Merry Meet and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again

Saturday, September 1, 2012

An Exercise in Listening

You know I love my porch glider. It is the perfect spot for a daily meditation. Especially on a beautiful morning such as this; sunny, blue skies, soft breezes, not too hot yet. Today, I want to listen to nature. Just the sounds around me that have nothing to do with human-made things. Join me?

The porch is covered so no need to fret about getting hot or burned. It is fairly quiet in the neighborhood, so it should be easy to tune out all those mechanical noises of cars passing, mowers running, a hammer in the distance. Let those sounds recede into oblivion.

Eyes are closed, not screwed up tight, just relaxed. Breathing is slow and regular. Start off with three slow deep breaths, in for a moment, then breathe out. It is so peaceful. We will glide gently on the swing, or stay at rest now and again. However the spirit moves.

Notice the obvious sounds first.

Sparrows twittering, not too far away, probably in the willow shrub. A blue jay calls. The maple trees are shifting and shuffling, sounding much like silk fabric rustling softly.

Now to start listening a little more carefully.

Tiny insects in the grass, perhaps small crickets. They are not as loud as their night cousins. Cicadas in the tall trees across the road. Those noisome flies zoom around, just ignore them.

The old pine tree at the corner of the house; listen. It sighs. Long deep-green needles, thousands of them, moving in harmony with the little breezes that dart about the heavy branches. A beautiful sound.

Buzzing. Getting louder. Keep eyes closed. Don't look, don't panic. It is the hornet. Buzzing right by the ear. Go away, go away. We won't bother you, don't bother us. Okay, calm down, the buzzing is moving away. Oh, good. Relax, glide gently. Breathe and relax.

Peace again. Wings of a mourning dove whistle as it takes flight. A slight skittering sound across the deck, must be that vole heading back to his hidey-hole after raiding the garden.

The breeze ebbs and flows and we know, with eyes closed, that butterflies are floating through the yard, lightly landing on a flower, too quiet to hear, but definitely there. The thrumming of the hummingbird wings suddenly there, then quickly gone. Gliding and listening, smelling the last of the summer scents.

And if you turn your head, just so...just right, and listen with your magickal sense, you can hear sunbeams, dropping to the earth, dancing in the garden amongst the clover.




12 comments:

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Your narrative journey throught the listening in your garden is lovely. I feel much more at peace now that I came for my daily visit BB,OmaLinda

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Beautiful! I am so there! May I bring some baking?

mxtodis123 said...

The wonders of country life. It sounds so lovely. I can so picture it all because once I was there.
Mary

Lady Caer Morganna said...

Ahhh yes, I hear you! And that is precisely why I hope we never have to leave our comfy home! :-)

Hugs,

Kim

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Mmmmm, closing my eyes, I hear the sound of a chainsaw as My Rare One cuts about three feet off the top of our huge lilac hedge. Big job but it needs to be done. She loves using her chainsaw.

Anonymous said...

Sounds very much like my mornings over here, wonderful :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.

Wendy S. said...

That was so beautiful. I stopped a moment to listen to the sounds around me and heard the birds chirping which resonated with your birds. Thank you

Introverted Art said...

This is beautiful Robin, I could almost smell the earth, the dirt, nature... it is something I really miss...

Magic Love Crow said...

I am with you Robin! I feel so calm. Such a beautiful mediation! Thanks my friend ;o) Hugs ;o)
(Thanks for the great comment on my blog ;o))
Love the new background on your blog ;o)

Lili said...

Oh Robin I absolutely adore how you appreciate and are able to beautifully express the joys of nature as it unfolds all around us. It took me a long time, but I have made my way over to get caught up with what's been going on in your neck of the woods. Thanks so much for your visit tonight and for your lovely comments! xoxo ~Lili

Anonymous said...

This is such a beautiful post, Robin. I really need to take the time to just sit very soon. It has been far too long. Thank you for taking me on this virtual journey. Hugs, sweetie.

Jeanne said...

A wonderfully beautiful and peaceful post. Thank you for sharing your porch glider with me. I have very much enjoyed the visit. And we should all take more time to sit and listen! ♥