additional meditation exercises (druidic)

8/14/2019 Additional Meditation Exercises (Druidic)

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Table of Contents

Health Notice & useful tips................................ 3Grounding as a Tree...........................................4Energies of the land............................................ 5Energies of the Full Moon ..................................6Energies of the Summer Solstice....................7Energies of the New Moon ................................ 8Energies of the Winter Solstice ..................... 9

Energies of Imbolc .............................................10Energies of Beltaine ...........................................11Energies of Lughnasadh...................................12Energies of Samhain ......................................... 13The Three Realms ............................................. 15Dana Energy ....................................................... 18The Elements....................................................... 19A Chinese Based Meditation............................21






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Health Notice & useful tips

Never attempt to practice any breathing exercises if you have heart or

breathing problems without consulting your doctor first. If you are havingdifficulty with any of these exercises you can contact your mentor forsupport or feedback.

Keep a journal of your personal experiences of each exercise. Thepurpose of keeping this journal is purely for your own personal growth, as bylooking back on your entries and/or repeating the exercises, you will see theprogress that you have made. Also by keeping a journal you will be able toemail the entries of the exercises that you wish to discuss further with yourmentor. Make sure to date and label your entries in your journal so that youknow which one is which and it will be easier for you to see and monitor

your own progress.

While doing each of the meditation exercises, be sure you are in aposition that is comfortable to you to be in for any length of time. Also besure that there are no clocks within your range of sight, as they can becomean abstract distraction from the meditation. Be sure you have plenty of timefor the meditation so your do not worry about how late it is. When sitting onthe ground (or hard floor) it is best to have some form of a cushion to sit onfor your back. It is preferable to meditate outside in a nature type setting (apark, a quiet garden...). If it is not possible to be outside a quiet room that is

not cluttered works just as well. If needed you can have the meditationexercise either printed off on a paper or make a voice recording of themeditation. Remember to take something to write down your experiences with you.

Most importantly when about to meditate, do not set any expectationsor expect great things to come to you. Doing so will only defeat the purposeof the meditation and can connect emotions of failure to any furthermeditations. When you are ready begin your meditation with calm, slow anddeep breaths (this will be referred to as the basic meditation breath).Identify thoughts as “thoughts” and let them float by. Remember that you

can always leave a meditation at any time.






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Grounding as a Tree

Introduction: This meditation is listed first in these additionalmeditation exercises because it is very important to be able to ground yourself. Grounding is also a good way to centre and calm yourself. This isalso a great way to “recharge your batteries” if you are unexplainablyrunning low on energy. Take your time moving your consciousness to eacharea and pause for a few breaths upon reaching each area.

After beginning your meditation breath, envision a tree in your mind’seye or focus your sight on a near by tree. When you feel ready move yourconsciousness into your belly. Hold it there for a few breaths or until you

feel ready to move on. Here in the belly is where it is most commonlythought as the dwelling place of the Cauldron of incubation. Visualise inthis place a seed that longs to be a tree. The seed is you.

Slowly you grow roots that seek the earth. If you are ready let yourconsciousness follow the roots through your body to the earth. Beforeplanting your roots into the earth ask permission. If permission from theearth is given proceed, when ready, to push your roots into it, while letting your consciousness become these roots. Let your consciousness dwell in thedeep roots for a few breaths before returning to the growing seed at yourbelly.

When you return to the growing seed you feel that branches and leaveshave grown up through your body. When ready, move your consciousnessup through the branches. Dwell in the flexible yet unyielding branches for afew breaths. When ready, move your consciousness into the sun-dappledleaves. Dwell there for a few breaths before returning to your belly, which isnow the trunk of the tree.

Now in your very centre, feel the natural flow of your tree self (from deeproots to leaf tip and back). Dwell in this being of wholeness for a few

breaths. When ready, envision your human self, returning yourconsciousness back to its natural place. Slowly move your limbs beforegetting up.

Now that you are up do something physical so your consciousnessdoesn’t wander off (now is likely the best time to write down your experiencesof the exercise). If outside have a nice walk around the place, or if inside,have a snack or continue/begin your day.






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Energies of the land

Introduction: This meditation exercise is taken from the Grove of DanaBardic Course v2.0 Journal “Power and Landscape”.

Choose a place on the landscape that calls to you (if you have visited asacred site, you might like to choose that, especially if it is close enough tovisit again). Visit this site three times, over a period of however long youchoose. Meditate there and try to "interface" with the energy and spirit of theplace by merging with the peace of the land.

Go into nature, sit down cross-legged with your hands resting on your

knees or thighs. When comfortable begin your meditation breath to centre yourself and come to a place of rest. Once centred move your breath into what is called "fire breath" or "bellows breath" only if your health conditionallows. This is done by taking fast paced, shallow breaths. Do this for threeminutes (this is an estimate, adjust the time to fit your needs).

When you are finished with the fire breath begin taking long and deepbreaths for another three minutes. If your health condition does notallow for the fire breath simply use the meditation breath.

Slowly let your consciousness drift down your spine and into the land(similar to the grounding as a tree exercise). Dwell in the land for somebreaths before returning your consciousness to your body.






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Energies of the Full Moon

Introduction: This meditation exercise is taken from the Grove of DanaBardic Course v2.0 Final project using the first 13 lines of a poem byAmergin. This exercise is spread out over a period of 13 lunar months. Thedates for the full moon can be found in the calendar on the Grove of DanaCollege.

Beginning with the full moon of November (if you start this exercise in adifferent month, just count moons down to the line you are on; i.e.:November = line 1, December = line 2, January = line 3, etc. Keep in mindblue moon months; some months have 2 full moons in them so that month

gets 2 lines [one for each full moon]) and every full moon after, until you areback full circle, go outside under the moon (or sit by a window in moonlight)and meditate on the energies of that month. Try to enter a state of peace,and send your consciousness out into your environment to feel the energy.

I am the noise of the seaI am an ocean wave

I am a stag of seven tinesI am a lake upon a plainI am a wind over the sea

I am a tear of the sunI am a hawk upon a cliff I am a beautiful flower

I am the god who kindles fire in the headI am a keen spear that pours forth battle

I am a salmon in a poolI am a hill of skilled ones

I am a boar in battle frenzy






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Energies of the Summer Solstice

Introduction: The purpose of this exercise is to explore the energies of

the Summer Solstice and the returning light it brings (focus of light). Takeprecautions that you do not over heat or stay in the direct sun for too long.

Preferably this exercise is done outside (at sunrise on the SummerSolstice if possible) in the sunlight. Position yourself facing the sun, but notlooking directly at it. Begin with the meditation breath and focus on thelight and warmth from the sun against your skin. Slowly take this energyinto yourself, letting it seep into the core of your body. Let the energy dwell within you for a few breaths, then attempt to move the energy to different

areas of your body. Take your time with this and direct the energy with calmnudges and let it return to your core. When you feel you have explored thelight and warmth for long enough let the energy pass back out of your bodyin any direction it chooses.






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Energies of the New Moon

Introduction: This meditation exercise is like the Full Moon one and isalso spread out over a period of 13 lunar months. The dates for the newmoon will be posted in the calendar on the Grove of Dana College. The linesof meditation are ones created by willow mist.

Beginning with the new moon of November (if you start this exercise in adifferent month, just count moons down to the line you are on; i.e.:November = line 1, December = line 2, January = line 3, etc. Keep in mindblue moon months; some months have 2 full moons in them, thus also 2new moons, so that month gets 2 lines [one for each new moon]) and every

new moon after, until you are back full circle, go outside under the moon (orsit in a dark room) and meditate on the energies of that month. Try to entera state of peace, and send your consciousness out into your environment tofeel the energy.

I am the Gateway between worldsI am Stillness of SilenceI am Darkness of NightI am Light in Darkness

I am Shaper of Elements

I am the Seed of LifeI am Wind of ChangeI am Nature Reborn

I am Tree of Knowledge

I am the Tribe ProtectorI am Voice of Old Pathways

I am Giver of HealingI am Heart's Fire






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Energies of the Winter Solstice

Introduction: The purpose of this exercise (similar to the Summer

Solstice exercise) is to explore the energies of the Winter Solstice and thereturning darkness it brings (focus of darkness). Take precautions that youdo not freeze or stay in the direct sun or reflected snow sun for too long.

Preferably this exercise is done outside (at sunset on the Winter Solsticeif possible) in the sunlight. Position yourself facing the sun, but not lookingdirectly at it. Begin with the meditation breath and focus on the comingdarkness and cold against your skin. Slowly take this energy into yourself,letting it seep into the core of your body. Let the energy dwell within you for

a few breaths, then attempt to move the energy to different areas of yourbody. Take your time with this and direct the energy with calm nudges andlet it return to your core. When you feel you have explored the darkness andcold for long enough let the energy pass back out of your body in anydirection it chooses.






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Energies of Imbolc

Introduction: The purpose of this exercise is to connect and explore theenergies of Imbolc. To better help you with this the meditation will attemptto guide you to the main Celtic Deity of this Celtic festival: the GoddessBrighid.

Pick a place where you feel comfortable, safe, and welcomed by theenergies/spirits of that place. Close your eyes and begin your meditativebreath. Listen to your surroundings. When you feel you are ready in yourmind build an ancient looking forest. Once the forest is build in your mind,and you can build it as simple or complex as you like, envision a mist slowly

rolling out of the trees and wrapping around you like a blanket. When all you can see is the mist, in your mind take a step forward when ready.

Once you step forward the mist parts and takes you into a straw and wood hut, or an ancient looking smithy. You see a woman working over thefire—this is Brighid. Watch quietly what she is doing. When she finishesher work she comes over to you and sits down. If she does not at first speakto you, ask her questions about Imbolc. Let her guide you as she shows youthe energies, and answers of your questions.

At any time you wish to stop or end the meditation simply envision themist wrapping around you like a blanket and take a step back. Beforeopening your eyes listen to your surroundings allowing you to come fullyback to yourself.






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Energies of Beltaine

Introduction: The purpose of this exercise is to connect and explore theenergies of Beltaine. To better help you with this the meditation will attemptto guide you to the main Celtic Deity of this Celtic festival: the God Bel.

Pick a place where you feel comfortable, safe, and welcomed by theenergies/spirits of that place. Close your eyes and begin your meditativebreath. Listen to your surroundings. When you feel you are ready in yourmind build an ancient looking forest. Once the forest is build in your mind,and you can build it as simple or complex as you like, envision a mist slowlyrolling out of the trees and wrapping around you like a blanket. When all

you can see is the mist, in your mind take a step forward when ready.

Once you step forward the mist parts and takes you to an open hilltop.Below there is a village and the light in each home is being put out, one byone. After the last bit of light goes out in the last home and you can nolonger see or smell smoke, someone behind you moves in the growing dark.Do not be afraid, you know this person has been patiently watching with you. He strikes a spark and a small new flame grows steadily into a bonfire.As he lights a second bonfire, a knowing comes to you that this is Bellighting the Beltaine fires. His task done and the villagers have arrived andbegun the festivities. Take a seat next to Bel, ask him questions or start aconversation with him. Let him show you about the energies of this day andguide you for a time.







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Energies of Lughnasadh

Introduction: The purpose of this exercise is to connect and explore theenergies of Lughnasadh. To better help you with this the meditation will

attempt to guide you to the main Celtic Deity of this Celtic festival: the GodLugh.

Pick a place where you feel comfortable, safe, and welcomed by theenergies/spirits of that place. Close your eyes and begin your meditativebreath. Listen to your surroundings. When you feel you are ready in yourmind build an ancient looking forest. Once the forest is build in your mind,and you can build it as simple or complex as you like, envision a mist slowly

rolling out of the trees and wrapping around you like a blanket. When all you can see is the mist, in your mind take a step forward when ready.

Once you step forward the mist parts and takes you to a field beingharvested by hand. One of the harvesters finishes tying a bundle and sets itto stand upright. Wiping his forehead he takes a beaker of water from a nearby bucket and drinks deep. As he drinks, his eyes laugh kindly as yourealise this is none other than Lugh himself. Help Lugh harvest the field ashe guides you to show your own personal harvest and your sacrifices. Askhim questions from time to time when you have them.







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Energies of Samhain

Introduction: This meditation appeared in the N.O.D. upgradedmembers e-zine Samhain edition 2006 (under the title of Samhain

Meditation: Meet the Ancestors) and is used here with permission of the writer Karayana.

Before you begin this meditation, take a bath or shower. Make sure youare relaxed but alert. Find a quiet place to sit where you will be comfortableand undisturbed. If you would like to play music or nature sounds to help you relax, then that is fine, as long as you can still concentrate on themeditation. An alternative would be to record the meditation before hand to

play back.

Sit or lie in a comfortable position and let your eyelids gently close.Breathe through the nose and follow your breath down into your lungs andthen allow it to go further and settle in your lower stomach. Exhale slowly.Keep breathing in this way until your mind can stay in your stomach region(Dan tien) while your breath is released. Keep the breathing slow, quiet andregular.

After awhile you find yourself standing in a quiet meadow on a moonlessnight. Strangely it is light enough to see. Looking around you see that thelight is coming from a mist that is draped around a stand of Silver birches.You walk towards it and eventually enter the trees, feeling the mist cool anddamp on your face and hair. The source of the light is in front of you and you keep walking, trusting the light to guide you.

Soon the mist thins and you enter a clearing where a large fire isburning brightly. The mist surrounds the clearing on all sides but the skyabove is clear and strangely there is a full moon. You stand with your backto the fire watching the mist and soon your patience is rewarded. Peoplebegin to arrive. You recognise some. Perhaps they are parents or

grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters. Greet the ones yourecognise warmly. Soon the clearing is quite full, many people laughingtalking, hugging each other. You realise that everyone you can see is relatedto you. These are your ancestors, and tonight at Samhain in this placebetwixt and between they are gathered together.

You look around at the many faces, the different styles of clothing. Whatknowledge can you gain from what is worn? Make a mental note. Can yousee yourself in any one here? Does anyone catch your eye or interest youstrongly? Let your heart guide you to one of your ancestors. Walk up to themand greet them warmly and politely. Have you got a question to ask? Ask it.






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Be sure to say thank you when you are done. If you think you shouldapproach another ancestor then repeat the process. Who do you feel drawnto? If not then stand back and just watch for a while longer. Realise that allof these people are part of you; you carry them in your heart, your actions, your personality, your looks, your history.

When you are ready to leave walk to the mist and pass back through.Wherever you leave the clearing you will find yourself in the meadow oncemore. All is quiet after the noisy clearing and you sit for a while in quietmeditation of all that you have seen or learnt. Gradually become aware of your breathing again, and spend a few minutes coming back to your body.Open your eyes and sit quietly in contemplation. Then take up your journaland write. May your ancestors bless you with love.






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The Three Realms

Introduction: This meditation is from Entering the Forest (BardicYouth Course Book) where it is titled “Meditation: Initiation”. It is used here

with the writer’s permission.

If possible, go out into nature to perform this meditation, such as apark, forest or river, and find a quiet place there where you will beundisturbed. Otherwise you can do it at home or any other place you feelcomfortable and you know you will not be disturbed. Make sure you havesufficient time to do this, having the idea in the back of your mind that you

have to go somewhere in 15 minutes from now will not make it any easier. This meditation works best if someone reads it for you, either on a taperecording or in person. If this is not possible then read it through a numberof times first so that you remember the sequence. If you practice alone makesure you first tell an adult that you are going to do it and where you shall be.You may do this meditation standing up or sitting cross-legged on theground, your hands resting on your thighs.

Then follow the steps below:

1. Sit down in a comfortable position.

2. You can close your eyes, or keep them open, as you feel mostcomfortable with (it may be easier to concentrate with eyes closed if you arenot very experienced with meditation yet).

3.Try to clear your mind, by calming it and simply letting go of anythoughts that might enter it. (This is particularly difficult for one who is notused to meditate yet. Points 4 and 5 are helpful techniques to enable you toclear your mind.)

4.Keep a regular breathing. Breath in and count to four, hold it whilecounting to two, and then breath out while counting to four. Continue tofocus on your breathing until you feel your mind is at peace and clear.

5.If necessary, try a chant (it could even be the same tone if that makesit easier for you). Chanting will keep your mind focussed on that only,enabling you to clear out all else that tries to enter it.

6.Now picture that you are standing outside. In front of you are stairsgoing down, they would appear to be old stone stairs that have been there fora long time, although they are in good condition. Slowly go down thesestairs, one by one. These stairs can be short or long, depending on how deep you need to travel to reach your inner self. Simply take the stairs as theycome.






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7.When you have reached the end of the stairs, you find another door. This door can be any shape or size that comes to you in your meditation.Slowly open this door, and walk through it.

8.Beyond this door you will find what appears to be a cave. It can be of

any shape, dark or light coming through holes.

9.As you walk through this cave, pay attention to how you experience it.Is it warm in there, or cold? Is the ground soft or hard under your feet? Isthe air damp?

10.Walk through the maze of corridors in the cave, and choose which way to go. Choose the way you feel is right to enter. Keep walking as longas you feel the need to. You can also stop anywhere in the cave, touch the walls of stone, or any-thing else you feel is appropriate at that moment.

11.Having found your way through the maze, you find yourself at anunderground river. You can hear the flowing of the clear water. Stand stillat the edge of the water, and when you are ready, jump into it.

12.Swim into the stream of water as if you are a fish. You trans-forminto a fish, and you can breath there like a fish would. Pay attention to how you experience it: is the water warm or cold, is the river going fast or slow?Is there light shining into the water? How big is the river and how muchspace do you have to swim? How deep does the water go? Are you aparticular fish? Are there other fish there?

13.Swim as long as you feel you need to. When you are ready to comeabove the water, you see rays of sunshine piercing into the river, and youfollow them as you swim up to the surface.

14.You reach above water, and as you do so, you transform into a birdof your choosing. Aim for the sky as you spread your wings and fly around.Pay attention to how you experience this as well. Is the sky clear? Are thereclouds, and are they dark or white ones, and how big are they? Is it rainingor snowing? How much wind is there, and does it go in the direction you want to fly, or the opposite direction? Does the air feel warm or cold to you?How high do you want to fly?

15.Fly whichever way in the sky you like, and as high as you like.Below you can see beautiful landscapes of nature, forests, rivers andmountains. Search for a beautiful place to land, and when you feel you areready, fly downwards toward it.

16.When you are closer to the land, search for a hole in the ground. It would be big enough to fly through for you.






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17.When you enter the hole, you arrive in a dark place. You land softlyon both your feet again as you transform back into your-self. Look around yourself in the dark place, and search for a door.

18. When you find the door, walk toward it and open it slowly.

19.Beyond the door, you will find the same stairs again that youdescended at the beginning of the meditation.

20. Slowly go up the stairs as you see the daylight again.

21.When you have reached the final step of the stairs, you can open your eyes again (if you closed them) and slowly return from your state of meditation.






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Dana Energy

Introduction: This meditation exercise is taken from the Grove of DanaBardic Course v2.0 Journal “Dana Energy”.

Go out into nature if possible (indoors will work fine, but it is alwayspreferable to work outdoors). Sit down cross-legged with your hands restingon your knees or thighs. Take three deep breaths to center yourself andcome to a place of rest. Once centred move your breath into what is called"fire breath" or "bellows breath" only if your health condition allows. Thisis done by taking fast paced shallow breaths. Do this for three minutes (this

is an estimate, adjust the time to fit your needs).When you are finished with the fire breath begin taking long and deep

breaths for another three minutes, (If your health condition does notallow for the fire breath simply use the meditation breath.) or until youfeel yourself settling into the peace of the land. Allow the Dana energy toslowly rise up your spine, surrounding and filling you.

Do this every day for at least a week and write a journal entry reflectingon your experiences.






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The Elements

Introduction: These meditation exercises are taken from the Grove of

Dana Bardic Course v2.0 Bardic Manual pages 60-61. These meditations aremeant to bring your awareness to the powers of the elements.

Fire

*As with all flames take precautions to prevent injury or anuncontrolled fire which can be dangerous to property and life.

Light a candle, or if possible a fire. Sit in front of it, close your eyes, and

take three deep breaths. Take a few moments to orient the power of fire.Open your eyes and look into the flame. Put your hands in front of it,receiving the gifts of its warmth. Feel both its creative and destructiveaspects. Feel its ability to give life through its warmth, but also its ability todestroy in its flames.

Now turn inward, and feel the fires of your own life. The warmth andheat of your body, which sustains your life. Feel your constant bodily andspiritual connection to this element. Mentally reach out to fire in its manyforms, and give it gratitude.

Air

*Take precaution that you do not choose a place near any obstaclesthat could come loose in the wind (and could cause bodily harm). Alsodo not go out if there is an advisory warning due to the sever windspeeds.

Go outside on a windy day. Take a few moments to close your eyes, feelthe wind caressing your face. Orient to the air, an element that we could notsurvive for more than a few moments without. Feel both its creative anddestructive aspects. Feel its ability to allow us to breath, giving us life. Feel

its ability to destroy in the destructive powers of hurricanes and tornados. Turn inward now to your own breath. Feel the rhythmic motion of yourlungs, contracting and expanding. Feel your constant bodily and spiritualconnection to this element. Mentally reach out and give gratitude to the air.






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Water

*Take caution of the weather when going outside to any body of water. Some areas may be subject to Flash Flooding.

Go to a stream, lake, ocean, or other body of water, or otherwise fill alarge bowl with it. Dip your hands into the water, close your eyes, and takea few moments to orient to the power of water. Feel both its creative anddestructive aspects. Its ability to nourish us, filling us with the vital fluidthat makes up one third of our bodies; and its ability to drown us, to floodand destroy.

Turn inward now to the water of your body. Feel it making up almostthe entirety of your physical form. Feel the moisture in your breath, a fullbladder, or the sweat cooling the body. Feel your constant bodily andspiritual connection to this element. Reach out mentally, giving gratitude tothe water that sustains you.

Earth

*When entering wild places of nature remember to respect thedistance between you and the local wildlife. Some local wildlife isdangerous so take some preventative equipment to ward off possibleattacks. Preferably have someone go with you when entering such wildareas.

Go outside, to the forests, mountains, or a field. If this is not possible

use your yard, a pot of soil, or a plant. Smell the richness of the Earth, andfeel the firmness of the ground beneath your feet. Close your eyes and take afew moments to orient yourself to the Earth. Feel both its creative anddestructive aspects. It is a home, giving stability and rootedness. It has givebirth to a wide diversity of life, including us as humans. Feel the destructivepower of earthquakes and rockslides.

Turn inward now to the earthiness of your own body, the clay of yourbones. Feel it providing the framework of your body, and giving you form.Feel your constant bodily and spiritual connection to the element of Earth.Reach out mentally, giving gratitude to this element.






A Chinese Based Meditation

Introduction: This is a meditation that was posted by Karayana in hermentor forum and she gave permission for use here. The meditation is verysimple but can take a long time to master. The purpose of this meditationis to bring chi into the body and store it. When you learn to do this well you will find that you can feel the energy moving in a swirling, wind likemotion in the dantien, and as you grow proficient it will be warm. It will

help keep you healthy in mind, body and soul.

It is best done at night in a downstairs room or outdoors (as long as you are warm, being cold makes it hard to concentrate) so as to stay

grounded, and face East. Sit cross-legged on the floor (a cushion willhelp!) with your hands cupped one inside the other with your thumbstouching. This keeps the energy flowing around your body and doesn'tdisperse it into the air. Women should have their right hand within theleft hand, men the opposite way. Let your tongue rest gently on the roof of your mouth just behind the front teeth, again to keep the energy flow.Keep the back straight but relaxed and look straight ahead so that yourhead is level. This keeps the meridians open. Gradually let your eyelidsdroop while relaxing into this position, but make sure to keep your eyeslooking forward still. Letting your gaze drop downwards can result in

headaches.

Once you feel relaxed and comfortable, start thinking aboutbreathing. You are aiming for your breathe to be rhythmical, slow,smooth and silent, but it takes time so don't get frustrated! Justremember not to force anything, let it happen gently. Breathe in throughthe nose and feel your breath go up the nasal passages, down the throat,into your lungs, passed your diaphragm, until you reach the dantien (thisis a point at the centre of the body two fingers breadth below the navel).Focus your attention on the dantien and then slowly release the breath,leaving your attention on the dantien. Breathe in again, following your

breath down in the same way if you find your attention has strayed. Keepthis up, focusing on the breath in the dantien, and letting any otherthoughts drift slowly away, your center is the only important thing in thismeditation.

When you feel you have finished, give yourself time to come round

fully, before standing up.


additional meditation exercises (druidic)

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