ABUNDANT AWARENESS

Summer’s bounty awaits. BY DONNA D’CRUZ

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, Drink the wild air.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

As the song goes, “those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” are here again. Hot or not dogs, barbecues, soda, pretzels, frolicking on the beach or by a lake. Summer speaks of the glimmering sunlight diffusing its health-giving warmth… the gritty sand between our toes, sloughing away dull winter skin, allied with the absolute joy of the first splash of bracingly cold salt water…the salty heaps of plump silvergilt and gunmetal-colored fish and seafood, farm stalls offering the freshest, tenderest fruits and vegetables.

Summer is the joy of the coldest of drinks to slake our thirst and frosty ice creams and gelatos to temper the heat. Friend and family gatherings where the liveliest discussions are softened by balmy summer breezes.

In the apex of all these seasonal pleasures, let us give deep thanks to the abundance we’ve been blessed with.

The four elements of earth, air, fire and water are in a state of genial benevolence this time of year. Earth grounds us to Mother Earth and all she encompasses. Air lifts our spirit to the light and sky above. Fire harkens to our ancient, primal being, and water reminds us of the ebb and flow of all our lives.

In the shamanic world, we speak of the Four Directions. South represents summer, a time of fruitfulness, expansion and abundant awareness. We are invited to acknowledge the cycles of the seasons and planets and our place in it—this sacred season of longer days and sharpest light, a time of reaping what we have sowed— physically, emotionally and spiritually. Allow the delicious juiciness of this season to expand your awareness and fully awaken your senses. Get ignited. Like Rumi says, “Set your life on fire!”

You may wish perhaps to light a candle and acknowledge the good things in your life, all the while claiming your own wisdom and strength. Take time to be with those who uplift and bless you, and bless them back in kind.

Tune in for weekly Dip Into Bliss meditations with Cristina Cuomo and Donna D’Cruz on Instagram, @Donna D’Cruz; donnadcruz.com