I was recently reintroduced to a book that has had an everlasting effect on my life. A couple years ago a conversation with a friend over some wine and shared stories of anxiety led me to take her psychiatrist’s advice on a Buddhist author by the name of Jack Kornfield. The next day I went to Border’s and spent a couple hours browsing the Religious section. I settled upon a book called The Wise Heart, which encourages mindfulness and explains how our tangible human bodies are lent to us by the Earth. Tonight I flipped the book open to wear my bookmark was from over a year ago, and am touched by this entry on how the elements of Earth surround our body and portray each of our story in this lifetime:
“Our stubborn stance and lighthearted dancings are the earth moving in our body. Our griefs are the water element, the ocean of tears. Our yawn and our songs are the octaves of the air.” (page 120).
This is a reminder that our bodies do not belong to us. Animal biology is created by a beautiful union of Earth’s breathtaking elements. We are all united by these and they are present in every human being. Earth, water, air, and fire move in each of us until our last final breath. Try to be mindful of your body tomorrow, step outside and feel the air warm your earthy flesh, experience liquid traveling down your throat alongside gravity, and hear the sound of your breath as it is effortlessly released by a set of strong lungs.
Sweet dreams to all, may you rest easy tonight and awaken to sunshine in the morning.
Cheers my friends!
Meg
No comments:
Post a Comment