In this meditation,
We will practice connecting to the earth and the sky.
First,
We will go to the earth to rest and ask the earth to help us release any worries or pain we may have.
We will experience our oneness and connection to the earth.
We will touch the vastness and freedom of the sky and spend time just observing the sky.
We will slow down and appreciate our connection to the life around us and inside of us.
To begin,
Go outside to an open spot where you can see the sky.
You will want to find a spot you feel comfortable sitting or lying on,
Perhaps on a blanket or your jacket.
Find a spot outside where you can sit or lie down.
Settle yourself in a comfortable position.
Breathe deeply in and out a few times.
Close your eyes and let your body rest on the support of the earth.
Feel how strong and stable the earth is.
She is always here for us,
Always available.
She never lets us down.
How wonderful it is to wake up and have the earth still here,
So solid.
Without the earth,
None of us could live.
Feel gratitude for the earth and all that she does for all of us.
As you sit or lie on the earth,
Know that the force of gravity is what is keeping you on the earth,
Preventing you from flying off into space.
This gravity is a kind of love.
It's the earth's way of holding you close to her because she cares about you and always wants to have you near her.
Let go and enjoy resting here in the embrace of the earth.
Notice what it feels like to be here.
Whenever you have heavy or painful feelings,
You can lie or sit on the earth and ask her to help you take care of them.
You don't have to hold them all by yourself.
You can share them with the earth so they will be lighter in you.
If you like,
You can take the child's pose right now,
Sitting on your heels,
Bending over your knees with your forehead and arms on the ground.
If you can't do this,
You can imagine yourself doing it.
Breathe in and out and let go of anything you feel badly about.
Let it flow out onto the earth.
The earth has magical powers that can take your sadness,
Anger,
And fear and turn them into fertile compost to grow flowers and fruit.
If you're sad or mad and feel like crying,
You can also cry.
Just let it out.
The earth loves you and is always here for you.
And if you have good feelings,
Things you are happy about,
You can also share these with the earth.
Pour your love and kindness and joy onto the earth to also nourish her.
She will also help these wonderful things in you grow stronger and deeper.
Take a few deep breaths.
When you are ready,
Change position so that you can now look at the sky.
Breathing or lying down,
Breathe in and out a few times.
Notice the sky.
What color is it?
Are there any birds?
Are there clouds?
If there are,
Notice what the clouds look like.
Breathe in and out and notice how the sky and clouds are changing,
Sometimes slowly,
Sometimes quickly.
Let yourself take in the big vastness of the sky.
So much space,
So much freedom.
There is also vast space inside of you.
When you breathe in and out,
Looking up at the expanse of the sky,
You can open up the sense of space inside you.
Even when you are upset,
Irritated,
Or confused,
When there doesn't seem to be much space inside of you,
There is still immense space in you.
Look up at the sky and touch how big it is.
Feel this bigness and openness in your chest,
In your belly,
In your whole body.
Breathe in and out and feel that you and the sky are one.
The sky is in you,
And you are in the sky.
Because just like the earth,
Without the sky none of us could live.
We need the oxygen,
The light of the sun,
The rain from the clouds in the sky.
Just as the earth is our mother,
You could say the sky,
The sun,
Is our father.
Thank the sky in all it provides you.
Remember its teaching of space and freedom whenever you need it.
Close your eyes and take a few more deep,
Long breaths.
Feel the support and kindness of the earth below you.
Feel the openness and spaciousness of the sky above you.
When you are ready,
Open your eyes and thank this special spot in nature for welcoming you.
You have just spent time connecting with earth and sky.
When we connect to the earth we are rooted and grounded.
When we connect to the sky we open ourselves to grow and expand into the world.
Know that the earth and sky are always available to you,
To remind you of your solidity and freedom that can never be taken away from you.
As humans,
Like all other living beings,
We are the link between earth and sky,
And we must do all that we can to protect the health and well-being of mother earth and father sky.
I wish you a wonderful day today,
Walking between earth and sky.
