A Spacious Practice
Let your surroundings speak to you and change how you see
Here’s a thought (and a practice) to journey with today:
In my experience with intentional observation, be it through picture-taking or just taking in of my surroundings, I’ve noticed that adding beginner’s mind* to this simple practice moves the needle in a profound way.
It changes how we see.
I’ve noticed too, that changing how we see tends to change how we feel.
Usually for the better.
Call it a free upgrade.
Want to play with this a bit? Just follow the steps in the photos below.
It might even work some spacious magic to lighten your day.
Ahhh… 🙌🏼
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*Beginner’s mind: also known as Shoshin in Japanese, refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions.
Spacious Practice
Hiding in Plain Sight
What do you see that you hadn’t noticed before?
Photos by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
Before you begin, take a moment to notice how you are feeling. Notice your breathing, your energy level, your mood. Are you in a hurry? (There’s that word again.)
Next, call in your beginner’s mind as you slowly scroll through each photo below and settle on one or two that catch your eye. What do you notice? What do you feel? Has anything changed?
When you feel complete, answer the questions that follow to deepen your experience.
Your turn…
Which of the above photos captured your attention?
What changed, if anything, before you began scrolling, and after gazing for a bit with beginner’s mind?
What happens to your mood (energy level, breathing) when you go back and study the images for a few moments longer (up to a minute)?
In case you missed this…
The Art of Slow
Here are some Haiku and images to bring us back to the present moment, help us feel at home with ourselves, and invite some calm. What helps you slow down, find your center, and come alive?
Help Spread the Journey Home…
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Join our conversation about it
I love them all. But in particular I love the last one, of sand patterns. Perhaps because I love the seaside and have taken similar photos myself. But also because when you magnify the photo you can see so much more - the grains, and little stones…. and grains of sand might have been mountains once, you get a sense of timelessness… All the photos are fascinating and I will look at them again and again. Thank you Stephanie!