Welcome to the vernal equinox meditation.
The vernal equinox marks the first day of spring and the moment where the sun crosses the celestial equator and day and night are equal.
This is a simple mindfulness meditation and poem reading.
Use this meditation for a quick moment of stillness in your day.
I hope you enjoy it.
Begin in a seated or lying down position,
Whatever is most comfortable for you.
Place one hand on your belly and one on your heart.
Follow the breath as it moves through the body,
Tracing the inhales and exhales with your attention.
Take stock of how your body feels in this moment.
Notice any sensations you feel in your physical body.
Maybe it's stiffness or tiredness.
Or maybe there's a lot of energy.
Just making note of what you feel.
Take a deep breath in and a big breath out.
And I'll begin the poem reading.
Such Singing in Wild Branches by Mary Oliver.
It was spring and I finally heard him among the first leaves.
Then I saw him clutching the limb in an island of shade with his red brown feathers all trim and neat for the new year.
First I stood still and thought of nothing.
Then I began to listen.
Then I was filled with gladness.
And that's when it happened.
When I seemed to float,
To be myself,
A wing or a tree.
And I began to understand what the bird was saying.
And the sands in the glass stopped for a pure white moment while gravity sprinkled upward like rain rising.
And in fact it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing.
It was the thrush for sure but it seemed not a single thrush but himself and all his brothers and also the trees around them as well as the gliding long tailed clouds in the perfect blue sky.
All of them were singing.
And of course so it seemed,
So was I.
Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn't last for more than a few moments.
It's one of those magical places wise people like to talk about.
One of the things they say about it that is true is that once you've been there,
You're there forever.
Listen everyone has a chance.
Is it spring?
Is it morning?
Are there trees near you?
And does your own soul need comforting?
Quick then,
Open the door and fly on your heavy feet.
The song may already be drifting away.
Now sit with this stillness for another moment.
Who has this different being?
And when you feel ready,
Take another deep breath in and a big sigh out.
Open your eyes and enjoy the rest of your day.
Thanks so much for joining me today.
