The nine mile trail meandered through a unique Florida landscape of Torreya pines with steep inclines that followed a ridge along the Apalachicola River. High humidity topped off the physical challenge of finding the end of the trail - the body's energy completely invested, there were no reserves to draw upon. The hiker was totally spent as she bathed her worn down feet in the cool stream.
Over 200 years old, the tree commands your attention, often awestruck upon a first meeting, walking under and through this mighty oak. The limbs touch the ground, as if supporting columns for the expansive canopy above. Lying on the ground beneath the tree, your gaze drawn upward, you see through the sinewy, hairy arms of mossy branches to witness lingering clouds.
Doing nothing is not touted as a popular pastime, yet, an amazing number of people aspire to it. To be quiet, nothing to think, no worries, nothing to do, just for awhile. What a luxury in this chaotic, fast paced information age filled with exponential data growth, and so little wisdom. Doing nothing is a gentle gift to yourself.
What does an exhaustive hike, an old oak tree, or an afternoon of nothing to do have in common? Each leads to a uniquely personal experience, one which may anchor us, and draw us back to a specific time and place -- a highlight of our life. Whether it is physical surrender when all our energy is spent, immersion into nature laying on the ground seeing a moving sky, or being quiet, not distracted by a single thing to do, not even needing to speak, we can surrender to a still, inner place inside.
Could this be the ultimate "me" space?
My friend Julie is taking her first international trip to a Greek island for a yoga workshop. Travelling alone, she must decipher schedules, signs and maps, not all presented in her language, on her own. Julie knows she will be challenged, and is also confident of her inner guide, the "me" space, to choose the steps which will assure her safe arrival. Julie has communed with that personal, quiet space inside through meditation and contemplation on a regular basis. She now knows how to visit that space inside, allow herself to rest there, obtain a sense of personal renewal and restoration each time she visits. And if a need arises, she is confused by the signs, or frustrated because she missed a train, disappointed by a wrong turn, she can return to the quiet place, the safe place inside, again and again.
Such is the life of the Spiritually awakened. It is not a perfect life as being witnessed from the outside, but it is exquisitely rich inside once you claim your personal sacred "me" space.
Geralyn Russell is Co-Founder of Solitude Retreats LLC where each event allows people to gain insights through yoga and meditation, labyrinth walks, journaling and collaging. Even if they have are never practiced yoga before, done any journaling, or are familiar with labyrinths, they are invited to come to a retreat to relax, refresh and get a new perspective on their lives.
Geralyn Russell, B.S., R.R.T., 500 - RYT, has been practicing yoga since 1983. For over 20 years she worked as a sales and marketing manager for a Fortune 500 company and also practiced and taught yoga. She has been on faculty for the Florida Institute of Integrated Yoga Studies and also the Balance Point Yoga Teacher Training Program, Tampa, Florida. Contact her at solituderetreats.com solituderetreats.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment