Woodland Presence Meditation

A 20-minute guided experience to practice opening one's perception to the environment layer by layer. Moving through the forest, noticing the different states of awareness, and attuning more and more with what is around you as well as inside of you.

Transcript

Welcome. Today we are doing a meditation on layers of presence. So go ahead and allow yourself to get into a comfortable position. One that allows you to be alert, And all here. If you need a blanket or to adjust yourself, Please do so. And the first thing we're going to do is we're going to breathe all of our attention into this moment right here right now. As you fill your lungs, See if the air can go even a little bit lower inside of you down to your abdomen and feel your belly expand. Blowing out all of the air that you've just brought in as well as any stagnant latent air that may be down deep at the base of you. And we'll do that two more times. So just take a nice breath in. Letting it go deep, Deep, Deep down. And squeezing out all of the air that is in you at this moment. And one more time taking a nice, Filling breath. Filling, Cleansing, Rejuvenating and exhale. And I'd like for you to imagine that we're all walking down a cobblestone path. We're traveling into a very quiet, Old, Well established forest. The air is warm. The sun is out. And it's midday. So the sun isn't too warm. It's just right. Just enough warmth to keep you comfortable. As we keep making our way down the cobblestone path. And perhaps you can feel the pebbles underneath your feet. Again, Calling all of your attention here. And as we continue walking, Up ahead to our right is a very long, Old log that fell some time ago. Let's make our way over there. And as we make our way, Begin to notice what is around. Glancing down at the forest floor. All around the perimeter of the tree. Just slowly start to look up. Noticing the surrounding trees in the area and the canopy. And as we make our way to the tree, Just slightly put your hand on this very long, Wide trunk. And ask if you can lay down here. And if you received a yes, Please make your way to lying down on your back on this very old tree that is slowly making its way back into the soil. And as you get comfortable, I'd like for you to think for a moment about when you lie down to go to sleep. And we go through different stages to reach a state of restfulness, Restorative time for our bodies, Our minds. And that's during our sleeping state, Our dream time, If you will. But the reason why we're here today in this forested woodland environment, Laying on this very old tree is to notice the different states of your wakingness, Your attention when your eyes are open. So begin to look around at the base, The floor of this forest. And notice what plants are around, How far apart they are, Which way they lean. Begin to listen for the sounds. Can you hear which direction the wind is coming from? Noticing the sensations on your body? Do you see where the sunlight is reaching all the way down to the bottom of the floor? Who is in sunlight and who is reaching for sun? Begin to look at the next layer. What shrubs are growing? What sounds do you hear? Do you see which way the wind is blowing? What other sense begins to awaken inside you as you look at this next layer? And now looking at the layer above the shrubbery. What is that next layer? Are those yearling trees? Perhaps they're a woodland variety that only grows so tall? Are you beginning to see vines making their way up to the sunlight? So you're looking at the third layer. And what other senses come to join you here? And how does this middle layer interact with the plants that begin on the forest floor? The shrubs and the low land flora? How are they all interacting as they make their way to this third layer? How far can you see? While focusing on this third layer? How far can you see into the forest? Is it beginning to get more obstructed? Like is your view beginning to become more obstructed? Is it a little harder to see as far? Or does it open up for you? Can you see more at this level? And turning your attention to this next layer, The thicker branches of the trees. Notice if you can see who is touching branches? Are there different trees that actually meet? Do you notice any that are touching? What patterns are you beginning to see as you're looking at this upper layer? We're not quite to the canopy yet. But the landscape is changing. And see if you're noticing any patterns beginning to form. Any patterns beginning to form? Again, Noticing your own body sensations. You're still lying on the log. The forest floors all around you. There's an interaction happening between the forest floor and the next layer. And from the shrubs into the yearlings and the yearlings into these larger branches. What conversations are you noticing happening within the community? And what senses are awakening in you? And turning your attention to the upper reaches of the canopy. Notice how far you can see. Are you able to see the very top of the trees? And as you're looking, Are the leaves reaching up towards the sky? Are they flat? Are they bent down? What are the leaves doing at the uppermost part of the canopy? And imagine if you will, What the temperature is like there? Is it warmer or colder? And what information is taking place at those upper points of the tree? Are the trees talking to one another? Are they sending messages on the wind? Releasing pheromones? Are they taking in information from the sun, The clouds or the wind from other trees farther away? As you're watching the different layers, The different levels of growth, Different cycles that are evident. And the habitat that you are in, Each being growing at a different time and in a different way. All supporting one another. Notice where your floor begins. What is at the base of you? And where does the base of you support the next season of growth within your being? And how does that support the parts of you that are wizened and aged? And where are you reaching? What are you communicating with? What feels near or far? And do you feel at home here? Do you feel solid in your trunk and your roots? Able to extend your reach? Just taking another moment. See if there's anything left that you would like to have a second glance at or a little more time with. Just ever so slowly start bringing all of your attention back into the space that you are occupying. As we slowly draw our attention away from the tree and the woodland habitat. Bringing yourself here, Here, Here. Opening your eyes. We'll be taking a moment to look around the room. Giving a good stretch, Letting your arms go overhead. Bringing your hands down to the tops of your thighs and just giving a few rubs on the top of your thighs. And perhaps you feel inclined to take a few notes of what that practice of presence was like for you.