to see with ever-increasing clarity. This is the path of The Earthway, a journey to harmony with nature, where every step taken in awareness and introspection brings us closer to our pure, unbridled being.
In Harmony,
Kevin
Walk with me on The Earthway. Share your journey, your balance, your light, and your shadows. Together, let's explore how our diverse paths can lead us to a unified understanding of life.