Wisdom
Welcome to my monthly newsletter, ATTUNEMENT!
Each month we “tune into” a theme related to mindfulness and
explore a creative practice and tune based on this theme!
This month of October we’re TUNING INTO the frequency of:
WISDOM.
Image by Rob Potter
It is not enough to simply experience life passively. To truly gain wisdom, one must mindfully experience life with all its joys and suffering.
-Patrick B. Williams
Wisdom involves an understanding of life and of human nature, and the ability to consistently make thoughtful, compassionate decisions.
Mindfulness (nonjudgmental present-focused attention) can significantly contribute to the development of wisdom in several ways. It helps us:
Cultivate the qualities of awareness, clarity, emotional balance, and lovingkindness.
Respond instead of react
Practice acceptance
See the truth of impermanence and interconnectedness
Make thoughtful, values-aligned choices
What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?
-Jean Jaques Rousseau
We might say that a person who has cultivated and practiced the above qualities consistently over time is "wise." But in real time we might refer to them as being "skillful" in their actions. I use this word a lot when I talk with groups and individuals about the long-term benefits of mindfulness.
In contrast, when we are unskillful in our actions, it's likely because we're not practicing mindfulness. This might look like going through life on "autopilot" without being fully present or engaged in what’s happening around or within you.
Mindlessness often leads to unskillful, even at times harmful, actions. As soon as we "wake up" to our unskillful actions, however, we have the chance to turn it all around.
Every moment grants us this opportunity, but when we make mindfulness practice a habit, we're more likely to see (and act on) these opportunities to behave skillfully.
For me, cultivating mindfulness in various ways (through somatic-based therapy, seated meditation, journaling, yoga, sound baths, forest bathing, and SoulCollage®, to name a few) has resulted in more skillful actions and thus better outcomes over time. I have noticed--and my husband has validated--that I'm less reactive than I used to be, that I move to acceptance sooner than in the past, and that I'm more in-tune with my values and the messages of my body.
I wouldn't, though, characterize myself as a wise person. I still get off-track and slip into mindlessness time and again, which results in me doing plenty of unskillful things! But perhaps I'm wiser than I used to be. That's the hope, at least!
Maybe we don't need to put so much pressure on ourselves to be a wise, enlightened being.
Maybe we simply need to, moment-by-moment, choose awareness over auto-pilot.
This choice we make to "wake up" means that we have to deal with the messiness of life--with all its joys and sorrows, that we don't run away from discomfort, and that we face the unskillful, unwise parts of ourselves with compassion, grace, and grit.
This can at times feel like a really heavy lift, and this is why practicing mindfulness in supportive community is essential.
It's my honor to create a variety of in-person opportunities for practicing mindfulness in community. You can see below in the "Upcoming Events" section for details about these offerings. I also love bringing mindfulness practices into organizations and businesses; you can visit my website for more information.
Wisdom is knowing that a flourishing life is not a solitary pursuit but a collective effort, nurtured and enriched by the bonds we share with others.
-Jane Goodall
Creative Mindfulness Practice: Creating a SoulCollage® Card Embodying Wisdom*
*If you're unfamiliar with SoulCollage®, here's the official SoulCollage.com website (and on the page is a short explanation video by the founder of the method, Seena Frost).
Materials Needed:
Magazines, printed images, or personal photos
Scissors and glue stick
Blank cardstock, cut into 5 x 8" card
Activity Steps:
1. Image Gathering (15 minutes)
Search for images in magazines that resonate with personal wisdom. Don't overthink; just allow your intuition to guide you to images that call to you. Consider choosing 1-3 main images that relate to wisdom, and a larger background image for them to "live" on.
3. Card Creation (15 minutes)
Arrange/glue chosen images/background image onto your card in a way that speaks to you.
4. Getting to Know Your Card (10 minutes)
Record yourself (and listen back later to write your response in your journal) speaking the phrase "I Am One Who..." then sharing about your card's energy as if you were that card speaking.
Here's an example by Julie Aronson, with the image of her card below:
"I Am One Who moves through portals of space carrying wisdom as I go. I Am One Who sits on the shelf wondering what it would be like to fly like a bird, who calls you away from the books and linear thinking and out into nature."
5. Reflection and Integration (15 minutes)
Journal about how you might integrate the wisdom represented in the card into daily life.
My October Events:
Sat 10/5, 10-11:30am @ Smith Nature Park, UA
Shinrin-yoku (translated as “bathing in the air of the forest”) is a Japanese practice which guides you to mindfully immerse yourself in nature. Benefits can include improved physical and mental health. The practice focuses on cultivating a sense of reciprocity between you and the forest. You'll experience a sequence of invitations that allows you to enjoy both structure and spontaneity in your session. The practice ends with tea and a sharing circle.
Mindful Moments: Mini Forest Retreat 🌿 ✂️ 🥣
Fri 10/12, 9am-12pm @ Moon Creek, Muirfield Village area of Dublin
In the 3-hr retreat you’ll explore a variety of mindfulness-based practices through the modalities of creative self-expression (SoulCollage®), sound and silence (sound bath), nature (forest bathing), and connection (tea and conversation). Enjoy this unique opportunity to “go on retreat” close to work and home, and to immerse yourself in the peace of a forested creekside sanctuary while you are guided in restorative practices that support your personal and professional well-being.
SoulCollage® Open Studio 🌈 ✂️
Tues 10/29, 7-8:30pm @ The Be Sanctuary, UA
This is an opportunity for anyone who's ALREADY attended a SoulCollage® workshop with me to enjoy an open studio time to make cards and engage in informal sharing with other attendees. Supplies provided!
Coping With Election Anxiety workshop 🇺🇸 🧘
Sun. 10/27, 2-5pm @ The Be Sanctuary, UA
I'm teaming up with Susan Gladden (E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP, RMT, Reiki Master Teacher, Shinpiden) to offer strategies and tools to help mitigate your anxiety and calm your nervous system during this election cycle. We will incorporate breathwork techniques, sound healing, guided meditation, journaling & hands-on Reiki, as well as hold space for connecting as a community. Refreshments will be provided.
SAVE THE DATE: Spring SoulCollage® Retreat in Yellow Springs, OH
Sat. 5/3, 9am-5pm @ Mills Park Hotel in the heart of Yellow Springs
Revitalize your spirit this spring with a SoulCollage® retreat set amidst the serene beauty of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Join me at the charming Mills Park Hotel (just a 5-minute walk from downtown shops, restaurants, and Glen Helen Nature Preserve). This retreat is an opportunity to:
Explore your inner landscape by creating a personal deck of SoulCollage® cards.
Connect with like-minded individuals in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Experience the peaceful surroundings of Yellow Springs as you reflect and recharge.
The day will include all materials, guided instruction, and a swag bag!
Limited spots available! Investment: $159
Register before 12/31/24 and save $20 with the code SOUL at checkout.
There's a block of rooms reserved if you choose to stay overnight Sat.; email me for details.
This Month’s Tune:
Each month I share a tune that resonates with the newsletter theme.
For this month’s theme of WISDOM, I've chosen "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell. This is a reflective, melancholy song about seeing life from different perspectives, and embodying the wisdom that comes with mindfulness and lived experience.
Have a great October, and Happy Halloween!
P.S. My website got a makeover! Check it out here.
