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"It is time now, I said, for the deepening and quieting of the spirit among the flux of happenings...About tomorrow, who knows anything. Except that it will be time, again, for the deepening and quieting of the spirit."
- Mary Oliver
A Sit Spot or a Magic Spot is a place in nature that you visit regularly as a way to build reciprocal relationship. Ideally, it's somewhere near your home so you can access it fairly easily.
The invitation is to allow yourself to be called to a place. You may step into your backyard or go to a local park or forest and wander until you feel drawn to a spot. When you arrive, take a moment to ask permission if it is somewhere you are meant to spend some time. When you ask this question, you might receive a response in many different ways. It may be a sensation in your body, the call of a bird, or a gentle gust of wind. Let go of your rational mind, listen deeply, and let the messages come forth.
Once you find a place that feels right, the next step is to give an offering. This might be a slow, intentional breath; it might be a line from a poem or song; it might be a pinch of tobacco or cedar. Personally, I give a couple strands of hair as a way of giving back part of myself in exchange for all the gifts I receive.
At this point, the task is to sit down and quiet your mind. Let go of any thoughts or distractions from your day and enter into a state of embodied presence. Next, begin to tune in with each of your senses. Start by softening your gaze or closing your eyes. Feel the sense of connection between your body and the earth beneath you. Notice every sound you can hear, starting with the most subtle to the farthest away. Pay attention to all the smells and anything you can taste in the air. Be careful not to touch or taste anything you're not familiar with! Finally, with each of your other senses open, lift your gaze and take in everything you can see. Soak in all the colours, shapes, and textures.
Stay as long as you can, at least 20 minutes. Pay attention to the subtle things you don't normally notice. Allow yourself to be curious and open to beauty that is all around. Rest in the full-bodied awareness you have cultivated. At this point, you may feel called to record what you experience in your journal.
Before you leave, make sure to give another offering in gratitude. It may or may not be the same thing you offered when you arrived. Allow yourself to be open to what feels right. For the full experience, continue this practice regularly, at least once a week. Notice what shifts over time throughout the seasons. Pay attention to the changes you experience in yourself and how your relationship with the place shifts as you deepen connection.
If you'd like to explore this further, join me for a guided Forest Therapy Session where I offer a number of other invitations to support your process: https://www.innercadence.com/forest-therapy.
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