2023 Lent Calendar, Week 4

March 12, Farvardegan-

1. Nature Mentor: Continuing with Brian Mertin's fantastic post: How Does Animal Communication Work? Last week I was reading about his formula for animal communication, sensory awareness + intuition, with some common sense thrown in.

First, stop thinking like a human, and use common sense to deduct: Animals are almost 100% focused on survival, so that's what they are probably communicating about, and that includes food, enemies, mating, and sanctuary.

Second, work on systematically developing your sensory awareness to become better at accessing your innate skills.

Third, you should also keep an intuition journal, to record whenever you get a gut feeling, or a flash of an image in your mind. Keep 80-90% of your focus external, and 10-20% internal, to catch any subconscious information.

And finally, practice being non-threatening. "Cultivate a quiet, peaceful and open attitude towards all of nature, and they will see that you are becoming more like them."

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #32 is to Be the Pebble. When you have too many thoughts swirling in your head try this simple practice for stilling your mind.

1. Find a quiet spot where you can take a short break.
2. Pick a neutral word, phrase, or image that won't stimulate more thinking (a word like calm, or an image like a pebble).
3. Give gentle attention to your pebble-word for just a couple of minutes. If your thoughts wander just bring them back to the pebble.

3. Give thanks: During the 10 days of Farvardegan, Zoroastrians show love and gratitude to the Fravashis, or Guardian Angels, for all the help they give during the year. They give thanks to two types of Fravashis - those helping Nature and those helping people. Every creation has a Fravashi: They help waters to flow, plants to grow, clouds to go where needed, and the sun, moon and planets to go around in their orbits. They uphold the sky and earth.

Today as I work quietly in my garden, I thank the earth for caring for me, and the angels for caring for the earth.

4. Plastic fast: 

Stop buying those large plastic jugs of laundry detergent. The laundry detergent aisle at your grocery store is Plastic Central; those bulky and colorful high density polyethylene plastic jugs are incredibly harmful for the environment and contribute to a large portion of our household plastic pollution. In North America alone, more than30-billion loads of laundry are run every year, which adds up to about 900-million laundry jugs, and only about 30 percent of these are recycled, despite co-mingle recycling. That means 630-million plastic jugs are finding their way into North American landfills on a yearly basis.

Buy laundry detergent in cardboard boxes, which are much easier to recycle. Or try laundry soap sheets - they work great! These pre-measured, dissolvable sheets carry all the laundry cleaning power of liquid detergent without the plastic containers.

 

March 13-

1. Nature Mentor: Following a link from Brian Mertin's post on animal communication I found these 8 Amazing Sensory Awareness Exercises. He says that typical modern humans use barely 1% of their true sensory capabilities, and all it takes is daily practice to develop this skill.

#1 The Sense Meditation

​Find a place to sit outside and focus all your attention on being present for at least 5 minutes. Best results come from doing it for 20 minutes or longer, and as a daily routine.

Start by closing your eyes and taking a few moments to relax. Feel the different parts of your body relaxing. Feel the weight of your body against the ground. Feel your breath floating in and out.

Listen deeply to all the sounds happening around you. How many different sounds can you hear? What’s the farthest sound you can hear? What’s the quietest sound you can hear?

Use your nose to smell the environment around you. Feel the sunshine and wind on your face. Really tune in and pay attention.

​Finally open your eyes and gaze softly at the world. Allow your visual field to open up in every direction. Keep your head still but notice the movement of birds, wind, and squirrels in the corner of your eye. Just sit in total openness with all your senses engaged for as long as you want. 

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #33 is S.T.O.P. for Clarity of Purpose. It's another acronym! This one helps you to Slow down, Tune in, Observe, and Prepare for your purpose. Use it when things are moving too fast, and you feel overwhelmed.

1. Slow down and take 3 calming breaths.
2. Tune in to your body, starting at your feet and moving up to your head, noticing and releasing any tensions.
3. Observe your surroundings using all your senses, and identify at least one thing that is pleasant or soothing in your environment.
4. Prepare for your purpose. Ask yourself what purposeful action you can take that allows you to respond thoughtfully and not reactively.

3. Plastic fast: Fabric softener is another plastic to avoid. Obviously, jugs of fabric softener are as bad as detergent jugs, but did you know that dryer sheets are typically made from nonwoven polyester (also known as a plastic)? Each sheet can only be used once, and they can’t be recycled, so they end up in landfills for years to come.

Try wool dryer balls instead. They are an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative to single-use dryer sheets and fabric softener. They work by bouncing off clothes to soften them, and they also help clothes stay separated in the dryer so air can flow more freely, reducing drying time by 25 percent per load. Best, they last up to an impressive 1,000 loads.

March 14, Third Quarter Moon-

1. Nature Mentor: Continuing with Brian Mertin's post on 8 Amazing Sensory Awareness Exercises:

#2 Advanced Peripheral Vision

When I first started developing my sensory awareness I noticed it was very difficult to stay in peripheral vision for long periods of time. ... If I blinked or moved my eyes to look at something, suddenly my awareness would snap back to the centre. I also found that if I moved my head, again I would lose awareness of my peripheral field. 

 

It’s possible to train yourself out of these habits so that eventually you can move through all aspects of life with a keen awareness of your peripheral vision. Here are some simple ways to exercise the skill:

• Practice staying in peripheral vision while blinking
• Practice staying in peripheral vision while moving your head from side to side or in circles
• Practice staying in peripheral vision while moving your eyes from side to side or in circles
• Practice staying in peripheral vision while walking, reading, watching TV, any other activity that restricts your attention.

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #34 is to Elevate Your View. When you get stuck in a mental or emotional rut, try this way of elevating your perspective to create space for restoring your resilience.

1. Picture yourself high on a hilltop, looking down on the situation or rut in which you find yourself.  From this viewpoint, ask yourself, "What new perspective does this view offer me?" Maybe you can see that you are not alone, or that there is an easy way out.
2. From the hill top, take a deep breath, and take time to relax and feel free of the rut. Remember and recognize that this situation is temporary. Soon you will move into a new chapter. 
3. Finally, as you watch the scene from above, reflect on a new attitude you could take at this moment. How will the next chapter begin?

3. Plastic fast: Wash synthetic fabrics on delicate setting with cold water. All clothing sheds microfibers when you wash it, but the washing of synthetic textiles (fleece, acrylics, polyesters, and blends) is the main source of microplastic pollution in the ocean, because their microfibers contain plastic that is released into rivers and oceans. Fleece and other synthetic fabrics break down less with cold water and a gentle cycle. Also, consider just washing your clothes less often.

March 15-

1. Nature Mentor: Continuing with Brian Mertin's post on 8 Amazing Sensory Awareness Exercises:

#3 Advanced Listening Skills

Start by picking a sound that repeats over and over again. It could be a birdsong, or an occasionally breeze that makes the tree leaves rustle every minute or so. ​I call these repetitive sounds, “natural rhythms” because if you listen carefully they have a rhythm and a tempo that changes in very subtle ways over time.

The trick to hearing these subtle changes is counting. Try counting each and every instance of that bird song. If your mind drifts and you miss one… go back and start again. I bet you can’t count ten in a row without a lot of practice.

Eventually you’ll notice that the time between songs does indeed have subtle variations. Sometimes a bird will sing 5 in a row and then pause for a few minutes before starting again in a new location. These shifts in bird activity will really stand out to you once you start paying careful attention, and there’s really no limit to how far you can develop this skill.

​I’ve gotten to the point where I can have a conversation with somebody, while simultaneously tracking the calls and sounds of multiple songbirds across a wide landscape. It comes in handy when the sound pattern shifts from songs & feeding activity to alarm calls of cats or owls in the woods nearby.

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #35 is to Be the Gate of the Mind. Whenever you become "lost in thought" (perhaps self-critical or judgmental thoughts) so that your thoughts become more real than reality, you can pull yourself back to the present moment.

1. First, when you notice your mind wandering, simply label it as "thinking," without any judgement. If you are also experiencing an emotion, you can also name that, so that you become clearly aware of it.
2. As the kindly gate-keeper, gently refocus your attention back on the present moment and whatever you are actually doing. Patiently repeat this as often as you need to.

3. Plastic fast: Use a microfiber filter. The jury is still out on the efficiency of filters, but a few products claim to keep microplastics out of wastewater when you wash your clothes. The Cora Ball is a pinecone-esque laundry ball that catches microfibers in the wash; the LINT Luv-R is a filter that attaches to the washing machine outflow; and a Guppyfriend bag is a self-cleaning fabric bag made of a specially designed micro-filter material that you wash your clothes in.

March 16

1. Nature Mentor: Continuing with Brian Mertin's fantastic post: How Does Animal Communication Work?:

#4 Blindfolding

Blindfolding is one of the best ways to improve your awareness of hearing, feeling & smelling. Just put on a blindfold and go exploring in the woods. Bonus points if you’re able to walk quietly while blindfolded.

Remember to stop frequently and listen. It’s not about covering distance or getting to any specific destination. It’s about paying attention. You’ll be more successful by moving slowly and taking time to really feel and explore your landscape. Try to mentally map your movements and then test your accuracy afterwards.

It’s also a good idea to have someone with you making sure you don’t hurt yourself (or walk off a cliff). Though I do sometimes practice alone in my backyard where I know the terrain and always have a pretty good idea of where I am.

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #36 is Mental Flossing. This practice helps to clear away the accumulation of foggy thinking and exhaustion that builds up in the mind throughout the day.

1. Morning: Stretch your body and savor the fresh morning air. Think of your day's purpose and how you might manifest it.
2. Daytime: Make meaningful contact with other beings, with smiles, hugs, and other forms of communication. Listen to music. Eat a nourishing back.
3. Evening: Express your love to loved ones. Spend time in your garden, or with a hobby. Exercise for a few minutes.
4. Bedtime: Say a prayer, or express gratitude.

3. Plastic fast: Purchase sustainable fabrics. We would like to think that natural fabrics are better for the environment, but nothing is that simple. When you shop for clothes, look for sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, linen, vegetable-tanned leather, and an amazing array of new environmentally friendly fabrics. Also, buying used clothing is a super-sustainability practice!

March 17, St. Patrick's Day

1. Nature Mentor: Continuing with Brian Mertin's fantastic post: How Does Animal Communication Work?

#5 Going Barefoot

Going barefoot opens up a world of sensory stimulation. It also comes with some really major awareness challenges. Just take your shoes off and you will immediately feel a need to slow down and be more attentive to where you’re stepping, especially if you combine going barefoot with being blindfolded.

When walking barefoot there will be a tendency to look down towards your feet however, when possible you should resist the urge to look down. Instead, practice using your peripheral vision to look out in front of you and use your feet like a second pair of eyes to feel the ground you walk on.

You’ll want to move much more slowly at first and you may even find your balance shaky. Don’t commit your weight until you’re certain you won’t be stepping on a sharp stick or rock. I started by practicing on grass and gradually moved into more challenging and hazardous terrain.

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #37 is an Instant Focus Booster. When coffee isn't the answer, this practice can help to wake up your brain cells and improve your concentration.

1. Clasp your fingers and place your hands under your chin, elbows down.
2. Count to 4 as you slowly breathe in and raise your elbows like butterfly wings. Let your chin and head tilt backwards and upwards. (Don't take so deep a breath that you feel light-headed.)
3. Hold your breath for a count of 4.
4. Exhale slowly for a count of 6, pushing out all your breath, and lower your "wings."
5. Repeat 2 or 3 more times to build up your focusing energy.

3. Action: 

In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional day to plant peas and potatoes (or so some people say). I'm not planting potatoes this year, but today I'll plant my onions, and a second planting of peas.

4. Plastic fast: Practice "Slow Fashion". Clothing costs are at an all-time low because of an industry business model called Fast Fashion: Production of cheap, low-quality clothes that need to be replaced more often (not quite single-use, but almost!) This has serious consequences on our health, our planet, and on garment workers’ lives.

Slow fashion, in contrast, advocates for buying better-quality garments that will last longer, and values fair treatment of people, animals, and the use of the planets resources. When you shop for clothing look for durability and quality. Shop in smaller, local stores rather than chain stores. Buy styles that are timeless rather than trendy. Learn how to make simple repairs - replace buttons, mend seams, darn socks, sew on patches -  or hire a seamstress to fix or alter clothing, to stretch its life.

March 18, Sabbath for the Cusp of Spring-

1. Nature Mentor: Continuing with Brian Mertin's fantastic post: How Does Animal Communication Work:

#6 Mental Snapshots

It’s not enough to just be aware of sensory things happening around you. You also need to store that awareness in your brain. Think of the last time you went outside. You were probably aware of certain things happening around you, but how many of those things do you remember now?

This is another important piece of the puzzle. It’s called “sensory memory”. With a bit of practice it’s possible to develop your sensory memory far beyond what you’ve had up until now.

​Here’s how: Go outside and look around you. Now close your eyes and try to visualize what you saw in your mind. How many details can you remember? Try to see them clearly in your mind.

Next, open your eyes and look around again at the same environment. You’ll find yourself noticing much more detail this time.

Now close your eyes again and notice how much more detailed your mental image is. Repeat the first steps and each time you’ll notice a greater depth of clarity & awareness

2. Resilience practice: I'm reading section two, on Clarity. Practice #38

3. Action: My heritage is Anglo-Saxon, and my ancestors grew oats and rye, and wheat for bread. (The bread grains of the masses were oats and rye; wheat was harder to grow, and therefore only available to the rich). 

For my ancestors, bread was a symbol of wealth, hunger, war and peace. ("If they don’t have bread, let them eat cake..."). Even though bread is still a staple food, it is so easy to buy a loaf (in a plastic bag) that its value is taken for granted.

Today I'm going to re-start my old habit of baking loaves of multi-grain bread at least once a month on the sabbath. I use my kitchen aid mixer to save my shoulders, and a 7-grain cereal.

I think I'm also going to plant some oats or maybe rye this summer, and harvest a little bit of the grain, and use some home-grown straw to make my harvest doll. The ceremony of growing, harvesting, and eating the grain will help me reconnect to my roots, and to the land.

4. Plastic fast: Remember stewardship: We strive for balance, to use what we have wisely and with due care for other creatures, and to live as lightly on the earth as we can. We are answerable to the rest of creation and ultimately to God for how we understand and take our place in the community of life. 

Queries: Do we take time to inform ourselves of the impacts of our lifestyle on the world as a whole? Are we willing to make lifestyle changes? Whatever form our responses take, are we led by an awareness of the sacred duty placed on every one of us to care for the Earth and all living things?