Sense of Place Tour

Next week, we're going on tour. Exploring the N.W. Highlands of Scotland on foot and by kayak. Talking to the people we meet and discussing how we connect with, make, have a sense of place. Is it the scenery, the people, the wildlife, the space? We'll be reporting back with regular updates to this blog as well as producing  a visual record of our experiences.

naturallymindful: Reflection

naturallymindful: Reflection: Someone suggested the other day "that it's OK for you, you live in a nice place and are able to do what you enjoy". Thinking about this, th...

Reflection

Someone suggested the other day "that it's OK for you, you live in a nice place and are able to do what you enjoy". Thinking about this, they were right. It is OK for me. But that doesn't mean I don't have things to sort out, to be concerned about or any of the other things that happen to us all. It does mean that I have to make choices, just as we all have to. But by practicing mindfulness these choices can be different,  to be where I am, work as I do, live within a lower income, whatever. How many of us think I'll eventually get round to it, what's stopping you?

If being mindful is simple a practice that is about coping with problems then how will you notice when things go well? If you are constantly watching the bank balance, the shopping, the children, when do you notice you? I thought about some of the events I've worked at and you get to the end and collapse, tired, glad it's all over. Then someone says that was a great event and you didn't see any of it, simply focused on the task not what was happening around you. I'm sure it will be the same for many involved with Olympic events, they'll be so busy helping visitors they'll miss the excitement of a sprint finish, the smiles on faces, the grand occasion. Wouldn't it be a pity if this was our lives, so busy living, coping, dealing with whatever happens, to actually notice life.

So yes, I'm lucky, but there is an old saying that the more you try the luckier you get. Think about what is important, look at what is happening around you. What would you have, do, want, if suddenly everything changed? It might. So with mindfulness move on, notice the good things not just the difficulties, reflect on what is most important and act accordingly.

Get Out!

This video from Outdoor Nation summarises many of the benefits of being outdoors

Being mindful

Reading 'Findings' by Kathleen Jamie, I'm struck by a passage in which she refers to learning to identify birds and which to me clearly illustrates practicing mindfulness. The passage is:


"This is what I want to learn: to notice but not to analyse. To still the part of the brain that's yammering. 'My god, what's that? A stork, a crane, an ibis? - don't be silly, it's just a weird heron'. Sometimes we have to hush the frantic inner voice that says 'Don't be stupid', and learn again to look, to listen. You can do the organising and redrafting, the diagnosing and identifying later, but right now be open to it, see how it's tilting nervously in the wind, try to see the colour, the unchancy shape - hold it in your head, bring it home intact".

Not heron but oystercatchers

While we may not all be birdwatchers we can all use what we notice in nature to help us deepen our mindfulness practice, helping it extend to all areas of our lives, learning to notice and not over analyse.

NHS Video

For some years we've been working with the Ford Park Community Group delivering a range of activities ranging from mindfulness programmes including pain management and mindful movement, through to first aid training for volunteers. They've now been selected as an exemplar project for the NHS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YdjDXT37RU

multi-tasking and mindfulness

The start / finish line

An adventure race may seem on odd place to bring to mind when discussing mindfulness but it provides a great venue to watch the practice of mindfulness in all its aspects. On Sunday we were fortunate to have great weather, dry and sunny with a cooling breeze, beautiful blue skies and  countryside full of vivid greens, bright yellows, and all shared with good companions. 

It was possible to see  how some people approached the day with a 'task' focus - this must be done, then that, then the next thing. For others it was a question of looking around and seeing what could be done. For racers some seemed to be oblivious to everything except the map, the route and the time, while others did have awareness of these core elements (after all it is a race) but at the same time noticed the scenery, the level of water in the streams, the wildlife.

While some say mindfulness means present moment, non judgemental awareness, personally this isn't deep enough - aware of what? One thing (the task focus) or everything? Can we be aware in the moment if we are thinking of the time, of what comes next? And how can we be non-judgemental when every thought can be governed by our experience to date and expectations of what comes next? Just watching the racers brings this out, how one person reacts to something untoward whether injury or mistake and immediately judges the future (that great word 'catastrophising') - that's it, might as well give up and go home. While another's injury is accepted as a prompt to at least enjoy the day even if racing stops. But even these statements involve judgement. How can one person know if another is being overly dramatic or whether in their minds the situation is dire, they won't be able to do that important work tomorrow, they have travelled a long way and given up a lot to be here today.

This translates to our daily lives, how much of our travel is a means to an end - I need to be at work for 8.00am whether the sun is shiny or not is irrelevant, I'm not looking out of the train window anyway. How often do we respond to those we work with without consideration for their view, their ability to cope right now. It's great to see racers setting off prepared to help each other, to work as a team, their bikes already kitted to tow their team mate, an appreciation of common goals but different different abilities in the moment. How often do we think of the same things in the workplace, in the family? At least with mindfulness we 'buy' ourselves time to respond to what arises rather than just react habitually.

So practice, be aware of what we see and feel and how we judge ourselves, our thoughts and others.

National Trust

The National Trust have today released their new report highlighting concerns about children's access to nature.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/what-we-do/news/view-page/item788564/


But this isn't just about children. As adults we all need to recognise the value of nature for our own health and wellbeing, that of future generations and the need to protect nature in order to ensure a future we can all share in. Adults need to help children appreciate nature, enjoy it, benefit from it. Amazingly (not really!) it is cheaper to be in nature than in front of the latest games console, have a picnic rather than visit a burger joint.

We can bring to mind the way we engage with nature, what are the sights, sounds, smells that we enjoy, that make us smile? The things we remember from our childhood. How are we helping children have the same or better experiences (with modern clothing they don't need to experience being dragged around a cold wet hillside the way we may remember)?

Panic buying fuel?

So the Government thinks we should store fuel at home! A transport minister this morning announced that it wasn't an irresponsible idea after all the police and ambulance service have their own stores. Note to ministers - these are in properly constructed, inspected fuel tanks not garden sheds! Maybe it's me but isn't it suspicious that an organised industrial dispute over safety and conditions is suddenly made out to be threatening, just at the time the Government is facing a backlash over VAT, pensions, taxes and money for meals with the PM? Were they thinking 'Let's take the sting out of Government action by hyping up some different agenda'!

Cycling can be fun, quicker, healthier!

Surely if the Government is worried about fuel availability they should encourage us to be mindful of it. To drive slower, take fewer journeys, travel by cycle, run, walk, get the train. All the same messages that they should approach regarding the environment too - use less, for health - walk more, improve traffic - drive less. But no, instead we get buy, buy, buy and we all contribute more to the exchequer by doing so.


So if you are worried by fuel shortages, escalating prices, your health or simply want to save money then travel more sustainably, it's good for you!

Different perspectives

It is not yet the tourist season yet passing by Bowness pier you are struck by the garish trimmings, the amount of activity, the noise, and our minds can be just like this, seemingly full of clutter. Yet sometimes all that is needed is a different perspective, looking at whatever is going on with a new viewpoint.

Same lake (Windemere), different perspective

Mindfulness helps you recognise the clutter (thought) for just what it is and enables you to move, to focus on what is happening away from the clutter, the quiet and deeper sensations all around.

Engaging the senses

Looking across to Whitfell (the turnround point) from Buckbarrow this morning

How often do we really engage with all our senses? We sit at a computer, in the car, working a piece of machinery, responding (or reacting!) to what we see, what we feel. But how much of these responses are singular - the look of the words in a document; habitual - the same thing everyday; and how many engage our emotions? Perhaps when we go home and the aroma of a good meal wafts through the hallway or the perfume worn by a partner may engage us, but all day, everyday?

That's why it is important to get outside, practising mindfulness in nature, when all our senses can be recognised and yes all at the same time! With just the sense of touch on this mornings walk I was simultaneously aware and engaged by the feel of the rock I was scrambling up, the warmth of the sun on my face, the coolness of the strong wind, the movement of my jacket, an appreciation of the protection it offered. Then the other senses, the taste of unpolluted air and the warmth and smell of the rising mist, the fantastic long views rather than just to the other side of the street. By engaging fully with our senses we can't help being fully in the moment, mindful of everything that is going on. By noticing so much it's also difficult to slip into 'judgement' mode as by being fully aware we appreciate that everything is constantly changing. It's also difficult to keep your mind cluttered with the schedules, plans, demands and stresses of our 'normal' yet surely 'less natural' life.

connecting with the Earth, views of a Zen Master

In a recent Guardian article, well known meditation teacher and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh spoke of the increasing evidence that mindfulness can help people to reconnect to nature by encouraging them to slow down and appreciate all the gifts that the earth can offer.

"Many people suffer deeply and they do not know they suffer," he says. "They try to cover up the suffering by being busy. Many people get sick today because they get alienated from Mother Earth”.

He discussed how the practice of mindfulness in nature helps us to develop body awareness and a connection with all around us and that the healing of the people goes hand in hand with the healing of the Earth. 

He also spoke of how an improved connection with nature helps protect the environment too.

"This kind of enlightenment is very crucial to a collective awakening... to be awake to the fact that the earth is in danger and living species are in danger."

Physician heal thyself

Waves coming in at Walney

Today I felt the need for some 'me' time. After a few weeks of seemingly constant work, interspersed with supporting children, mountain rescue cascare exams and callouts, adventure race medical support and a prehospital care course I took a couple of hours to myself.

It's interesting how even knowing the power of being in nature, I don't take advantage of my surroundings enough, contenting myself when busy with a daily early morning meditation and a quick local fell or woodland walk accompanied by jess the dog!

So with a good breeze and a high tide I went to Walney to walk along the coast where the sound not only of waves crashing but the gentle roll of pebbles over and over each other can really take hold  of the senses. The breeze was chilly but refreshing, blowing away the computer screen staring eyes and cognitive cobwebs. The screeching whistle of oystercatchers along with seeing eider, lapwing and snipe all added to the occasion, even watching dogs playing with their owners (why is it that collies always try to herd?) adds to the feeling of freedom.

Back to the car, with a good glow and reminder to get out from behind the screen, engage with my environment and feel good.

The Unexpected

Sometimes no matter what you are doing, surprises can be just what you need.


Having recently driven a long way on winding, single track roads in the dark, I stopped to sleep in a layby. It was dawn when I woke up to find terrific views that got better the lighter it became.

It seems a good metaphor for life that sometimes when it seems too dark to carry on, stopping and waiting can lead to a whole new perspective. But ......

You have to be prepared to look, to be open to what you may see

Engaging - reflection

Grizedale Tarn, Cumbria

Grizedale Forest, yes one of those up for sale earlier in the year, can be very busy. People of all ages come for fitness, relaxation, running, mountain biking or simply to occupy the kids. Yet while the main paths can be busy, going a little further leads to locations such as Grizedale Tarn. Here you are far enough away for there to be no crowds, allowing the perfect opportunity for reflection.

Stopping is the first part of the process. Having walked up to the valley ridge this is always welcome, just as it is good to stop whenever we feel too pushed with lots happening. Stopping here you are immediately struck by the silence, you listen but on a still day there may be no sound at all, simply peace. But it's good to engage other senses too. So this is the next stage, notice the view, the reflection of clouds, the myriad of colours.

Notice too the scent of pine trees, damp earth, the cool air, softness of bark, roughness of timber, really try to engage all your senses, what can you see, hear, feel, taste and smell in your experience right now?

The great thing is when you pause to notice your surroundings, your senses, your breath, you cannot help but be in the moment. Whatever you notice can help give you a different perspective, a sense of balance.

Endurance night

Friday night and it's endurance night at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival. While it was great to hear about different adventure races in the likes of Kyrgyzstan, Greenland and also to discover the challenge of ski mountaineering races, for me the highlight of the evening was to see the film of the epic tri, made by Dave Macfarlane of Planetfear. This film shows the commitment, motivation, drive and sheer bloody-mindedness of two of the Uk's top adventure athletes, Bruce Duncan and Ant Emmett as the set about raising money for Cancer Research UK.
http://theepictri.com/


The pair were successful in completing the Bob Graham Round (65 miles, 42 peaks in under 24 hours), the JOGLE (John O'Groats to Lands End 874 mile tandem bike ride) and the Devizes to Westminster canoe race (125 Miles) all done consecutively (less transition times).

It's a privilege to know the guys, to have witnessed their efforts, to see Dave's work on producing the film and to be able to contribute to this important cause.