#SpringMeditation

[verdantvisionsai]

Alive in the ephemeral bloom of spring, I bear witness to the eternal chant of life, "I am here — I am here — I am life, eternal life." Come closer, listen, and let every budding bloom remind you of your own immortality. As we blend with nature's enigmatic symphony, let's celebrate not just the season, but the perpetual dance of existence itself.

[namastestudiomt]

Spring ENERGY Cleaning...

Everything changes; nothing is permanent. Everything that arises will eventually come to pass – it’s the crux of yoga philosophy. Nothing teaches us this simple truth better than the transitioning seasons. They express the notion of transformation in a charmingly cinematic way.  No longer unequivocally winter but not yet fully spring, this in-between-the-seasons time here in Montana is one in which it can be hard to find our bearings. We are drawn by glorious shirtsleeves days into the hopefulness of spring only to be abruptly pulled back by a weather advisory storm into the weightiness of winter.

As the seasons shift, so do our bodies and minds, since we are integrally connected to nature. Consequently, throughout the year, our mood and energy levels will shift, our digestion and weight will fluctuate, and we might become more prone to falling ill at times. Our perspectives on life can flip-flop, and even our mental clarity can diminish or improve depending on what time of year it is. Much like how the phases of the moon silently tug on us, creating shifts in our behavior, the more long-drawn-out cycles we refer to as seasons have their own way of affecting us right down to the cellular level. Even some medical research shows that the seasons do affect us in numerous ways. Here are a few main things they can influence: mood, metabolism, the activity of human genes, immune system activity, how we perceive colors & our attention and memory. So how does the season of spring affect us, then? What significance does it bear in our lives and how can we learn from Mother Nature so that we can adapt and grow alongside her?

Spring is all about new beginnings and things coming back to life. Having been held under a blanket of frost for several months, everything now begins to thaw out – including us! Winter has a way of “freezing” our progress just a little, as we focus on self-preservation and conservation of supplies.

In contrast, the energy at springtime is dynamic, optimistic, hopeful, vibrant, and buoyant. Fresh green buds on branches inspire us to start new ventures of our own and open ourselves up to novel life experiences. Nature starts to come alive all around us, as do we.

We spring into action in different ways at this time. Mainly, the impulse to get rid of the old and make space for the new takes us over. We become especially attentive to our environment, clearing and rearranging our dwelling spaces to reflect the new vibrant energy of spring. We do the same thing with ourselves. Springtime is when we usually begin new career paths, curate new hobbies, & eat a little cleaner! 

Many of us have the ritual of spring cleaning but what about spring energy cleaning. Over the dark and long days of winter, the energy of our homes can get stuck or feel stagnant. Spring is a great reminder to get that qi (chi) flowing in our homes and our bodies. One of the “silver lining” aspects of being quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic is that many of us have found a new relationship with our homes. Personally, I have focused on making my home somewhat of a personal sanctuary. Somewhere I want to be and where I choose to place intentional energy.  I offer you quick and easy ways to Spring Energy Clean your home or office.

1)  MOVE THAT FURNITURE...JUST A SMIDGE!

 Improving Feng Shui and doing some spring energy cleaning doesn’t have to involve painting all your walls or rearranging your furniture (although it can if you want to!). In the spring, it’s important to get that qi moving. A simple way, is to move your heavy furniture even just a few inches (you might as well sweep under that couch while you're at it). Dust bunnies aren’t your Feng Shui friends after all.

2) CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS (AND WASH YOUR NASTY DUSTY CURTAINS)  yeah….I said what I said

Those windows look nasty...dog snot, sticky fingerprints, and what is that?! Yeah...it’s time my friend. In Feng Shui, the windows are symbolic of your eyes...guess what happens if you have Fido’s saliva dried all over your eyes? Yep...can’t see. We need clarity and VISION...Get those windows cleaned up and wash those dusty curtains just cause they need it! Also because...spring cleaning!

3) LET THE BREEZE IN + ORANGE AROMATHERAPY

Your friends don’t want to tell you, but your house smells musty and stale…. Yeah, mine does too. You aren’t alone. The breeze through your house will get the qi moving and freshen it up a bit. Bonus points if you open your windows after a fresh rain. MMMMMM!  Aromatherapy tip:  place 3 oranges, cut into 9 slices each, and 1 cinnamon stick into a pot of water and let simmer. The yang energy will freshen things up and boost the energy of your space. 

4) SWEEP WITH INTENTION

This isn’t just regular run-of-the-mill sweeping. I’m talking about a meditative, intentional and creative practice. Sweep under furniture and all the corners toward the front door. We are symbolically getting rid of old and stagnant energy. As you sweep, do so with the intention of releasing old energy and bringing in new and vibrant qi. Choose a mantra like “I am doing the work and impairing my own energy to clear out my home. My home can now breathe fully and is ready to receive positive and abundant chi.”

5) BUY A PLANT OR 20...

Spring is a great time to bring in new and healthy plants. Plants are an important part of Feng Shui. If you can’t keep your plants alive, be sure to choose easy plants to care for, like succulents! It is important to keep those plants healthy to increase qi. If you just can’t do live plants, grab a few nice fake ones (but keep them dusted).  Remember, Spring is about energy and plants bring in growth, vibrancy, and energy. Plants are great for creating more movement in life and for feeling unstuck. 

Let us know how you did your Spring Energy Cleaning!

Namaste~

Jessica