Connect with beyond human individuals, our planet, and other humans in ways that are meaningful to you. These mindfulness practices are offerings as a way to awaken your creativity to establish balance, bring more joy, and presence to your every day life. When journeying with grief, it is helpful to set an intention before you begin practice. Allow yourself to try these and other practices daily to allow for greater compassion for all beings.
Guided Visualization for Anticipatory Grief for Rescued Farmed Animals
I’m honored to be here with you all today. I’d like to start by dedicating this visualization to all beings. May their teachings of joy and compassion spread to all beings, big, small, winged, furry, feathered, scaled, two-legged, four-legged, reaching all with whom we share this beautiful world.
Start by noticing your feet and fingers, and take some deep breaths.
We’ll start by visualizing a red barn. Inside the red barn is a flock grieving for their friend.
RECOGNIZE or NAME the emotions and sensations in your body as you visualize the flock. ALLOW those emotions and sensations. Note what is happening in the present moment, and without judgment, let it be.
Imagine the flock inside the red barn as a painting. Notice the colors and shapes of who is in the image. Notice the details up close and what the painting looks like from afar.
Again, RECOGNIZE the emotions and sensations in your body. ALLOW those emotions and sensations.
You then use your camera to take a photo of the painting.
As you look at this photo, RECOGNIZE the emotions and sensations in your body. ALLOW those emotions and sensations.
This time, you’ll visualize a new setting. This is a place with the residents where you feel safe and secure.
Imagine that place as a painting. Notice the colors and shapes of who is in the picture. Notice the details up close and what the image looks like from afar.
You then use your camera to take a photo of the painting.
As you look at this photo, RECOGNIZE the emotions and sensations in your body. ALLOW those emotions and sensations.
Visualize the photo one more time and breathe deeply into that space.
When you’re ready, please open your eyes.
Loving-Kindness Meditation for All Beings
May love and compassion reach every being
For the tiny ones invisible to our eyes who live in our soil
For the beings who soar in flight
And the winged ones on the ground
For all beings who call the majesty of water their home
May love and compassion reach every being
Who has found sanctuary and for those who have not
No matter your number of legs, roots, scales, fins, wings,
And all other ways of being
If you are in need of love and light, we will live in the light with you
Guided Meditation for Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
In Memory of Eno, Sunshine, and Walter
When We Occupy New Spaces
As of June 5th, Denver has received around 10 inches of precipitation, leading to new homes and, in this case, spaces to swim. While standing in my presence, I noticed this duck found sanctuary on a field next to a grocery store. I was in awe and wondered, knowing it had transformed and had a new meaning. This area is known for ongoing development, surrounded by new housing, retail, and businesses.
What can we learn from animals in these moments? How does presence find its way into our busy lives? I am grateful for moments where free-living beings share these lessons. Find these lessons in your day-to-day lives by noticing the newness and what remains the same. If you’re unsure, you can start taking an inventory through observation. Over time, our appreciation and inspiration will become more apparent as our awareness is brought to the surface.
You may contemplate the following as you find yourself noticing other beings around you:
- What sounds are they bringing to the environment?
- How does their movement look in the air, water, or land?
- Who is with this individual?
- What are the individuals doing? Try to notice objectively.
A Guided Visualization with a Colorado Spruce and Other Beings
Meditative Sounds of Water with Ducks
A Memorial for a Jellyfish
My family and I came across the body of a jellyfish lying on the beach on a trip in the Spring of 2023. In memory of the jellyfish, their body was buried and a water ritual took place next to the waves where they were found. Please see the video below which includes the salt water used for their burial (shown in the photo on the left).
To view the ritual please click on the video below: