Ever notice how anything in life can teach you if you let it?
While on retreat recently, as part of a group exercise I was invited to choose a leaf from a table covered with leaves of all shapes, colours and sizes. The beauty of fall lay before me.
While initially drawn to the intense red of the Japanese Maple, I found my hand reaching out to this leaf.
I didn’t question it or try to convince myself otherwise. I simply trusted my intuition, something I sometimes forget in the busyness of life.
The invitation was to notice if the chosen leaf had anything to teach me.
Funny how the oddest things seem perfectly natural when I’m on retreat.
Up in my room, I placed it on the desk where I did my writing.
And so I sat with my leaf.
Being with something free of judgment allows its beauty to appear effortlessly.
I turned it this way and that. I took photos of it from every angle, in different light at various times of the day and night.
I communed with it (perfectly acceptable behaviour while on retreat) and listened for a response.
During the four days of my retreat I fell in love with this leaf and in return it gave me its gifts, inspiring me to:
- be present
- write in a new way
- see humanity with new eyes
With this new perspective, I can view life as a labyrinth, rather than the maze it has seemed this year.
How often I wonder do we miss out on this type of gift?
How often do you miss what’s RIGHT THERE in front of your nose?
I ask without judgment for I’m guilty of the same. It’s part of being human and it’s part of what makes retreats so magical and soul-nourishing.
When you create space, new thoughts can emerge. New thoughts create new possibilities, new adventures, new pathways.
I want you to have that so I’m passing on the invitation to create space.
For me, the leaf was the doorway into that space.
For you? We shall see.
Over to you:
- Choose something – a leaf, a stone, an image – the item matters less than you think.
- For 24 hours let yourself be with it.
- Notice what shows up as you be with it…exactly the way it is and exactly the way it isn’t.
Love this, Sandi.
We’re living in a world of ever-increasing complexity but deep down we all long for simplicit. It’s often the simple things that hold the most meaning, and bring us the greatest pleasure.
Thanks for the beautiful reminder.
Lisa,
I think we become addicted to the ever-increasing complexity and it takes the extreme opposite (for me a silent retreat) to wake us up!
It’s amazing what becomes possible when we come back to the moment and just be present. I’m going to take you up on this exercise, Sandi—thanks!
I’d love to hear how the exercise goes for you Jase!
I’m going to accept your invitation to create space. Thanks, Sandi.
More space, eh Carol? Can only be a good thing if you ask me 😉
Sandi – this is great – I love how the simplest things can be the most powerful. And creating space is THE most powerful thing we can do. I’ve created my own bit of space this week with hip replacement surgery on Thursday – this whole hip/pain experience has created a kind of space and it hasn’t always been easy this year to surrender to it. I’m looking forward to checking out your retreat place in January when I can drive again! Retreats are one of my favourite things – and being in a new environment makes it easier. Thank you for the inspiration.
Vicky,
So pleased to see you here, especially talking about creating space because I know that’s something you’re brilliant at! I’d even suggest going to Rivendell without the car. You can walk on the ferry and ask to be picked up on the other side. Why not be taken care of in every way possible?
Nature is always such a great teacher. I remember once meditating on a leaf, really being present so it was just me and the leaf. An amazing experience – I can still recall exactly what that leaf looked like and the feeling of oneness that I experienced at the time. I often look at trees in the same way – they sit there so big and majestic, unshakeable – they let life (the weather, the wind, the rain) wash over them – and yet they remain, standing tall. In fact there’s a tree outside my work that reminds me of this, when I most need it, like just before a difficult meeting etc.
I love that you took “be present” from your experience with your leaf – it’s something that the Universe seems to be telling us over and over again.
Thanks for sharing Sandi.
Steve
If I shared how much I got from that one leaf, people might think I’d lost my mind! Oh what the hell, I’ll share more in upcoming posts! At least you’ll understand what I’m talking about 😉
So great Sandi! I always find myself meditating on trees and leaves when on my daily walks with the dogs, and when I empty my busy head and just look at them, I find so much just comes to me.
Recent lessons:
It is possible to stand firm amidst chaos.
Shedding layers (leaves) is natural and necessary.
Life is fun (ok I got this more from watching squirrels chase each other ON the tree)
I’m going to pick up a leaf today and take up your challenge to sit with it for a full 24 hours – who knows what more I might learn!
That last lesson “life is fun” is one that we all need reminding of! Thanks Sabrina 🙂
I love it. Think you might ever lead a retreat someday, Sandi?
Daniel — a brilliant idea! Sandi, I would be there in a heartbeat!
What a delicious invitation, I’m not sure that I’ve done it using an object before, but I will now give that a whirl and see what comes up – I love having new things to try out, thank you!
I think it’s powerful because our focus is on something other than our thinking!