A relaxed day-off often creates the perfect window for enjoying the beautiful things in life; an open invitation to let go of the regular world’s hand and wander freely.
For you, that might entail a visit to your local art gallery or exhibition centre. You might like to try your hand at something creative too, such as dancing, entrepreneurship or even flower arranging.
Sometimes simply being outside among the elements offers more beauty than we could shake a stick at. The appreciation of natural beauty and of art is a great form of meditation. Just like conventional practices, beautiful things offer us an express ride to The Middle.
For example, we might spot a beautiful painting, bird or sunrise; then and there, we experience a brief moment of peace. Time stops and we are stilled – entirely in awe and positively lost in beauty.
Wow.
On that note – let’s go to the gallery!
(15 minutes)
Stand at a comfortable viewing distance from your desired piece and take a few Easy Breaths.
Let your eyes gaze loosely on the piece, not reaching in or searching or picking it apart. Not opining, just being there with the work of art.
In the same way as you undressed the banana in Part Three of this book, see the beingness of this piece.
Let it unfold itself in you, let it take you along.
When you are ready, return your attention to your surroundings in the present moment.
(5 to 10 minutes)
Again, stand a comfortable viewing distance away from your chosen painting. Take a few Easy Breaths.
In your imagination, step into the picture the way you might step through a door frame.
Imagine, for example, swinging from the stars, running up the hills, kissing the beautiful maiden sitting in the carriage. Play in the painting.
If the painting has several elements or people, take turns in becoming each of them, and then explore the scene as them.
When you have explored enough, bring your attention back to the present moment.
Some days – during weekends, say, and high days and holidays – it’s good to break with routine and indulge yourself a little. As the saying goes, ‘a little of what you fancy’ and all that …
You’ll need:
Hold the warm cup in your hands and smell those inimitable pastry perfumes while watching the world go by.
If you happen to have a moment like this, why not reflect on how fortunate it is to be in this position, croissant in hand. At simple moments like these, life is good.
TIP: The poem ‘Otherwise’ by Jane Kenyon is the perfect accompaniment to moments like these.
The way in which your creativity expresses itself will be uniquely suited to you and the moment, so try not to be bound up in any ideas that creativity must mean a particular activity such as painting. For you, it could be origami, topiary, pimping up your wardrobe, cooking.
Some creativity is functional and arises spontaneously in response to a problem that wants solving, for instance:
1 delicious dinner needed + several odd vegetables in the fridge = creative meal solution.
You might make something out of love for someone, such as a home-cooked meal or a newly assembled bike. Or you could make something purely out of a love for life itself, with the thrill of seeing one of your visions take physical form in the world for yourself and others to share in.
When you next have a free afternoon, why not spend an hour or two exploring what creativity means to you?
(5 minutes)
This simple meditation is a good way to open up to the beauty that’s all around us.
TIP: Don’t forget to lavish praise upon your petunias. Flowers love a bit of conversation!
(30 minutes)
Here’s an activity worth exploring. Forest bathing, also called shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese stress-management activity that encourages people to enjoy their hobbies in the healing atmosphere of the forest.
We don’t all have access to the forest, but we can find our nearest local green space and make some outdoors plans. Try a short walk, some fitness exercises in the garden or simply sitting on your front porch with a cup of tea.