Hello and welcome to this meditation from the Wellmind Collective as part of our Earth Body Mind Living in Harmony with Nature series.
So this meditation is on gratitude for the earth.
In our busy lives,
We often take for granted the incredible planet that sustains us.
Today we're going to reconnect with nature's gifts and cultivate a sense of appreciation for the natural world.
This natural world supports every aspect of our existence.
So find a comfortable seated position,
Either on a cushion or a chair,
And allow your spine to be tall yet relaxed.
Gently close your eyes or lower your gaze,
Whichever makes you the most comfortable.
Let's take three deep conscious breaths.
Inhale,
Filling your lungs completely.
And exhale through the mouth,
Releasing any tension or distractions.
Inhale,
Drawing in the energy of life,
And exhale through your mouth,
Letting go of anything you don't need to carry.
Inhale,
Connecting to this present moment,
And exhale,
Settling into stillness.
Now allow your breath to find its natural rhythm.
There's no need to control or change it.
Simply observe the gentle flow of air moving in and out of your body.
As you breathe in,
See your belly rise,
And with the exhale,
See your belly form.
Feel the air as it passes through your nose.
When you inhale,
You feel cool.
And once you exhale,
Bring awareness to the tip of your nose.
See if you can feel the heat or the moist as you exhale.
Now bring awareness to the points where your body makes contact with the earth beneath you.
Feel the ground supporting you completely.
This connection is a physical reminder of how the earth constantly holds and sustains us.
Notice the temperature of the air against your skin.
Feel the oxygen filling your lungs with each breath,
A continuous gift from the trees and plants of our world.
Recognize that your very body is made of elements from the earth.
The water in your cells,
The minerals in your bones,
The nutrients that fuel your movement,
All come from this planet we call home.
Now let's bring mindful awareness to specific gifts the earth provides us.
Think of the water you drink.
Visualize a clear flowing stream or rainfall that nourishes crops and quenches thirst.
Water cleanses,
Refreshes,
And sustains all life.
Take a moment to feel genuine gratitude for water's presence in your life.
Consider the food that nourishes you.
Imagine fertile soil,
Nurturing seeds that grow into the fruits and vegetables and grains that provide your sustenance.
Picture the sunshine and rain that help this food grow.
Send appreciation to the earth for providing this nourishment.
Now bring to mind a natural place that brings you joy.
Perhaps it's a deep forest,
A beach,
A mountain,
Or maybe it's in a garden in your very own backyard.
Recall the sensations you experience there.
What are the colors,
The sound,
The scents?
What do you smell?
What do you feel?
What are the textures around you?
Feel gratitude for this special place and the peace it offers you.
Think of the air you breathe,
Invisible yet essential for every moment of your life.
Acknowledge the perfect balance of gases that sustain us.
The wind that disperses seeds and cleans the atmosphere.
Breathe deeply in appreciation for this constant,
Unseen gift.
Consider the beauty that surrounds us.
Sunsets painting the sky.
Intricate patterns in leaves.
The majesty of mountains.
The vastness of oceans.
This beauty asks nothing of us,
Yet enriches our lives immeasurably.
Allow gratitude for earth's beauty to fill your heart.
Smile as you think of this.
As you continue breathing gently,
Recognize that the relationship between humans and the earth can be one of reciprocity.
Just as the earth gives to us,
We can give back through our mindful choices and actions.
With each breath,
Imagine sending your own gift back to the earth.
Perhaps the commitment to greater mindfulness in your consumption,
The promise to spend more time in nature,
Or simply the energy of your appreciation and care.
Feel how this exchange,
Receiving from the earth with gratitude and giving back with intention,
Creates a harmonious cycle that nurtures both the planet and yourself.
We are interconnected with the earth.
Begin to deepen your breath slightly,
Bringing more awareness to your physical body.
Wiggle your fingers and toes,
Gently reawakening the space around you.
Before you open your eyes,
Set an intention to carry this sense of gratitude and connection forward into your day.
Perhaps choose one specific way you might honor the earth today through your actions.
When you're ready,
Slowly open your eyes,
Sharing the peace and appreciation of this practice with you.
Remember that each moment of mindful awareness of our connection to the earth is a step toward living in greater harmony with nature and ourselves.
Thank you for practicing with me today.
Have a wonderful day.
