This post really struck a chord with me Carrie. During a recent Service Space Interfaith pod, we were on the day that studied Quakerism. I tied silence to nature that winter day and went to the woods near my house on a brisk winter morning. My goal was to stand still, leaning against a tree for 30 minutes. It seems like my experience was closely aligned with your experience. Below is what I shared on that day's reflection.
When I started today’s practice, I immediately found myself going back in time to the first teachings of Thich Naht Hahn that found me. Breath in, I know I am breathing in. Breathe out, I know I am breathing out. I was leaning against a tree, and I put down some energetic roots. As i stood their leaning, breathing, i heard the sound of snowflakes hitting the ground and felt the rush of energy from above, the snowflakes hitting my skin.
I basked in that energy for some time, and emerged with clarity on a couple of issues that had been tugging at me for years. My compost heap will grow in 2026😃.
So much gratitude for this space and the positive energy that It brings to my life!
I know enough now as I continue the tricky balance of staying informed about the truth of the world and also keeping my heart open. I know to immediately read James Crew's latest poem and then your latest substack post which magically always seems written just for me in this moment. This morning I carefully selected a NY Times piece exposing the truth of this cruel world, by the great Nicholas Kristof. My heart most resonates with the truth-telling of poets, but these days I am in such awe of the brave journalists adhering to their own commitment to truth-telling. Today it was the normalized sexual violence towards Gazan prisoners and Palestinians in the West Bank at the hands of Israeli soldiers and prison guards. I crumpled to the floor sobbing into my 14-year old dog's fur and then rose to face the world again, knowing your truth-telling would keep me strong.
I love this practice and try to do so when I am climbing the hills that surround us here in the Wenatchee valley. I give thanks to the mountains that help my spirits to soar and the rocks and dirt that anchor me to the earth. It is good to bathe in the beauty when the news of the world assaults us daily.
You have put into beautiful words what is also in my heart. My heart feels heavy many days. Nature is what soothes me. Being among trees, flowers and birds is what I love most. It's my happy place. Photographing them is my passion. Looking at the beauty in pictures is the next best thing to being there. I plan to try your meditation. Thank you for sharing it.
Yes, PLEASE for the re-issue on vinyl as well as the NEW release. We need all the Carrie we can get in these hard times. Thanks also for your words that take the edge off our national nightmare. Peace
touching - we need our open hearted poets to always speak what is in their hearts & minds. I remind people constantly, don't let the orange fever enflame your brain and twist your soul -- be your true self and then stretch (as you did beneath the earth) to find new ones to restore and sustain peace & justice.
Carrie, I have finally been able to find quiet time in our local woodland to engage in the practice you suggested. This was a new experience and I was not sure I could engage. To my surprise and joy I did sense my spirit spreading around the roots below the ground and into the myriad of interconnecting networks; I had an image of spirit as water seeping gently into the spaces and reminding me that we are all so interconnected.
. The moment was brief, but beautiful. I continued my walk with a deeper feeling of peace. Thank you! This is a practice to return to.
Seems I do these things almost subconsciously, to disconnect, regroup, readjust my attitudes on many things.
I just sincerely hope the majority of voters see the evil , realize it is controlling too many things . Insider trading on oil markets makes those folks more evil literally taking advantage of what policies are being used against us essentially, all the while they are getting richer. I'd bet my life it's is the family, friends of the felon in OUR HOUSE..
I BEG EVERYONE DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING, IT ALL MATTERS.
A NO KINGS PROTEST COMING UP IN A COUPLE WEEKS. GO TAKE A CAN GOOD FOR THD FOOD BANKS, BLOW BUBBLES, SMILE, WAVE OUR FLAG. ☮️🐧
A couple of weeks ago I began a similar meditation, which I practiced with my back against a Sycamore tree. I tried your version, and I find it to be a significant improvement. I offer a deep bow and my humble thanks.
As for truth, telling, I have in mind the thoughts which Rosemerry Trommer shared with you in your recent podcast. I have been trying not to give voice to what I detest. That does not mean that I consent or resist less.
Perhaps this is a good time for me to remind you that I am in awe of your ability to persistently, unfailingly give us wise inspiration. You are a flowing river of goodness. I am happily amazed.
Yes, that was such a nurturing and powerful conversation with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Im grateful it touched you too. And, thank you dear Phil for your kind words, this post was a hard one to write for some reason…how to say what I sense many of us are navigating in these often overwhelming times? How do I not just recount what I detest and share something that’s been helpful? This are times for calling out…and calling in. A deep bow of appreciation my friend.
Bravo Carrie Newcomer. Your anguish at The US's current political direction, I share whole-heartedly with you, a comment I make from a distance, in South Africa. Strength to you . . .
I have just finished reading the book, The Hidden Life of Trees. Your meditation out in the woods really resonated with all that I read there. Thank you for reminding us how to ground ourselves more deeply when the world is topsy turvy.
I love this meditation. It captures what many miss in prayer and meditation in our hurried world- closing the loop, listening, receiving. I do this when I plunge - calling to the waters as I arrive- and then speaking to her and setting a release intention. There is always a response when I quiet my heart long enough and I leave more refreshed and regulated and nourished. Today my spirit reached out to our red maple 🍁. She is a beauty, dominating the backyard. It felt soothing to breathe together for a time and to remember we are connected.
In the midst of this year’s retreat walk, I spent this beautiful morning realizing all that you mystically write this morning, feeling very much a part of the creatures and vegetation along this long quiet dirt road. A healing morning, after another week’s news of utter governmental criminality … all preceding this afternoon’s further walking meditation on how to gather us all into this Oneness that we know is true.
This post really struck a chord with me Carrie. During a recent Service Space Interfaith pod, we were on the day that studied Quakerism. I tied silence to nature that winter day and went to the woods near my house on a brisk winter morning. My goal was to stand still, leaning against a tree for 30 minutes. It seems like my experience was closely aligned with your experience. Below is what I shared on that day's reflection.
When I started today’s practice, I immediately found myself going back in time to the first teachings of Thich Naht Hahn that found me. Breath in, I know I am breathing in. Breathe out, I know I am breathing out. I was leaning against a tree, and I put down some energetic roots. As i stood their leaning, breathing, i heard the sound of snowflakes hitting the ground and felt the rush of energy from above, the snowflakes hitting my skin.
I basked in that energy for some time, and emerged with clarity on a couple of issues that had been tugging at me for years. My compost heap will grow in 2026😃.
So much gratitude for this space and the positive energy that It brings to my life!
I know enough now as I continue the tricky balance of staying informed about the truth of the world and also keeping my heart open. I know to immediately read James Crew's latest poem and then your latest substack post which magically always seems written just for me in this moment. This morning I carefully selected a NY Times piece exposing the truth of this cruel world, by the great Nicholas Kristof. My heart most resonates with the truth-telling of poets, but these days I am in such awe of the brave journalists adhering to their own commitment to truth-telling. Today it was the normalized sexual violence towards Gazan prisoners and Palestinians in the West Bank at the hands of Israeli soldiers and prison guards. I crumpled to the floor sobbing into my 14-year old dog's fur and then rose to face the world again, knowing your truth-telling would keep me strong.
I have also been seeking truth and solace and internal peace in nature. Thank you for speaking to my heart for years, Carrie.
I love this practice and try to do so when I am climbing the hills that surround us here in the Wenatchee valley. I give thanks to the mountains that help my spirits to soar and the rocks and dirt that anchor me to the earth. It is good to bathe in the beauty when the news of the world assaults us daily.
You have put into beautiful words what is also in my heart. My heart feels heavy many days. Nature is what soothes me. Being among trees, flowers and birds is what I love most. It's my happy place. Photographing them is my passion. Looking at the beauty in pictures is the next best thing to being there. I plan to try your meditation. Thank you for sharing it.
Yes, PLEASE for the re-issue on vinyl as well as the NEW release. We need all the Carrie we can get in these hard times. Thanks also for your words that take the edge off our national nightmare. Peace
touching - we need our open hearted poets to always speak what is in their hearts & minds. I remind people constantly, don't let the orange fever enflame your brain and twist your soul -- be your true self and then stretch (as you did beneath the earth) to find new ones to restore and sustain peace & justice.
Carrie, I have finally been able to find quiet time in our local woodland to engage in the practice you suggested. This was a new experience and I was not sure I could engage. To my surprise and joy I did sense my spirit spreading around the roots below the ground and into the myriad of interconnecting networks; I had an image of spirit as water seeping gently into the spaces and reminding me that we are all so interconnected.
. The moment was brief, but beautiful. I continued my walk with a deeper feeling of peace. Thank you! This is a practice to return to.
Thanks Carrie, as usual spot on .
Seems I do these things almost subconsciously, to disconnect, regroup, readjust my attitudes on many things.
I just sincerely hope the majority of voters see the evil , realize it is controlling too many things . Insider trading on oil markets makes those folks more evil literally taking advantage of what policies are being used against us essentially, all the while they are getting richer. I'd bet my life it's is the family, friends of the felon in OUR HOUSE..
I BEG EVERYONE DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING, IT ALL MATTERS.
A NO KINGS PROTEST COMING UP IN A COUPLE WEEKS. GO TAKE A CAN GOOD FOR THD FOOD BANKS, BLOW BUBBLES, SMILE, WAVE OUR FLAG. ☮️🐧
Dear Carrie,
A couple of weeks ago I began a similar meditation, which I practiced with my back against a Sycamore tree. I tried your version, and I find it to be a significant improvement. I offer a deep bow and my humble thanks.
As for truth, telling, I have in mind the thoughts which Rosemerry Trommer shared with you in your recent podcast. I have been trying not to give voice to what I detest. That does not mean that I consent or resist less.
Perhaps this is a good time for me to remind you that I am in awe of your ability to persistently, unfailingly give us wise inspiration. You are a flowing river of goodness. I am happily amazed.
Namaste,
Phil
Yes, that was such a nurturing and powerful conversation with Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Im grateful it touched you too. And, thank you dear Phil for your kind words, this post was a hard one to write for some reason…how to say what I sense many of us are navigating in these often overwhelming times? How do I not just recount what I detest and share something that’s been helpful? This are times for calling out…and calling in. A deep bow of appreciation my friend.
Bravo Carrie Newcomer. Your anguish at The US's current political direction, I share whole-heartedly with you, a comment I make from a distance, in South Africa. Strength to you . . .
I have just finished reading the book, The Hidden Life of Trees. Your meditation out in the woods really resonated with all that I read there. Thank you for reminding us how to ground ourselves more deeply when the world is topsy turvy.
I love this meditation. It captures what many miss in prayer and meditation in our hurried world- closing the loop, listening, receiving. I do this when I plunge - calling to the waters as I arrive- and then speaking to her and setting a release intention. There is always a response when I quiet my heart long enough and I leave more refreshed and regulated and nourished. Today my spirit reached out to our red maple 🍁. She is a beauty, dominating the backyard. It felt soothing to breathe together for a time and to remember we are connected.
In the midst of this year’s retreat walk, I spent this beautiful morning realizing all that you mystically write this morning, feeling very much a part of the creatures and vegetation along this long quiet dirt road. A healing morning, after another week’s news of utter governmental criminality … all preceding this afternoon’s further walking meditation on how to gather us all into this Oneness that we know is true.
Thank you! I needed this reminder right now.
What was the sign on the fence? It didnt come thru for me