An Hour a Day

Clematis tangutica seed-head

I've never done anything like this before...but today I committed an hour a day to work though an on line course in enhancing one's spiritual connection with Nature. I was first directed to the course through the postings I sometimes receive from the non-profit  Gratefulness.org (worthwhile exploring in itself) - and from there to another site, Spirituality & Practice (run by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat), initially giving details of a course on "Living the Hours" - mindful living through following the medieval day-pattern of the Monastic Hours. But for now, Spirituality & Nature seemed to be more appropriate for me, as this time of the year is particularly conducive to a heightened awareness of the natural world for me. (So much to learn - so little time - "The Hours" will come later !)

I'm doing this study for several reasons - but mainly as a personal discipline and also to introduce myself in a more ordered way to more  of the writings on the connection between the natural world and ourselves, for
future incorporation into my own writing courses, run here at Autumn Cottage.

The e-course costs hardly anything - around $19.00 US dollars, and for that I will receive 40 daily prompts and direction to further writings. I like the fact that prompts and suggestions are given out once-a-day, instead of all together, forcing me to pace myself and take time to go deeper into each piece of work.

I'll post some of the images here as more photo-essays...unfortunately, part of my commitment is that I do not re-post the original prompts - a fair enough request, (you could perhaps have fun trying to guess what the original question was!. I will, however, give some feedback at the end of the course, for those of you who may be interested in looking into one yourselves. Definitely no affiliation - just an enquiring mind who wants to know...more...and more...and more....:-)

Explore Gratefulness.org - there is much of value, and look here at Spirituality and Practice if you would like to investigate any of the e-courses further.

Now - the results of my first day's exploration and enquiry.

Bergenia leaves ("Elephant ears")

Water lily leaves

Milk-thistle

Hosta leaf

Crocosmia seed-head

Sempervivum

Leycesteria

Eryngium

Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem sage) seed head

An unidentified - but beautiful - moth, trying to merge with the pale yellow wall of the house

The vine..still green

....but turning

 

As is the rest of existence...

Comments

[Margaret Lambert]

Roz, these must rate as some of the most extraordinary and beautiful photos you have posted! While we can never fail to appreciate the beauty of, for example, a rose in all it's perfection, these photos illustrate that it is through the process of transformation and decay that new life will emerge. Another variation of "dying to self".
I'm sure you are going to enjoy this new introspective course- keep sharing when you can!

[Mary Ann Brussat]

What lovely photos! We learned about your blog from a Google Alert. So glad you are doing our e-course on Practicing Spirituality in Nature. We will check in periodically to see what else you discover on your beauty walk.

Many blessings, Mary Ann Brussat
http://www.SpiritualityandPractice.com/ecourses/

[Anna]

Hi Roz,

I just started reading Philip Newell, _Listening for the Heartbeat of God_. Some may find it controversial (he pushes against some very old theological ideas in Western Christianity) but I'm finding it very interesting.

I love the photos, especially the final one. Such natural poetry.

-Anna