I don’t know if you can see the cows in front of the mountain in the background – there was a whole line of them, adding to the serene, solid, sensible, stable and steady energy I was especially drawn to today.
Whether you have the Reek / aka Croagh Patrick or another mountain on your doorstep or no mountains, you can still benefit from that grounded, stable, steady, serene, sure, confident energy.
You could start with Mountain pose and move into some somatic coaching with this simple grounding and centring tool I love to share:
You could go to a mountain and let its strength and stability fill you. If you’re climbing it, many if not every step will be connecting you with your own resilience and strength and courage.
There will be times when you feel like it’s too high, too rocky, too whatever but you’ll be rewarded by a sense of achievement and amazing (assuming the weather allows) views.
You might want to consider your life so far.
What have been the biggest metaphorical mountains you’ve climbed?
What did you learn from each one?
How are you stronger as a result?
How can you keep this strength more in mind when you need it most moving forward?
You may want to do this mini mountain meditation:
Sitting, standing or even lying down comfortably, notice what’s happening with your breath.
No need to judge or change anything.
If you want to, you might want to experiment with a deeper breath and longer exhalation to help soothe the whole nervous system.
When you feel ready, imagine yourself as a mountain and feel yourself growing taller and steadier (this is easier done, lengthening the spine, while sitting or standing but if you’re lying down, you can still visualise that length and height).
With tree meditations, we can actively visualise our roots growing deep and strong, our branches reaching high up towards the sun.
With this mountain meditation, there’s no need for any of that. Simply let yourself rise almost imperceptibly. Minimal effort.
Notice how it feels to take a few breaths as you imagine yourself climbing or admiring a mountain of your choice.
Where do you imagine yourself on it? Happily at its foot, looking up at its majesty and grace?
Somewhere on the way up? Tired but energised to keep going?
At the top? Enjoying the view?
On your way back down? Feeling that sense of accomplishment but still being careful of every step?
Wherever you are with your metaphorical mountain right now, when you tune into connect with it, what is its gift to you?
What physical sensations are you most aware of as you connect with the mountain energy? Where do you feel them most strongly?
How is your image trying to help you navigate your life with greater ease and strength?
Any other insights you want to journal around or (if you feel like it) share?
I hope you find this helpful.
If you’d like to explore more, I often use guided imagery and visualisation tools with online clients as well as sharing quite a few in my book, 365 Ways to Feel Better: Self-care Ideas for Embodied Wellbeing (White Owl, 2017).
Big love,
