Ray Pawlett

Winter Solstice - A Time to Rest?

asks Ray Pawlett

I find ancient wisdom incredibly interesting. The source is not really important to me – it can be anything from talking to people about ‘the old ways’, Taoism from the Far East, the Native American tradition or anything that speaks to my heart as having some sort of truth.

Frequently, these different world views have the same thing to say. There are many overlaps but perhaps the most common theme is how we must find harmony with Nature if we are to find harmony within ourselves.

A simple observation of Nature is the difference between light and dark. In general, when there is a lot of light, there is a lot of activity. When it is darker, there is less. Compare the winter and summer solstices. In the summer, nature is very active. When we get to winter solstice, many creatures are in hibernation, the trees have lost their leaves and very little is growing.

In human terms, this means that in the summer our focus is more outwards with holidays, festivals and general business. For midwinter, our focus is more inwards with the dark nights and more spiritual thoughts. That’s the theory anyway! When it comes to the winter solstice or Christmas we are inundated with people trying to sell us things, office parties, arranging family, presents – the list is endless!

Our inherent need to slow down a bit in the midwinter is squashed and suppressed.

There can be a cost to this. Mental health support services and charities always get ready for Christmas. The rate of suicide and depression tends to peak at this time of the year.

Part of the problem is that as our nervous systems try to slow down for a more restful time of the year, we ramp it up with the special demands that we put on ourselves for Christmas.

If this sounds like you, the first thing to think about is whether or not you need outside help. There are many people there to help even if it’s just talking to a friend over a cuppa.

Perhaps though, you would like to make yourself a little more resilient to the pressures of the world? If your body and nervous system are craving rest – meditation is a good thing to try. Try this:-

• Set yourself 30 minutes where you will not be disturbed • Find some relaxing music that you enjoy • Switch off the phone and lock the front door • Sit and listen to your music. Don’t try to read or anything else. Just sit and concentrate on the music. • Don’t worry if you fell asleep – it means that you were tired!

If your thought is something like ‘Sounds great but when do I get the time for that?” you could probably use a properly coached session where nothing is disturbing you and you are being guided through meditation procedures.

I am co-running a special ‘Winter Solstice Meditation Session’ on Monday 20th December at the Rosewell Centre, Holywell Road, Castle Bytham NG33 4SL. It runs from 10:00 to 1:00.

If you would like to know more or book a place, please contact me via email ray@ki-ways.co.uk or give me a ring on 07413 620344