Earth and its solar system are nearly 14 billion years old, and rocks are one of Earth’s oldest residents. Rocks are natural formations made up of one or more minerals—the same minerals that formed Earth, the stars, even us! Over millions of years, these minerals bonded together because of heat and pressure. They were shaped and smoothed by flowing water. Rocks may appear to be immovable and unchanging. But given the right elements—the right combination of heat, pressure and water—and enough time, even stones can grow and change!
The I Awake website suggests that we: “Meditate like a rock. When you think about a rock in the wilderness, it’s just there. It’s probably halfway embedded in the earth. The rains come, the sun shines, the snow falls; there is freezing cold, harsh heat, and bird poop. All this stuff happens, and the rock is just there. As a rock, our meditation is at its deepest level.”
So I invite you to step outside your door and find a rock or small pebble for a brief guided meditation. Go ahead and grab it—I’ll wait here!
Do you have your rock? Hold it in your hands and feel its weight.
Take a moment to ground yourself like that rock. Allow yourself to feel heavy and connected to the earth. Let your feet root so deeply into the earth that they may grow moss like the bottom of a heavy stone.
Take a few deep breaths. Let your muscles relax. Let go of any tension you may be holding and simply be, rooted into the earth like a centuries-old rock.
Take a few deep breaths. Roll your rock around in your hands so you can feel all its sides. Is it pocked with rough patches or smooth all over? Does it have jagged edges? What color is it?
Take a few deep breaths. What is the rock telling you about itself? What has this rock seen? Where has it been?
Take a few deep breaths. What is the rock telling you about yourself? What can you learn from the strength, resilience and steadfastness of your rock?
Take a few deep breaths. Remember that you ARE the earth, and all creation is in you.
Take a few deep breaths. Thank your rock for being such a great example of grounding. Thank your rock for what it was able to teach you.
Take a few deep breaths.
What words came to you in this guided meditation to describe your rock? Did you learn anything from your rock? How does it feel to meditate like a rock?
—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods marketing coordinator