Enjoying Winter Solitude: Turning Inward
by Nancy Pritchard, December, 2009
© 2009, Nancy Pritchard, All Rights Reserved

"There is more to life than just making it go faster."  (Gandhi)

This winter when the weather turns cold and blustery, why not take a suggestion from nature? Follow her lead. Winter is the perfect time to cultivate a practice of turning inward 

Outside, much of the natural world appears to be turning inward. Many animals are hibernating. Trees, shrubs and grasses have transitioned into their dormant state. Our ancestors believed that even the lackluster winter sun must be taking a respite from the blazing heat of summer.

Human beings require rest; just as nature's other creations require rest. The need for quietude and rejuvenation is something that Western society at large does not often value or even recognize. Still, our bodies DO recognize the need. Although we as individuals may not be able to slow the exhausting 'go-go-go' pace of society, we do have the power to choose to slow our OWN pace from time to time. When we allow ourselves this time, we can return to our daily activities feeling renewed and refreshed. 

The winter, I invite you to try at least one of the following rejuvenating techniques. All the following techniques, if practiced on a regular basis, have been proven to relieve the effects of stress and depression. That's reason enough to give them a try! 

Meditation

Like many people, I used to think that meditating was mysterious and difficult. It isn't.

The experts say that although 20-30 minutes of meditation is ideal, 5-10 minutes can still be beneficial. There are a wide variety of meditative techniques out there. It's best to try a few different types to find the technique that feels best for you.

It helps to focus on some simple process while engaging in meditation. You can focus on something visual, like the flame of a candle, or on a pleasant sound, like soft music playing in the background. In its simplest form, meditation can be as uncomplicated as sitting and focusing on your breathing for 20 minutes. In fact, many meditative techniques involve focusing on the breath - perhaps noticing how the stomach rises and falls, or how the air feels flowing into your nostrils. You can also try counting your breaths - up to 5 or 10 - and then starting over again. 

If you have trouble motivating yourself to meditate alone, try taking a class! Alexandra holds a weekly meditation class that meets at The Healing Way on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Most people who attend the class (I've been meditating with Alex for five years now) have trouble making time to meditate at home, but find the classroom environment perfect for attaining a wonderful, relaxing state. Alex also sells her guided meditation CDs online (check out www.thehealingway.com/store/cd.html).

Yoga

I used to think yoga was all about touching your toes. I was wrong. Although yoga does help one to become more flexible, it is SO much more than that!

My favorite definition of yoga is that it is a moving meditation. Like sitting meditation, it also focuses on breathing and body awareness. Yoga involves stretching the body and forming different poses, while keeping the breathing slow and controlled. The poses become repetitive enough for one to get into 'the zone' and get lost in the flow of the movement. There are various styles of yoga, some moving through the poses more quickly, for an actual aerobic workout. Other styles allow you to move more slowly and relax deeply into each pose. Some styles of yoga have a more spiritual angle.

One of the best things about yoga is that you can take your practice with you wherever you go. Certain poses can be done just about anywhere, and a yoga program can go on for hours or minutes, depending on one's schedule.

Journaling

Journaling involves keeping a diary that explores thoughts and feelings surrounding specific events. Some people keep an on-going journal, contemplating events in their lives in general. Journaling is not the same as keeping a log, which simply involves recording a list of daily happenings. To be most helpful, a journal must reflect thoughts and feelings in detail, just as one would discuss such feelings in a therapy session. 

Journaling allows people to clarify thoughts, thereby gaining valuable insight and self-knowledge. It's also a wonderful way to unload problems and concerns of the day. Many people successfully use journaling as a problem-solving technique. One can often hash out problems and come up with solutions far more easily on paper, as opposed to allowing negative thoughts to ruminate over and over in one's mind.

Slowing Down

We pick up society's pace and get caught up in the rat race. Pretty soon we're even rushing through activities that are supposed to be relaxing or enjoyable. Last night I found myself trying to rush through a book I'm currently reading purely for pleasure. I have no deadline nor do I have any other reason to finish quickly, yet I caught myself mid-sentence in the midst of speed reading and realized that I was rushing. What was my hurry? I took a deep breath and continued reading, this time at a much slower, more comfortable pace.

Slowing down recharges us to handle life's fast paced moments --.those moments when slowing down is not an option. In the book, "How Now - 100 Ways to Celebrate the Present Moment", author Raphael Cushnir encourages us to slow our pace whenever we get the chance.  Once in awhile, he even suggests we take this practice to the extreme.

Cushnir suggests:

"Chose an activity that you're able to perform at least three times slower than usual. Cooking, walking, and bathing are three such possibilities. Give yourself more than enough time for this practice so that nothing will impinge on it. "

Make sure you breath, pause, ponder, and move through your activity with gentle and continuous attention. If the urge to speed up arises, stop completely until it passes. Once you're in a relaxed and easy flow, let yourself surrender to the flow rather than dictate it."

Personal quiet time

Some people don't enjoy quiet, meditative activities. Such activities might even make them feel fidgety and nervous. (I used to be one of them.) Perhaps you don't feel that meditation or yoga are right for you at this time, but you can still set aside time to revitalize. 

You can enjoy the benefits of turning inward every time you claim time that is truly your own. So try closing the laptop, turning off your cell phone and get involved in something you truly enjoy. Turn off the TV during your quiet time as well. Television can be great in its place, but it's also very distracting and noisy. Why not enjoy some quiet music instead?

Then spend some time doing whatever it is you truly enjoy. For example:

Winter is the perfect season to begin a new needlework project.

Have a great novel you've wanted to start? Do it now.

Bundle up and head outdoors for a winter hike, or a stroll around the neighborhood. (Do NOT take your heart rate. This is not a race!)

Doodle. Draw or scribble - words, pictures - whatever comes to mind. You can become a great artist at another time. For now, just PLAY!

Note: Resist that urge to turn your personal projects into more work. Try to move at a pace that feels good and comfortable for you. Do you really need to rush through that afghan you're crocheting? Probably not. 

Just as plants and animals require a season of rest and renewal, the human spirit also requires time to rejuvenate. It's winter. It's cold and dark outside. So stay in, relax for awhile. In addition to trying the above techniques, when that desire to put on your pajamas hits at 7 p.m., and you don't have anywhere to go that evening, why not pull out the PJs? Listen to your inner voice when it tells you to put down that laptop, turn off that cell phone, lie down on the inviting sofa…and just relax for awhile.

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Nancy Pritchard is a co-facilitator for ' The Gathering' which meets three to four times per year at The Healing Way in Frederick, MD. See the Calendar of Events for more details.. Nancy also leads a Tao Study Group in Frederick, MD. For more information, about her Tao study group contact Nancy at 301-696-8380 or by email.

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© 2009, Nancy Pritchard, All Rights Reserved