Opening thought: Have you ever been surprise by a sudden memory that crashes into your day unexpected? Sometimes these are happy ones, but not always. Then we might reminisce on a day, a happening, a particular time that left an impression in us.
Centering Meditation: Take time to just site and reminisce to this meditation music and images of nature. I will sit on Thursdays at 7:00 pm and think of you. You can sit for 5 minutes, 15 or more, just watching the images of nature reminds me of so much.
Centering Poem
Read the poem Cozy Apologia
for Fred
I could pick anything and think of you— This lamp, the wind-still rain, the glossy blue My pen exudes, drying matte, upon the page. I could choose any hero, any cause or age And, sure as shooting arrows to the heart, Astride a dappled mare, legs braced as far apart As standing in silver stirrups will allow— There you'll be, with furrowed brow And chain mail glinting, to set me free: One eye smiling, the other firm upon the enemy.
If you don’t get it, just check this beautiful analysis part 1 and 2
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. This is just one way. Then write whatever comes forth for you, it can be a poem or a story, just write.
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? How does the narrator of this story convey her thoughts about every day life? How does she explore her relationships.
Centering Ritual: Reminiscing can be a shared-act. Is there a memory you would like to share with someone, particularly a funny one or one about an unexpected adventure? Today is a good time to share it. This week engage in a "Remember when..." act with someone you have not reached out in a while. This week, write about your reminiscing. Then reflect on your writing. If you want you can add images, drawing, collages, quotes, photos in your journal.
A note from me:
Close reading reminds me of Lectio Divina and for some reason the contemplative tree at
Lectio Divina: Is defined as “divine reading” or “spiritual reading” intended to promote connection with G_d and provide spiritual insights. For me reading is a sacred act, a contemplative practice, a moment of silence and communion with a text, a narrative, a poem, a quote, each guiding me from another time and place. If this concept is too much, to intimate, then think of reading here as “close, contemplative, thoughtful reading and connection with the text, the narrative, poem, story, quote, image, movie, video etc.
Once, I was part of a fellowship at Columbia University, and my focus was on the healing aspects of narrative. I was lucky to register for the first course on Narrative Medicine with creator Rita Charon and Professor Maura Spiegel at Columbia University, I remember close thoughtful reading as aspect of Narrative Medicine. Since then, Narrative Medicine has become at Master’s Program at Columbia University and expanded to the Center of Narrative Practice. Prior to Narrative Medicine, Bibliotherapy/Poetry Therapy had a similar structure of close reading, writing, reflection and in Poetry Therapy, we reflect in writing on the learning from the writing of the close reading. For advance study and certification check The Institute of therapeutic writing
Methods used : Narrative Medicine, Narrative Practice, Bibliotherapy/Poetry Therapy
When training in any of these methods, at the core of all of them is the study of poetry, story, novels, graphic novels, film, drama and other forms of arts, there is always : close reading, or viewing, reflective writing and creative writing, and in some cases reflection of the writing or creative writing, and my favorite "critical theory" which in Narrative Practice it is defined as "attending to stories that have no place among the repertoire of “legitimate” narratives--those of the vulnerable or silenced-- require narrative skill." The reflective writing becomes a narrative intervention, a moving forward from the reading, writing and reflection. What have I learned? What does this mean to me? How do I move forward with this learning.
Contemplative Centering Practices:
Check out the Center for Contemplative Mind you will see here the contemplative tree, on the bottom you will see “Centering” on one of the branches, and close by you will see Lectio Divina. This is what they say, “The Tree illustrates some of the contemplative practices currently in use in secular organizational and academic settings. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list. Below the tree you will find links to descriptions of many of these practices as well as a more in-depth description of the tree and image files for downloading.” There is an empty Tree to add your own Centering activities. I took their summer training about six years ago and continue to practice what I learned and share with other in academic settings the power of contemplative practice for our health and well being.
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.
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