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we take our steps on Mother Earth it's easy to become disconnected … to drift &
swirl with the currents of everyday living, unsettled and uncentered. A simple and powerful way to
begin to reclaim our center and our connection to the Earth is to take time each day to
honor 7 Sacred Directions. It only takes a few minutes and with time & repetition it
can have a profound & beneficial impact. Honoring 7 Sacred Directions
Pick a time at least once
a day to do this meditation practice.
Many people find it helpful to do this around the same time each day
(for example: first thing in the morning; right before bed, etc.).
Find a comfortable and
undisturbed place to stand.
Breathe deeply a few times, exhaling any tensions, distractions, etc.
Turn to the East.
Be present with the
energies of the East. Stand quietly …
receptively … sensing the energies. Allow
yourself to simply engage the experience. You may see colors or images, hear vibrations,
sense feelings, sensations in your body, have an inner knowing. There is no right or wrong
thing to experience. Simply turn your
attention to the East and be present. When
you feel ready, honor the energies of the East.
Continue your connection to the East, while turning your connection to the South.
Turn to the South.
Be present with the energies of the South. Stand
quietly … receptively … sensing the energies.
Allow yourself to engage the experience … simply … without
expectation. When you feel ready, thank the
South. Continue your connection to the South,
while turning your connection to the West.
Turn to the West.
Be present with the energies of the West. Stand
quietly … receptively … sensing the energies.
Allow yourself to engage the experience … simply … without
expectation. When you feel ready, thank the
West. Continue your connection to the West, while turning your connection to the North.
Turn to the North.
Be present with the energies of the North. Stand
quietly … receptively … sensing the energies.
Allow yourself to engage the experience … simply … without expectation. Honor the energies of the North.
Touch back into your
connection with East, South, West, North.
Experience yourself at the center of these four directions
-- the planet radiating out in all directions ... North to South, East to West.
Lift your Face to the Sky.
Be present with the energies of the Sky. Reach
outward … upward … extending into the heavens to dance with the celestial
energies. Allow the energies of Sun, Moon
& Stars to flow down upon you and through you. Honor the blessings of Father Sky.
Rest Firmly on the Earth.
Feel the ground beneath your feet. Sink
down … allow the Earth to hold you
… to really support you. Open to the
energies of the Earth, waiting to flow up, into you, through you … kissing Father
Sky. Tune to the heartbeat of the Mother
… rocking you, cradling you, sustaining you. Honor your connection to the Mother
Earth.
Turn Inward.
Become aware of yourself at the center of 6 directions between Earth & Sky, amid
East & West, North & South. Find that point within you where the 6 directions
join. Here is your sacred Center. You are the 7th Sacred Direction. From
this Center, experience your place in the divine order of the cosmos. Honor the energies of Self and Place.
Whenever you feel scattered, uncentered
or unconnected, pause and honor the 7 Sacred Directions.
If you are not able to physically turn toward the directions, do so in your mind or
reflect back to an earlier experience of honoring the directions. This will put you in touch with the directional
energies and you help to center & connect.
This meditation will evolve over time as you renew your relationship with these sacred
energies. Allow your practice to grow and
deepen organically. Throughout the world,
indigenous cultures honor the Sacred Directions in unique ways, with their own symbols and
significance for each direction. You may wish
to explore some of these traditions and incorporate into your practice those aspects,
which resonate for you. There is Wisdom in
the Old Ways of many cultures; there is Wisdom deep within you. Honor both these sources of Wisdom as you reclaim
your connection to the Earth.
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