To be fully in the world, but not of the world – these words point the way to reclaim authenticity, inner peace, and freedom. Another way to frame this is –you be you, detangled from the “system.” To me, the “system” is the cultural programming that we have been indoctrinated into since birth – the parts of the “programming” that do not align with our natural rhythm.
I heard John O’Donohue share the following from Meister Eckart, a 13th-century mystic, theologian, and philosopher, “there is no such thing as a spiritual journey; you are coming back into rhythm with yourself.”
Let’s take a look at when we are in alignment with our natural rhythm and when we are not. Most of us dance between these poles or hang out in the middle. When we are aligned with our natural rhythm, we feel less stressed, more content, and feel at ease within ourselves and the world… “Life is good.”
Look closely at the characteristic of “Not Natural Rhythms.” You will never see these in action within the natural world. However, the highlighted words characterizing “Natural Rhythms” ARE what nature embodies.
| Natural Rhythm | Not Natural Rhythm |
Being kind to yourself and your neighbor | Harsh judgment of self and others |
Create what brings you joy | Over-efforting, over-working, not creating |
You are enough and worthy by just being you | Trying to prove your worth |
| Bloom just as you are, without having to change to make others comfortable (to be clear, this still means being respectful of self and others) | Trying to fit in and keep up in ways that are not authentic to you |
| Pause to smell the roses; listen deeply to a song, the birds, or someone else; take in the beauty | Head down, grinding it out |
How do you begin to reclaim your natural rhythm? The most direct path is through aligning with one who is already living fully into their natural rhythm… a tree, flower, bird, water, the very air you breathe. Therefore, I invite you take in some daily “microdoses” of the sweet medicine they offer.
How do we do this?
- Pause in the presence of one who is part of the natural world (we are part of this, but I’m referring to non-humans).
- Feel your feet on the ground, lengthen your spine, and soften your shoulders.
- Slow your inhalation and exhalation through your nose and allow it to be rhythmic.
- Tune into a flower, tree, or water, for example, like you would a child, giving them your full felt attention. Allow thoughts to flow past without giving them any attention.
- After a minute or so, give graduate to the one you received a microdose of nature from, and notice any shifts to your body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Commit to this practice at least 3 times a day for 2 weeks. You will begin to notice subtle shifts towards living out your natural rhythm. This is slow, sustainable medicine for transformation.
Many blessings to you as we approach Earth Day. As we receive the earth’s medicine, may we give her our medicine of protection and restoration in return.
With love,
Kathleen
