Dear friends,
Happy Easter to all! I hope you’re all enjoying a relaxing Easter week-end – and all the signs of the changing season.
I was out walking along the white cliffs of Dover today enjoying the skylarks singing over the fields, watching a fox sitting on the cliff edge (very unusual sight!), and losing myself in the flight of gulls circling below me over a very calm sea. After which, of course, I enjoyed a Easter egg or two 😉
With spring continuing to fight its way through (despite the chilly weather we have had in the UK!), why not join me for one of my local spring morning workshops at Byron’s pool Nature Reserve, Grantchester, Cambridge? All workshops involve mindfulness practices, meditations, games and discussions. They’re suitable for everyone – regardless of your experience of mindfulness or the outdoors!
- Introduction to Mindfulness of Nature (Sunday 15th April): Ideal for newcomers!
- Sensory Explorations in Nature (Saturday 7th April): We’ll explore different ways of seeing, listening, smelling, touching and tasting nature. Come and let go of your thinking mind and enjoy a sensory, playful morning of fun and relaxation outdoors!
- Exploring our Sense of Belonging in Nature (Saturday 14th April): We’ll explore our relationship with the natural world to (re) discover our innate bond with nature and how nurturing our sense of belonging in nature can support our well-being.
- Exploring Kindness and Compassion in Nature (Saturday 12th May): We’ll focus on kindness and compassion and why they are so important in the context of our relationship with nature – within ourselves and around us – for our own well-being as well as for that of all life on our planet.
I am also running a number of exciting workshops, retreats and holidays in the UK and abroad this year including in Wales, Austria, New York State, Argentina, Chile and soon to be announced – Cyprus!
For more information on all upcoming events: click here.
Please get in touch if you have any queries and I hope to see many of you soon!
Claire x
Hello Claire,
It’s been a while since I’ve responded to your brilliant blog and I’m delighted by your latest post for two reasons. Firstly I’m inspired that you chose to spend Easter Day walking on the white cliffs of Dover – this seems a perfect way to spend a day which, whether it has a religious resonance for us or not, is surely a milestone in spring with all its associations of renewal and new life. Secondly I’m thrilled to see your highly impressive international programme of workshops, retreats and holidays in 2018 – you’ve obviously found your passion, and sharing your joy with others in this way seems deeply significant to me.
I’ve just returned from a 2.5 mile walk around quiet paths near my home and, although this might not sound an achievement, I’m celebrating the joy of walking beneath an open sky and feeling the rain on my face. For the past six weeks I’ve been coping with a pesky inner ear infection which causes dizziness and disorientation, so until today I’ve been unable to go outdoors alone. Recovery from this condition is notoriously slow but, my word, this morning I’ve rediscovered the incomparable blessing of solitary walking and now I’m longing to venture out every day, gently increasing my mileage. Losing my balance for six weeks has taught me, as nothing else could, that the very act of walking which we easily take for granted is a miracle in itself, and for me this is a priceless lesson in mindfulness.
Warmest wishes, Christopher
Dear Christopher,
Lovely to hear from you and thank you for your kind words!
I am very excited about the events and months to come – and feel very priviledged to be able to share my passion for nature more and more widely – and my belief that a world that is more mindful of nature will be a happier, more peaceful and sustainable one.
It’s always so lovely to hear feedback from people who connect with this message and practice so thank you so much for getting in touch again. It makes it all the more meaningful (and reassuring for the world!) to know that this work on healing our disconnection from ourselves and nature resonates with so many others like yourself from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Sharing this always gives me great joy and inspiration to continue!
I am so sorry to hear about your recent health issues – I am however happy to read that walking in nature can provide you a gentle path towards a mindful recovery. Returning to appreciating the simplest things such as marvelling at walking whilst enjoying natural sights, sounds and scents can be very comforting when we face these challenges! I hope you can continue to do so.
Take care,
Warm wishes and thanks for your continued support,
Claire x