The “Sit Spot” Practice
/Choose a “sit spot” to spend 5 minutes in regularly throughout the week; a sit spot is simply a place to regularly visit where you can observe a small corner of the natural world. A sit spot is really about giving yourself the opportunity to quiet your mind and focus your senses on nature. Perhaps it’s on a front step, on a bench in the park, or another favorite place that’s easy to revisit regularly. Bring your awareness to your surroundings. Tune in, rather than zoning out while in your sit spot… Practice opening your senses and observing the wild around you!
Look around at where you are…
Notice what’s happening with the plants, trees & birds of this place
Check what kind of sounds you can hear in the landscape
Are there birds? Insects? Squirrels or other mammals?
Notice the overall level of activity (or lack thereof) and see if you can track what’s causing these conditions
Pay attention to whatever is present in this environment, and tuck it away in your memory so you can identify the differences later on
Let this simple act slow your pace, interrupt your speed. How willing are you to be stopped? Notice how it feels when you pause for this.
We all will spend a lifetime remembering, practicing and discovering what nourishing, fruitful rest looks like in our lives. It will be different for each of us. And what works for you today may not feel so nourishing or fruitful tomorrow. Practicing something is what matters!
It can really help to hear what others are trying and discovering. So, we are gathering up our community wisdom (yes - yours too!) this series to be edited together and released on June 23.
What was your version of this practice?
How did it feel to try it? What was it like?
Record a 1-minute voice memo on your phone and share your version of this practice and what it was like! Thanks!
