zengarden | ravenwolfsong

One of my favorite things to do is to go out in my backyard and pick up the small twigs and branches that fall from the canopy of trees surrounding my home. There is something very calming about the rhythmic movement of wandering barefoot through the messy grass – – -bending, grasping, collecting in my hands – – – each sacred stick.

Much of my life is spent reflecting on the experiences and connections I have created, and the spiritual lessons that I gain from each one. Often, I will try to step out of myself and become an observer so that my perspective is less reactive and personal. In this space of in-between, I am able to connect with the true knowing of who I am, a Soul Being of Light, who is very grateful to enjoy the physicalness of this earthly world.

In this way I am able to understand the steps that I need to take in order to continue my life of Walking in Beauty. If I choose to become unaware of the ways in which I am becoming, inevitably, I will be diverted from all that I want to be.

This is my belief, and I try to be mindful.

The rest of my consciousness is mostly tied up in planning the daily actions necessary for me to care and provide for my family. With all of this high-powered awareness, sometimes I crave the absolute nothingness of just being.

This is why picking up sticks is so quieting for me. There’s something freeing about inhabiting my body fully, with my senses completely engaged, and my mind drifting with the clouds in the sky. I find this time soothing to my nervous system while also being gently pleasurable.

The touch of the ground on the soles of my feet, the songs of life from the birds fluttering overhead. A grasshopper makes itself known in the tall grass, and a butterfly sips from a bright flower.

A little toad hops out from the garden clover hidden from my eyes until suddenly, here we are together, sharing in this sacred moment of just being.

I have been practicing the art of stick removal for many years. As you can see, I have accumulated a lovely stack of offerings that I have placed next to our outdoor fire ring. It’s an ongoing artistic collection that shifts and changes with every season.

I have no intention of creating a yard of perfection as I prefer the natural beauty of untethered nature. My main goal is to create a safe space for our beloved dog Skadi so that she can run from end to end on her daily barking patrols, and to also create a peaceful woodland-lake vibe.

Picking up sticks is the least I can do for my beautiful sanctuary.

The bigger branches are carefully added to the archway of my garden.

Everyone needs a magic portal to get from here to there, and then back again.

Each of these branches come from one of the guardian trees around us, thus making my garden archway more than just what it appears.

Sometimes, especially at night, I will stand directly underneath the highest point of the arc so that I am neither here nor there, but somewhere in between. I gaze quietly out into the nothingness around me, and smile.

As a Soul Being of Light – Picker Upper of Sticks – this is one of my favorite places to be.

Thank you for reading my blog. I would love to know how you find tranquility in nature, please share if you are so inclined.

In Peaceful Mindfulness, Raven

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I like to go outside at night before I drift off to sleep. I cherish the ritual of releasing the happenings of my day by looking out into the vast sky. It helps me to keep things in perspective, and also reminds me of the miracle of our existence.

It’s usually pretty late when I finally step outside, which makes it extra quiet, and in the darkness, nothing remains the same.

Last night, the moon was gentle bright – – low behind the trees.

I know every inch of my yard since I have lived here for over 30 years.

First, there is a well-worn path, made from the running back and forth of our beloved dogs beginning from before my babies were even born. Their names were Wolfie, then Nico, Timber and Aragon, and now our sweet Skadi.

Over the years my children and I naturally followed in the same hollow furrow which led from our front door… all the way around the deck…and into the back.

As we grew older the path became dirt – – smoothed by our footsteps. Often, I traverse it in the dark, each little divot memorized, the earth welcoming under my feet.

In one corner of our yard stands a Curly Willow tree. There is a large open area between her low hanging branches that seems to beckon me in for a hug, and so I cooperate, my back against her trunk.

I rest, leaning into her comforting strength, and look up through her branches.

My son Kai and I created a Woodland Zen Garden in the shady emptiness of our yard this Spring. It’s a work in progress but we have transformed a huge area into a retreat of beauty and peace.

Skadi keeping us company, she loves to lay in the fresh dirt

We have placed steppingstones and several large white rocks around its wandering borders. This helps me to see their glow at night as the moon shines upon them like beacons of light so I don’t stumble.

In the darkness I meander, my steps careful and silent. Sometimes I hear the Owls call to each other from across the trees. The wildlife around our lake serenades me as I place each foot mindfully.

There have been a few times where the inky blackness and a sudden strange noise send me scurrying back into the house. My imagination summoning up every scary story I’ve ever heard. More often though, I’m able to remain calm, safe in my familiarity.

Each season has its challenges, especially winter when I’m forced to limit how far I go into the darkness. The weather, the cycles of the moon, and the brightness of the stars, all influence my time spent outdoors.

I learn a lot from my escapades.

The circle of life continues, with or without us. The coming of night is an inevitable truth, and sometimes it happens before we are ready to let go of our day.

We can’t always see clearly what is right there before us, and even in the expected surroundings we may not always know what lies ahead.

It’s a fine balance to breathe in the uncertainty while embracing the comfort of the same.

The rocks, trees, and animal kingdom are our steadfast companions.

Flowers still bloom – – even in the darkness.

In Midnight Zen Peace,

Raven

Please follow and subscribe. I hope to be writing more often! Also, check out my other posts & pages, especially my tarot information if you are interested in receiving a reading.

Inspirational Wisdom from a Free-Spirited Soul