Last summer, my husband and I visited Litchfield County in Connecticut for the weekend. It’s a beautiful, rural area, with a very low population density, rolling hills, rushing rivers, and pristine forests. There's an active conservation movement in the area, who’ve created many nature preserves to protect the land and the animals that live there. It’s easy to think that this part of the country remains unspoiled by humans and in its natural state, but it isn’t so. Not long ago, it was dirty, polluted, and deforested, which we learned when we visited the Kent Iron Furnace.
Built in 1825, this blast furnace was one of forty in the region that operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Run by hundreds of workers, it produced iron under dangerous industrial conditions, and polluted the nearby air, water, and land—an acre of forest a day was necessary to keep the fires burning to melt the ore. But today, amazingly—just over a century since it closed in 1892—the furnace has been reclaimed by the earth, and the surrounding countryside is verdant and reforested, alive with woodland creatures and sweet-smelling air.
As humans, our perspective is limited by our lifespans, which are very short compared to the cycles of the natural world, also called deep time. Circumstances and situations that might seem permanent or perpetual are not, and if we look closely, we can see that everything and everyone is impermanent and ever-changing. That’s why it’s important to cultivate a long view — to take into account not only what’s happening right now or in the near-term, but also to consider future possibilities that can happen decades and even centuries from now. With a long view, we can make wise actions in our lifetime to create healthy and equitable conditions for everyone to thrive, the outcomes of which we might never see.
Since today is the Winter Solstice, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to develop your long view through your direct experience of the longest night of the year*, the progression of the seasons, and the continuing cycle of decline and growth. Take a few minutes to sit quietly without your devices, shut off the lights, and take a few deep, conscious breaths. Notice your feet on the ground and remember the earth is holding you. Think of a friend who is struggling, and put your hand on your heart and say silently to them, “May you be at peace with the arising and passing of all nature.” After a few minutes, think of yourself, and say, “May I be at peace with the arising and passing of all nature.” for a few minutes. Then consider all of us frustrated and short-sighted humans, and say silently to everyone, “May we be at peace with the arising and passing of all nature.”
Annual Intention Setting Ceremony
In the New Year, we often make resolutions to do things differently; change our diet, visit new places, be nicer, get a new job. Usually these resolutions remain unfulfilled because we’re not looking at what’s behind all our actions, speech, and thoughts: our intentions. Join me on January 6th for our online New Year Intention Setting Ceremony. You’ll learn how to uncover your highest purpose, clarify and set your intention for 2022 and beyond, and honor your best self with encouragement and wisdom, not force or will-power.
No experience with meditation is necessary and everyone is welcome to this special event. Use this link for registration and more information.
Share Your Blessings
May everyone celebrating Christmas this weekend be peaceful, happy, and loved. May everyone not celebrating Christmas this weekend be peaceful, happy, and loved. May it be so!
Metta+++,
Kim✨
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Loved this reminder about "deep Time", Kim.