Fire

The representation for fire in my meditation corner is a candle. (Very original! (-; ) Since I have a cat who loves to push items off tables, a candle isn't safe or practical. Several years ago, I found some tea lights at Michael's that use watch batteries and have a flickering bulb. All the ambiance of a candle without the worry of an open flame.

I re-purposed the wine glass I used to use when I lived at home with my parents. It's cut glass crystal and has a blue rim. The stem of the glass broke and even though it's been glued, it can't be used to drink from. The glue melted when the glass was washed. Wabi Sabi. The glass makes a perfect candle holder. While meditating or praying, I like to place the "lit" tea candle under the glass. I like the way the light flickers through the cut glass and at the reflection in the blue vase.

Qi Qong

Taken at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA

Beef combines Reiki and Qi Qong for stress relief. Qi Qong focuses on developing inner strength or Chi which is universal life force. The exercises have minimal movement. In nature, trees appear to stand still but their energy is focused on growth.

I can't always remember the Qi Qong exercises Beef showed me, but I found a site that has a 10 day program with easy to follow video. For free! http://developyourenergy.net/zhang-zhuang-chi-kung/chi-kung-the-energy-exercise/

I've been trying to make the Qi Qong exercises part of my Reiki meditation routine.

Air

My nephew gave me a few Willow Tree angels. This one with her sunflower represents my favorite season, Summer. Her sunflower looks like the sun radiating energy, too. On the meditation tray, she represents Air.

Wabi Sabi

I came across the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, while reading a karate discussion group link over Himself's shoulder. (Himself is a 4th degree black belt)

The principles of Wabi Sabi are: nothing is permanent, nothing is perfect, and nothing is complete. While the karate people were discussing this concept  in terms of perfecting their forms, I found it related to my art. So many times facing a sheet of white paper was daunting. What would happen if I made a mark, but it was a mistake, and I wrecked the paper?

Wabi Sabi was a breath of fresh air. It removed the fear and worry, and replaced it with freedom. As I practiced my art, I would continue to grow. I could aspire to perfection, but never worry I never would achieve it. That was okay.

To every thing, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3, KJV

Water

With the hope chest in place, I could gather some items I liked and put them on top of the hope chest. But what if I needed to get into the hope chest. My mother stored curtains and linens in her hope chest. As of yet, I haven't been able to bring myself to go through and get rid of the items I don't need or want.

If I had a tray, I could place my items on it. If I needed to open the hope chest, I would just have to remove the tray and not disturb all the items. I had found a half dozen or so silver trays in my parents' house. My mother loved all sorts of knick knacks. I found an octagonal tray and liked the unusual shape. As I polished it, I could see a beautiful shell pattern engraved  in it.

I thought I would gather items that would revolve around the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. The tray had the shell pattern and now that it was polished it had a reflective surface like water.

Meditation Corner

I thought it would be helpful to have a dedicated place to meditate/pray. Maybe I would be more mindful to meditate every day.

I wanted light and airy so that meant in front of a window. I had also seen from Pagan friends they had an altar with items they changed seasonally. I liked that idea, too. Only I didn't view it so much as an altar, but as a focal point.

I had recently inherited my mother's hope chest. I thought I'd put that under the window and place favorite items on it. I moved the furniture around and the hope chest didn't end up under the window as I thought. When you live in a dollhouse, there's not much space to be had. No worries. I liked the arrangement and had the start of my meditation corner.

The Ocean

I find the ocean to be a soothing place. The rhythm of the waves, the sound, the play of light on the water, all are calming to mind and spirit. You can feel the tension leave with the tide.

With snow on the ground and more predicted for Thursday, this 30 second video shot at Old Orchard Beach, Maine will have to do.

Does being at the ocean lift your spirits?