It's not been all bad though – it's thankfully coincided with the return of the sun, so I've spent quite a lot of the last couple of months gently rocking in our hammock! Tucked away round the back of the cabin, I've delighted in Jane Eyre, and watching goldfinches charm, buds bud and leaves unfurl. That's how (even more) slowed down I've been..
It's also been a time when people here have been particularly kind. From Roger's pot of coenzyme pills, to Christine's gentle yet powerful treatment session, to people bringing over food (Danny's lime cheesecake especially memorable), to Cadno's bearhugs, to a pack of ancient nutritional maca powder from a volunteer visitor from Bangor whose name I'm sorry I don't know, simply to everyone's kind words and wishes. I've not really engaged in anything communal since before Easter, including all the amazing 'digger and dumper' work going on recently, and I'm very grateful for everyone's understanding and support. Including of course Marie, who's been amazing at patiently tending, and at the right times jollily pushing to get me out on walks - old man stylee - and even into the sea, and quickly out again for a fish barbie one beautiful day.
I don't want this to be some weird inverted anti-oscar gratitude ramble; but as well as remarking how I've felt quite 'together' with people despite my separateness, I also wanted to mention two other wonderful introductions in this period that I'd hearily recommend to anyone. Two resources – nay, ways, essences, rocking sweetnesses. Recommendations if you're suffering from any kind of fatigue, illness, stress etc; or if you're not and want to stay that way, and feel yet more alive!
The first was Lizzie's CDs of Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness meditation, something that somehow manages to be both remarkably relaxing and invigorating. I'd first really come across mindfulness practice on an extraordinary silent retreat I did some years ago at Gaia House, but not being mindful or disciplined enough to carry on with it on my tod I've let it slip. JKZ's soft tones are just very trustworthy and pleasant (see how relaxed I am!), and brilliantly guide you in raising basic body awareness and into a wonderful state of great heaviness-lightness.
The second was Margot's book, Energy Medicine, by Donna Eden. Similarly accessible, non-pretentious, practical, and uber-dude awesome, it is as it says on the tin. Easy techniques to tap into the ancient world of meridians, chakras, auras, triple-warmers and all sorts of other cross cultural lovelies – a world I've largely ignored in ignorance, and am now very excited by. Excited because I can feel it, and because it actually makes some sense; and because by doing odd sounding and looking things like pushing up your tummy button and third eye to connect your yin with your yang, or thumping your K27 acupressure points to stimulate stagnant homolateral energies, by doing this superficially ridiculous stuff it's simply made me feel alive again. Something that no dear GP has managed.
So, do check these links out if you wish – mindfulness and energy medicine. Don't let the slightly commercial websites put you off – they need to make a living I guess, and they can't help having American styles! Muchos gracias Lizzie and Margot!
I've talked about isolated togetherness, and body-spiritual togetherness – thanks for bearing with the verbiage. For old times' sake, I'll move on in the next post to some photos of random community togethernesses that I have happily experienced this year, and which haven't found their way into other posts. Some great memories, and a tiny flavour of this type of togetherness at its best.
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