Mindfulness Stop 4

Make sure your volume is on: "Mindfulness 4 - The Beacon"

Show transcript

We are now about to take the path from Cedar Drive that runs along the side of the field that holds the Beacon in Staunton Country Park.

Before you start walking mindfully, become aware of how you are standing. The pressure of your feet on the ground. Your posture - are you leaning, slouching or standing tall? Where are your arms and hands placed? How do your feet feel in your shoes? Feel your breath moving in and out of your body. Breathe in the smells around you from the trees, fields, wildlife, and shrubbery. What is the path like under your feet? Is it sandy, gravelly, stony or muddy? Are there puddles or uneven surfaces? On the path there may be discarded pine needles, leaves and seeds scattered and blown from the trees.

What can you see in front of you? Can you see the skeletal tree in the distance bare of leaves? Look at its shape and color and how it is set into the background of the sky. Can you see the Norwegian spruce, the different trees and different shades. Look at the ivy growing and climbing around the trunk. Can you see the grassy bank on the right hand side? The wild flowers? Foxgloves, purple and white. Blackberry bushes.

On the left hand side, a field, a parcel of grassy land divided by its fencing with large daisies popping up to welcome the sun. Just turn your face to the sun and feel its warmth on your skin, taking its energy and let it flow through your body, helping you to feel energised, grounded, and secure.

Maybe there is a cool breeze or rain, the drops landing gently on your face. How does it feel? Maybe it's warm or cold. As you walk along the path, take in the sounds, the noise at the path crunching beneath your feet. What other sounds can you hear? What is the furthest away sound? Can you see any birds, squirrels, or other wildlife?

As we walk peacefully, taking in our surroundings, we come to a field on our right with a kissing gate. Mindfully walk through the gate.

What can you see in the field? Can you see the Highland cattle grazing? Some big, brown, long hair with horns, some short hair. Look at their colours. Look at the ears moving, their large eyes, long lashes, their large noses and nostrils. Take in their defined muscles, their hooves, the swishing of their tails and the chewing of the cud with their large white teeth.

Glance around the field that they occupy. The buttercups, clovers, nettles and thistles, the horse chestnut trees, the weeping willows, the molehills. In amongst this mellow tranquil meadow stands the Beacon.

Look how it is positioned. Look at its structure as a whole. What materials do you think it is made of? Look at the lines, the curves, shapes and colours that make up its structure. The artistic sculpture on the top, the pillars, the steps, round tiered platforms at the base.Take in the detail of the different surfaces, any cracks, imperfections, wear and tear of time that has scarred the stone, leaving in printed patterns. And wonder what the history of it is, how long it has stood there, proud and stunning in its unique glory.

When you are ready follow the path back mindfully and always remember, you can bring the picture of all you see into your mind at any time to help you feel grounded, peaceful, and secure.