At Home in Our Skin

Journaling reflection practice for today’s passage

Today’s Flow and Yin Yoga class centered around a passage from Mark Nepo’s book, “The Book of Awakening”, which has a unique passage for each day of the year. I chose to read todays passage (April 10th) because it spoke to me so much.

“The Spiritual life is about becoming more at home in your own skin”

Parker J. Palmer

“Anything that removes what grows between our hearts and the day is spiritual. It might be the look of a loved one stirring their coffee as morning light surprises their groggy eyes. It might be the realization while watching a robin building its nest act you are only a temporary being in this world. It might be a fall on ice that reminds you of the humility of your limitations.

As Parker Palmer suggests, the aim of all spiritual paths, no matter their origin or the rigors of their practice, is to help us live more fully in the lives we are given. In this way, whatever comes from a moment’s grace that joins us to our lives and to each other - this is spiritual….

The life of spirit is everywhere: in dust waiting for light, in music waiting to be heard, in the sensations of the day waiting to be felt. “

Mark Nepo’s Meditation - “Center yourself, and as you breathe, realize that your spirit fills your life the way your bones and blood fill your hand”

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Now feel how spirit fills your body like your blood fills your whole being. Feel the physical sensation of spirit presence in your body right now, you might call it consciousness or great mystery. Tune in and notice what sensations you feel. Is there a part of your body where you feel more sensation?

If your eyes are closed, open them while maintaining contact with the sensations of your inner being. Notice what its like to look at the world around you, noticing light, shadow, texture, color, smells, shapes. What do you gravitate towards? What intrigues or mystifies you? Spend the next 10-15 minutes journaling about what you are noticing, checking back in with spirit emanating from your inner being several times throughout.

You might follow the journaling with another form of self care for yourself. This might look like resting, lying down, taking a bath, eating food, drinking tea, stretching your body or anything else that calls to you. I invite you to continue feeling spirit essence emanating from your body as you move through the next few hours.

with care,

Maeve