This is the fifth stop on the Mindfulness Tour, standing by the lake shore at the bottom of the slope and looking out over the water.
When you are ready, listen to the audio track and do the exercises.
Make sure your volume is on: "Mindfulness 5 - The Lake Shore"
If you are not there just close your eyes, and use your imagination and picture a lake. It may be one that you can just make up in your mind, or one that you have been to before.
We have descended from the steps and grassy slope and are now standing at the front of the lake. Lets just take a few moments to get comfortable and supported, just touching base with the flow of our breath moving in and out of our body.
When you are ready, take in the image of the lake. The body of water - is it large or small? What shape is it?
Is the water clear? Is the colour blue, green or another colour? Where does the breeze touch your skin? What can you smell around you? What sounds can you hear?
See how the body of water is held in the earth like a receptive basin. Held and contained. Does it look deep or shallow in places?
What surrounds the lake? Can you see trees, reeds, banks, fishing points?
Is the surface of the lake flat or mirrorlike? What reflections can you see in it? Can you see leaves, trees, sky or clouds? It holds everything in itself, momentarily.
Does the wind blow up, and stir up ripples that move over the water? When it does, do the reflections distort or disappear? Is the sunshine sparkling on the ripples? Watch how it dances on the tiny waves like a ray of shimmering diamonds.
What birds can you see? Look at their colours, their feathers, the shape their beaks, how they glide across the water. Just watch their beauty for a while.
Can you see any other wildlife around the lake? Just spend the last few minutes taking in the lake and all its beauty, all the colours. Take in the lake as a whole. Being in this present moment. How it makes you feel.
Remember you can carry the picture of all you see with you. Use the memory of it wherever you are, helping you to feel calm and grounded. At any time, you can take yourself back here, remembering the beauty and calm of this little bit of paradise.
When you have finished, follow the path on your right through the trees until you emerge at the back of the lake opposite the island, under a large spreading oak tree.