how we move
Hi all
I hope things are ok for you
Firstly, I want to bring your attention to the weekend retreat I'm running in a couple of weeks' time. It's likely it will involve things like stepping out of your routine, slowing down and viewing yourself and the natural world in ways you may not have considered. It may involve sleeping out under the stars in some beautiful woodland and will definitely be about turning the smartphone off for the weekend. Expect nourishing sharing and conversation, good food, personal insights and the feeling of having been away from it all for a few days. I could do with a couple more people joining me on this weekend. Please consider it. https://endless-river.org/events/ or you can phone me on 07421294194 and we can have a chat about it.
Share this with someone you know, who might be interested in where we meet the natural world and how we can open up to a deeper relationship.
Thanks!
In other news: the brain. Yes, that pile of mush in our heads and the cool stuff it does. I'm a little bit obsessed with Iain McGilchrist, and am currently reading The Master and his Emmisary This book has a whopping great amount of information about research undertaken into the function and development of our brains and has, as its underlying thesis, the idea that the left brain is 'taking over', in other (my own) words, how, in modern western society we are far more reliant on and comfortable with looking at data than we are at entering into the human aspects of relationships and interactions, and, since over 90% of human interaction is non-verbal, we are becoming increasingly detached from understanding each other.
Is difficult for me to synopsise this work, but, in a sense, it is the science of how we have evolved in a non-scientific, or perhaps both a scientific and intuitive way, but through our more recent exploration of the world through measurable data, we are discounting the very thing which helped us evolve and develop, in a ritualistic and meaningful way. Far from anti-science, the book seeks to redress a balance and between our hemispheres and bring things like intuition and consciousness themselves into the spotlight - aspects of our brain function which have yet to be evaluated or understood using scientific means, and therefor unacknowledged by science, but everyone knows we have them! I hope that makes you want to read it! It's fascinating for me, in any case because it fits right in with nature connected consciousness and mindful, open awareness - both right brain supporting practices.
We need to work on having a more open mind state, it is what helps us see possibility and connection and will certainly help alter how we understand the world in a more open, positive way. We'll be doing loads of that at the retreat, by the way. Did I mention I'm running a retreat in a couple of weeks and I would love it if you would join me? nudge, nudge https://endless-river.org/events/ Oh look, there's the link again!
Beginning to Feel More Real
Here's a thing. since giving up social media I realise that I can no longer look at people's profiles, judge them by one statement they make online, feel frustrated and start comparing my life to theirs or want to know what people think of me, through their 'liking' what I do. It's weird to say it but those things were happening for me. I am feeling the social media cold turkey, there's NOTHING TO CHECK (apart from email and my phone)! That's weird, but also incredibly liberating. What I can see very clearly now is that obsession with checking to see if there's any change, any update, anything new and with that the intense distraction and sense of anxiety (left brain). I know not everyone experiences that but I almost everyone I've spoken to about it, does feel that tension. This is a way for me to begin to feel more grounded, more ready for 'what's in front of me'. I'm excited about what opportunities may open up for me through conversation, from now on. I still have this newsletter to indulge that part, but, like I've said, I have no access to data or stats so when it's gone, it's gone.
And with that, I'm gone....
Take care and try to see things from others' perspectives. Try to see that we are all just making our way, we are all beautiful beings who need love, compassion and understanding (right brain ;-)). You are perfect and beautiful and powerful - it is all in you.