August Indoor Gathering
August Message: Remembering We Are Nature
OPENING MEDITATION
The Four Elements Meditation Practice (connecting the breath, body, and the spirit to earth)
By Pir Zia Inayat-Khan
GATHERING MESSAGE
Excerpt from “Remember,” by Joy Harjo
“Remember the plants, trees, and animal life, who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too.
Talk to them,
listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the
origin of this universe.
Remember you are all people and all people
are you.
Remember you are this universe and this
universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember.”
Our central message this month is remembering we ARE nature. It’s one of three parts of the mission of our community (reconnecting to ourselves, each other, and nature). We began by remembering our deepest selves and have continued to expand beyond ourselves, widening our view and opening our hearts to begin to see and include one another, as well as the entire natural world.
We explored the idea that we ARE nature through the lens of the four elements. We remembered that we belong to nature, rather than nature belonging to us. We remembered that the natural world is always providing for us, offering us food, water, and air to breathe - and that in some ways humans have made accessing these resources more difficult than it needs to be.
The intention this month is to begin again to cultivate a relationship with the natural world that feels authentic and helps us remember who we are at the deepest level.
For many of us, whether we are conscious of it or not, we experience a realization or a tangible experience of unity in nature. We may call this sense of unity the Divine, Source, Spirit, or Ultimate Reality. Nature is a critical component in our spiritual and human development. Without experiences in and with nature, we miss out on understanding ourselves.
Many world traditions are united by their mutual reverence of the elements as primal sacred forces, including: earth, water, fire, and air.
They recognize that the human being is a microcosm of the universe, physically, psychologically, and spiritually endowed with the pure qualities of the four elements, and for this potential to be actualized, the human form must be realigned with the animate Earth, and many traditions have practices that harmonize the elements within and without.
Each element of nature serves as a mirror, reflecting our inner landscapes and guiding us toward deeper self-awareness. Let’s explore them in more detail.
Earth: As we stand upon the Earth, we are reminded of our roots, the ground of our being, not only in the soil but in the very essence of existence. All life on this planet is connected by this ground. The Earth cradles us, holding us with the unseen force of gravity, providing stability and nourishment. When we take the time to connect with the solid nature of the earth, whether by walking barefoot on the grass or tending to a garden, we awaken to our shared experience with all living beings that also belong to the earth. This grounding experience fosters a sense of belonging, allowing us to feel the connected to something greater than ourselves
Physical: The Earth element is associated with the solid structures of the body, like bones, muscles, and tissues, embodying stability and strength.
Water: mirrors the flow and the currents of our emotions and intuition. Just as rivers carve their paths through the landscape, our feelings shape our life experience. Water teaches us that emotions, like the tides, are fluid and ever-changing. As we honor and express our feelings, we align ourselves with this transformative element, enabling healing and renewal. Our bodies are mostly made of water, and our veins and arteries mirror the way rivers and streams distribute water throughout the planet
Physical: This element governs the fluids in the body, such as blood, lymph, and digestive juices, supporting hydration, digestion, and detoxification.
Fire: ignites our passions and desires, acting as a catalyst for personal transformation. It symbolizes the creative energy that resides within each of us, urging us to pursue our desires with fervor. When we gather around a controlled fire, we not only connect with the elemental energy but also with our inner flame - reminding us of our capability to grow fire, our passions from a spark of an idea, to tend to our inner fire, and to allow our true selves to shine brightly in the world.
Physical: The Fire element is linked to our body's metabolism, energy production, and internal heat, often referred to as the digestive fire.
Air: the invisible yet vital force, giving all of life exactly what it needs – as humans, offering us oxygen and as trees and plants, CO2 -an exchange, a communication, and the breath of life for all life. Each inhale and exhale connects us to the living world around us. Our lungs mirror the structure of trees, each cell within and each leaf spreading out to invite this exchange.
Physical: Air is connected to movement within the body, including respiration, circulation, and nerve impulses.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Think about the cycles we see in nature—birth, growth, release, and rest. How do these cycles relate to your own life experiences?
Reflect on a moment when you felt truly connected to nature. What was happening in that moment, and how did that experience impact you?
All life on this planet relies on the dance of the Sun and the Moon, and the same dance is inside of you as well. What comes up for you as you consider your relationship with light and dark, sun and moon, and the rhythms of Earth?
Take a few minutes to observe a plant or animal. What behaviors or patterns stand out to you? What insights can you gain from how it interacts with its surroundings?
Explore a small area, like a patch of grass or a fallen log. What small details and creatures can you uncover in this tiny ecosystem?
How does being in nature influence my mood, stress, and overall well-being?
How can I foster a deeper connection with nature?
SPIRITUAL INVITATION FOR AUGUST
We remember that we are nature, and that we belong to the earth through direct experience -by engaging the heart and body in communion with nature.
When we are in nature, we engage our feeling body, not just the mind - it gets us out of our head and into our body. The mind can pause, and we can experience our deeper connection to something greater, to our deepest self, and each other.
This month, spend time in nature at least once a week and journal about what comes up for you using the prompts above. Practice the opening meditation if it resonates with you.
PERENNIAL WISDOM SOURCES
INDIGENOUS
“An American Sunrise” by Joy Harjo of the Muscogee Nation
Excerpt from the poem “Remember.”
Order from a local Rock County bookstore here.
TAOISM
“Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu
Excerpt from Chapter 16 beginning “Empty yourself of everything…”
Order from a local Rock County bookstore here.
DIVINE FEMININE
"The Wild Rhythms” by Kat Villain
Excerpt from the “Spirit” chapter.
Order the e-book from her website.
Order a physical copy of the book from her website.
MUSICAL INSPIRATION:
We introduced our new musical director, Ashley Hirsh, who led us in two songs. “Earth You Hold Us’ and our community blessing. We are so grateful for Ashley’s inspired vision for the Ancient Hearts music.
Songs:
NEXT GATHERING:
Sunday, August 24th, 10am-Noon
Location: Gibbs Lake Park
What to know/how to prepare:
We’ll begin in circle, setting an intention for connecting with nature, we will explore the park, and finish by connecting with the water and a sound experience with Kelly Cavernetta of The Living Resonance.
Bring water and a towel or yoga mat to sit or lie down on for the sound healing, wear comfortable shoes and protective clothing, and apply sunscreen and bug spray.
