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Last week I shared a powerfully transformative experience that awakened me to the abundance of Nature to be found in NYC’s otherwise harsh, concrete environment.

This week I’ll talk a little bit about two courses of a study—a permaculture design certificate (PDC) and a feng shui/eco-design certificate—I was taking around the time of the baby trees' arrival.

These two frameworks offered a new way of Noticing and thinking about my relationship to other living beings as well as “non-living” objects in my environment.  They also provided a way of considering my actions in terms of their potential impact.
 

Permaculture


Permaculture is a holistic design paradigm that intentionally seeks to replicate the inter-connectedness of Nature’s eco-systems, but within the context of human activity and our built environments.  It was co-originated in the 1970's by William Mollison and David Holmgren, both from Australia.

At its core, permaculture emphasizes a recognition and cultivation of the beneficial relationships between and among the elements of a system, rather than viewing them as separate, stand-alone components, and in terms of their individual characteristics or qualities.

A holistic approach such as this, also increases the likelihood of a system’s resilience and abundance, and ultimately, how successful it will be in achieving its overall, primary goals.

Replicating similar patterns within our own human systems—our families, friendships, communities, etc.— can help us create similar opportunities for personal and communal resilience and abundance.  Put another way…

…if we are mindful, thoughtful and deliberate
about our relationships with others and how they support us,
this might also help mitigate the stress in our lives!

 

Feng Shui


Feng shui is a similar, but far older, philosophy.  It is often popularly, but very mistakenly thought of merely as a system for rearranging the furniture in order to enhance one's luck or fortune.

However, that is only the most superficial understanding of this ancient Chinese design discipline, which itself arose from an even older one called the "Tao" (pronounced DOW), when translated means "way" or "path".  Taoist principles guided thinking about the universe, nature's rhythms and man's place within that context.

Feng shui, literally translated, means "wind" and "water" and emphasizes balance (yin & yang) and the mindful awareness of Nature and the physical objects (including furniture!), that exist within our interior and exterior spaces.
 

The Start of My Mindful Journey


Thus, began my first steps along this mindful path, which continues today.  I’m extremely grateful for encountering these two disciplines when I did as well as the Teachers with whom I studied.

If you’re interested in learning more about these two disciplines, you can read about them on my blog, With Intent (where I explore ways of creating mindful, intentional lifestyles), in the Living With Intent – Part 1: An Introduction.

And of course, there are many resources available about these two disciplines on the Internet.
 

In Mindful Closing…


Mass media abounds with imagery depicting meditation as a mostly quiet, but solitary practice…an individual seated calmly in lotus position, eyes closed.

And even when meditators are displayed in a group, there still doesn’t appear to be any interaction taking place.  However, keep in mind this imagery is reflective of formal practiceInformal practice, on the other hand, allows your practice to unfurl in as many ways to as you can imagine.

The frameworks described above provide ways of mindfully and intentionally thinking, seeing and doing as you move through your life.

Cultivating a practice that takes place, beyond the cushion, whenever, wherever, however and with whomever you happen to be—whether by yourself or in community with others; in quiet contemplation or engaged in lively, raucous social interaction or activism.
 
It is entirely up to you!

If you’d like additional support exploring ways to liven up your practice in this way, consider enrolling in my “Mindfulness & Meditation: Refresh & Deepen Your Practice Simply…Beautifully…Uniquely” coaching program.  Enrollment is now open and registration details are available HERE (and if you sign up by Friday, June 17th, you’ll receive 10% off the regular $400 pricing)!

So, step outside!  Get out of your comfort zone and mix it up!  But whatever you decide, always try to remember to take a moment to Pause, Breathe and Be Still!

Sincerely,

Jill
Founder, Mindful Renaissance
Certified Mindfulness Instructor, 2021

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