Following on from my last post one reader raised a point that gave me the idea to explore the elements in a more detailed way. I wrote of sensuality in my life and how I use the sensual nature of my body to reinforce my connection with myself and the web of life.

EARTH

The basic building blocks of our physical form. I recently heard a quote that we are “Dust and water walking” which I believe comes from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. For me this sums up our physical nature. We are in reality stardust, everything we are has been here since the start of the universe when matter was created because matter cannot be created or destroyed.

Each morning throughout the year I step out of my door naked onto the land, my feet touch the earth, I do this gently as though I am planting a kiss on the cheek of my beloved. As a sensual being I am immediately aware of the temperature and texture of the surface that I step onto this brings me into the present moment. Each step up the land to my bathing spot is done as though it is a prayer to the earth.

I enter the water, even after seven years of daily bathing there is always a moment of trepidation prior to that initial plunge but after that moment the intensity of sensation brings me into that state of immediacy where the divine can be touched. Before drying myself, I give thanks to the four directions with Earth being in the North. I thank the spirits of that direction for the groundedness in my life and the unceasing abundance that is provided for all.

So each day starts in this way. Throughout the day its about noticing the small things, the changing texture of the earth under my feet even if I am wearing shoes or work boots, returning again and again to that ever present presence.

Once my tasks for the day are completed I spend time alone in my off grid cabin 150 yards away from the house, before going there I take off my clothes and symbolically leave the events of the day behind. As I walk up through the trees I have to pay attention to the ground beneath my feet as it is wild land and the paths are often slippery with mud and covered with fallen twigs blown off the trees by the regular stormy weather. I enter the cabin and light the stove, the wood fuel that I burn is a gift from the earth and I give thanks as it warms my space.

Part of my practice is to sit in meditation or drum and journey for about 45 minutes and one particular practice that I use is to part attention to my physical form, sweeping my attention over my body and engaging with the physicality of my form. This is an ancient meditation practise known as vipassana. Feeling the way in which my aged skin has wrinkled, the way in which my aged muscles tend to sag having lost their elasticity becoming aware of the pull of gravity itself.

So I leave with this chant:

Earth my body

Water my blood

Air my breath

and

Fire my spirit