The winds have quieted down some and the rains have become patchy showers. With this relative retreat in the stormy weather, we head out for a long walk “to stretch the kinks out” as my mother would say. These walks do more than stretch out our physical bodies. They also refresh our emotional, mental and spiritual being. Most often the walking is done without talking and at a good pace but not power walking with arms swinging. That kind of walking would be exercise not meditative. We can do that kind of walking at another time — such as when we are going to get the mail and climbing back up the hills home.
So because the weather was only in “relative retreat” we decided to take a middle trail out to the point and walk deep in the meditative woods. We can hear the surf and wind in the distance but the big cedar trees in this part of the forest cushion all that they hold. Sensual whiffs of trees, shrubs and the rain-soaked earth permeate the cool air as it drifts past my cheeks. We keep walking.
(image is available for purchase HERE)
Did you think I was going to leave my camera behind? Taking photographs is very much like part of my meditative breath and personal practice of being present.
Today’s post and sprout question are part of a call-and-answer with Laurie Buchanan over at Speaking from the Heart and her post today “Rain Retreat Meditation.” I am going to borrow her question and sprout it here while encouraging you to answer it there – and here too if you like 🙂
Laurie’s SPROUT: Where do you go to retreat?
It may have been divine intervention that had me read Laurie’s new post just before setting this one for publishing here. Whatever the reason dear readers, you get two unplanned, uncoordinated, just-happened-that-way meditative posts in one today.
© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.
From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com
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Creative Potager 
I find a camera the perfect companion for a meditative walk too…..what better way to really see?
I couldn’t agree more winsomebella 🙂
i also find a woodland walk meditative. when i need to retreat, i go to my yoga mat, woods or beach.
I sometimes wish Stephanie I went to my yoga mat more often but this is not the case at the moment. Thank you for the reminder 🙂
Yesterday I had an opportunity to head out for a walk and went down on my bum and was dragged by the pup when I tried to stand up….today I am walking through a book adventure – though I did have to go and do my banking and pick up a few supplies. It is raining gallons and the heavy winds come and blow then vanish for an hour or so…manning the sump pumps So much water
The heaviest part of the storm for me was the day the limbs were falling off the redwood tree and nearly crashing into my house. I had no power and was wrapped up in blankets listening and watching them break and all about 15 in all….It was very frightening and my body reacted by letting go! As several tree sized limbs hit the side of my house, I was reminded of the fear I felt when I was in an accident 30 years ago….
I have been setting aside time each day to not only do some physical clean up work, but also to just release the feelings – I am thinking thoughts of what would it be like to just BE
Why do I need all these projects and lists? What would I do as a person who is just being?
Deep as the snow, but not yet melting away
I image it is hard Patricia to “just be” while facing such challenges. Go on you for keeping going and finding your way to higher ground. Our power was out last night due to high winds and today it is still raining but there is still a prediction of some sun showing up on Thursday and Friday. So let hope it comes your way as well.
Terrill – I’m so glad that I wasn’t able to get to this post until just now, because “just now” is exactly when I needed to read it.
Just like your wise mother said, it “helped to stretch the kinks out.” The photograph you’ve gifted us with today is ease-full. My voice (audible thought) says, “Ahhhhhhhhh, just what the doctor ordered.”
Thank you so much for the call-and-answer link-up with Speaking from the Heart. Synchronicity — you just can’t beat it 🙂
I thought those trees were saying it would be nice to meet Laurie 🙂 and you are most welcome.
Ummm yes walking out the kinks, indeed a good late January “project”. And with camera in tow, what could be better fuel for the in-the-moment fire.
I can almost smell those sensual scents of nature, just by meditating on this picture you’ve gifted us with. Thank you for taking us along.
You are most welcome Alison. I find it is always a pleasure to take such a reflective, inspiring group with me on these outings.
I’m walking right beside you, my friend. Expect when you head for home I’m going to head the other way. You see, there’s a certain bench I know and there me and my pen skip lightly across my journal. Yeah, that’s why I’m carrying my green tote. See you soon.
Yes shall see very soon now Leanne. Enjoy your time on the bench 😉
That’s a more colorful woods scene than I thought imaginable.
My meditative walks often take me to a nearby lake at a county park, which is a scenic oasis of sorts in these parts.
Oh a walk by the lake does sound like a grand adventure indeed Sam. It is always a treat to have these kinds walks close at hand.