Three Things – Simple Exercises
Image Credit: Yavor Punchev / Unsplash
The Earth, our oldest teacher, offers profound lessons if we slow down long enough to listen. Our ancestors maintained a deep connection with their surroundings, a bond essential for survival. These three exercises are excellent starting points to deepen your relationship with the Earth.
For all these exercises find a quiet spot to sit and reflect on these questions. The deeper you explore the landscape, the more stories, connections, and relationships will unfold.
5 Square Miles
Understanding the land and waters where you live or work is crucial. What do you know about the five square miles (or kilometres) around your home or office? Whether you’re in a rural or urban area, consider the green spaces, resident and migrating birds, local trees and plants, and the animals that inhabit the area. Observe how the land transforms with the changing seasons. When you are out walking, you can mindfully use technology to enhance your connection with nature.
The Stories of the Land
Delve into the stories of your surroundings. How was the landscape formed over deep geological time? What roles did water, fire, earth, and air play in shaping it? When and how did the human story begin here, and how have people shaped the landscape? Reflect on the origins of materials used in local buildings and streets. Delve into the history of the place you live. Explore the folklore and stories that brought this place to life for your ancestors. Which of those stories still resonate for you today?
Aligning with the Seasons
As the Earth orbits the sun, its axial tilt creates the seasons. The further from the equator, the more daylight hours vary, from the long days of summer to the short days of winter. In the tropics, seasons typically alternate between wet and dry. Our ancestors were deeply attuned to these changes, aligning their lives with planting, harvesting, and animal migration cycles—often a matter of survival.
Today, fewer people depend directly on the land for food, and we’ve become disconnected from the seasons. We live in a world of perpetual activity, driven by the myth of constant growth. However, scientific research shows that our circadian rhythms and energy levels shift with the seasons.
Slowing down and tuning into these natural rhythms is a simple way to connect more deeply with nature and grow your relationship with the Earth. These podcasts are all excellent resources to slow down and inspire a more thoughtful and connected way of living. We will be sharing more specific invitations as the seasons change to support a collective practice.
