delighting in little matter

beauty breather eight

{beauty breather: a photographic pause for rest}

Join me in a guided visual meditation - an invitation into noticing the wilderness within and without while making space for the fullness of our humanity. These beauty breathers are collections of my nature photographs, part of Notes From the Wilderness.

• I am in Western Canada and experience four distinct and rather extreme seasons. This cycle is integral to my experience. I acknowledge this frame of reference may not be familiar to everyone yet I hope you will still be able to enter in and feel welcome.

• You can return to each beauty breather as often as you desire. Notice what is the same and different in how you experience the words and images.

• If you’re wanting to slow down but find yourself rushing through, try setting a timer (I really love the Insight Timer app.) Go at whatever pace work for you.

• Meet yourself with kindness and gentleness. Let curiosity lead.

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This beauty breather is a companion to my previous post: little matters. The artwork from that post utilizes gathered material that would be found within the terrain but whose details cannot be seen from afar. That is the inspiration for this visual meditation. We will begin with a landscape image, one that the subsequent photographs are found within, but remain hidden within the grander view.

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inhale

exhale

There is so much to give our attention to - so much, I’m certain, deserves it. Yet, in the midst of the scarcity of time and capacity, there is abundant space within us for noticing - something. anything.

inhale

exhale

I am open to noticing.

Allow your attention to gently settle onto this landscape, noticing the colours, shapes and textures. Can you imagine yourself standing here, the breeze blowing, the clouds drifting, the stream trickling? See if you can find ease here.

I trust that what I notice, matters. I trust that my openness is enough.

inhale

exhale

As you consider this image for the second time, let’s peer deeper into the details that we cannot yet quite see. Let curiosity guide you into the bank along the water or tucked under the small spruce trees. What might be alive here? Let the anticipation enliven you.

I know that I cannot see it all. But, I trust that my attention matters in the little I have the capacity to see.

inhale

exhale

I am open to seeing more.

Embrace the wonder of all that you did not first see. Allow your attention to gently settle onto this image of a wildflower named Paintbrush. Take it in as a whole landscape. Notice the colours, shapes and textures. Can you imagine yourself crouched here, still feeling the breeze and the trickling stream beside you?

I want to be found in the details - not lost.

May my heart expand in the wonder of little matters.

inhale

exhale

Imagine that you are still kneeling beside the Paintbrush but your eyes catch something else nearby. Let them examine this Northern Bog Orchid that has seemingly appeared out of nowhere, delighting in your expanded attention.

And then, a little deeper, under the cover of a shrub, this Pink Wintergreen comes into view. Enjoy the refreshment of seeing the miniature, dew encased bud. Spend a moment taking in all that your attention draws you to.

As you savour the details to be discovered in the grandness of a mountain landscape, may you notice now, to your left, this small round-leaved orchid. It’s tiny flowers inviting you into its splendour. Spend some time examining its features. Let delight bubble up within you.

In a world noisily demanding my submission, I choose to lean my ear to the whispers of beauty and wonder. They invite, not demand. And I delight in hearing it so my eyes and mind, body and soul can pay sweet attention in increasing measure to the grandness of little things.

Because I trust they matter.

inhale

exhale

inhale

exhale…

♡

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