Hello everyone!
Another month, another ritual! We love sharing these practices, tools, and ways of dropping in to the sensory mystery of being alive. In alignment with our topic for this month's live call, our invitation for your daily practice for November is to sit with any and every somatic sensation that arises when you reflect on death and dying.
Make this whatever you need it to be. If daily is too much, even once per week can be transformative. Remember that you can stop at any time!
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or reflections! We love hearing from you.
Xo
Jeanine
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Daily Practice: Contemplating Death
- If possible, find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed.
- Light a candle or burn incense, if you'd like.
- Take a moment to ground yourself. Feel the ground beneath you, connect with your breath, take in where you are in space and time through your senses. Remember that you can always return here to the present moment if this exercise is uncomfortable in any way.
- Start with a body scan. Focus on each part of your body from head to toe.
- Notice any sensations, tensions, or areas of ease. Acknowledge them without judgment.
- As you move through your body, contemplate the transience of life. Feel the aliveness in your body and the impermanence of each sensation.
- In a way that resonates with you, reflect on the inevitability of death and dying -- both for yourself, your body, and those you love. Notice how the body reacts to this reflection. Where do you feel tension? What does it feel like? Notice how you maybe try to avoid the feeling.
- Option to tap, shake, or tone at any time to move energy if needed. Option to engage in gentle movement—this could be stretching, curling into a ball, flowing, or even dancing.
- Allow your body to express what it feels about life and death. Let movements be intuitive; if a certain gesture feels right, explore it.
- Consider incorporating slow, fluid movements that mimic the cycles of life, such as opening and closing, rising and falling.
- When you feel complete, eventually sit or lie still, closing your eyes or softening your gaze.
- Reflect on your experiences of the practice. What thoughts or feelings emerged regarding life and death?
- You might wish to journal briefly about your reflections, capturing any insights or emotions.
Other options:
- Weekly Variation: Choose one day each week to engage in a deeper exploration—read a poem, watch a documentary, or meditate on a particular theme related to life and death.
- Nature Connection: Spend time in nature weekly to observe the cycles of life, decay, and renewal. This can enhance your understanding of life’s impermanence.
- Community Sharing: Consider sharing your reflections with a trusted friend or a group that is open to discussing these themes.
By committing to this practice, you’ll cultivate a deeper understanding of the cycles of life, the inevitability of death, and the beauty that exists in both. Adjust the components to resonate more with your personal experience and needs.
Let us know how it goes!
From my temporary existence to yours ;)
Jeanine
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