Earth Day

Find a way you can make a planetary difference today. Check out: http://www.earthday.org/

For reflection:

We join with the earth and with each other.
To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air
We join with the earth and with each other.

To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures
We join with the earth and with each other.

To celebrate the seas
To rejoice the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars
We join with the earth and with each other.

To recall our destiny
To renew our spirits
To reinvigorate our bodies
 We join with the earth and with each other.

To create the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children

We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of all life.

From “Only One Earth,” a United Nations Environment Programme publication for “Environmental Sabbath/Earth Rest Day,” June 1990


  

1. After you've reviewed instructions for all sessions, begin with your hands resting in your lap. Bring your attention to your breath, not changing it, just notice if the breaths are coming quickly or slowly, deeply or more shallow. Continue this way for at least 5 breaths.
 
2. Notice if all edges of your feet are evenly rooted to the floor. Wiggle the toes, then lift them as you rock back onto your heels, rolling both feet onto their left edges, then press into the balls, rocking over to the right edges, finally placing both feet solidly on the ground with equal pressure. Repeat that circle to the left this time. Did focusing on your feet take you away from your breath? Bring your calm attention back to the breath once again.
 
3.  On your next inhale, reach your arms wide, feeling a stretch through the front of your torso. As you exhale, bring hands to the center of your chest, palms pressed together with thumbs touching sternum. ("heart center") Repeat 3 times.
 
4. Lift one foot foot and circle the ankles 3 or 4 times in each direction. Repeat with other foot. Finish with both feet resting back on the floor.
 
5. As you inhale, lift hands overhead, reaching for the ceiling, again exhaling the hands back to heart center. Repeat 3 times.
 
6. On the next inhale, just lift one arm straight up. As you exhale bend the elbow so that your hand drifts behind your neck toward the space between your should blades. Your elbow stays next to your ear, pointing up at the ceiling as you try to stretch your fingers further down your back. Keep reaching for another 3 breaths, then inhale the arm straight up again and exhale it back down to your lap. Repeat with opposite arm.
 
7. You just gave yourself a pat on the back! Now you deserve a some more quiet breathing before heading back to your busy day. Reread #1, commit to those 5 breaths, then enjoy your day!