Opening thought: Week 3: Day 2, Gratitude for non-human companions. Those keeping us company take many forms. Animal companions need our care as much as we enjoy their company and comfort they provide.
Centering Meditation Keith Smith’s guided meditation dedicated to the love, connection and companionship of our pets, past and present. I will sit with my Suki and my Duke on Thursdays at 7:00 pm and think of you.
Meditation Reflection: Usually, we would take a few moments to reflect on this mediation. For now, you can take your journal and write a few notes on your experience of this meditation.
Centering Poem: Comfort Animal by Joy Ladin
A voice says, “Your punishment has ended.”
You never listen to that voice. You really suck
at being comforted.
Another voice says, “Cry.”
That voice always gets your attention,
keeps you thinking
about withered flowers and withering grass
and all the ways you’re like them.
Hard to argue with that.
Death tramples you, an un-housebroken pet
trailing prints and broken stems,
pooping anxiety, PTSD, depression.
(note this poems continues click below)
Close reading – To do a close reading you take the text and read it first silently, and then out loud to connect with the language, the words, the story of the poem or text. Let the words seep into your body, let thoughts, images, emotions and memory surface and highlight what in the text is stirring such memories . Write a poem, story, or whatever comes up for you.
Centering Reflection & Writing:
As you read what you wrote reflect on the following: What do you notice? What are you aware of? What do you feel? What are you curious about? To reflect on the reflection is a practice of bibliotherapy. What comes up for you? What words, sentences, thoughts stir something within you?
Closing & Centering Ritual: Make a special occasion of playing, or grooming, the animal people that keep you company.
To learn more about these centering rituals check our page, Centering Ritual
Thank you Dr. Ortega for allowing me to use your centering rituals first published in Open Plaza. They have been the inspiration for grounding, centering, and creative self-expression. Today, I have used Dr. Ortega’s “opening thought”, recommended poem, and “centering ritual”. Other parts of todays centering were added by me.