Tell a Vision
I love Canadian winters. I love snow, particularly blue snow.
Blue Snow is an atmospheric event whereby snow reflects the sky above, especially at dusk. I love it because intrinsic to a walk in a snow-filled forest is the unmistakable quiet and tranquillity. Especially when the snowflakes are so big and fluffy, they float slowly to the ground. There are just too many of them for the sound to work around. The snow also helps the sleeping forest, with occasional snaps and pops as trees readjust their cold limbs to get more comfortable. The ensuing calm in the woods and self is hard to express to anyone who has yet to experience it. They, quite understandably, default to the obvious, that it must feel cold.
There is a second part to this walk that enhances the experience. Upon returning home, as you disrobe, you can feel your skin. It feels fresh and alive. As you put on comfortable clothing, you can feel the cold in your body, which brings your awareness to the warmth of your home, and the warm air filling your oxygen-rich lungs. These two sensations blend and encourage a warm meal, a large comforter and then, we slip into a deep wondrous sleep. Life is good.
In the romantic version I’ve shared, it is also true that visions come to me while communing with the forest. Even at times, visions of a warm tropical beach, because let’s face it, it is chilly. Yet, for those of you deepening your meditation, you may appreciate this next part. The unmistakable cold air brings awareness to my breath, cold air in and warm out. Our ears are sensitive to the sounds around me, like listening to an unpredictable forest melody whispered by plants and animals whose only intention is peace. With each footstep, I evaluate the snow, even if it’s done unconsciously, sensing the conditions to maintain balance. In so doing, I focus on being grounded, present in the moment. Winter invites me to live in a lofty dream state while being fully present in the world.
There is another, more popular winter version lived by those in the cold. It involves entombing, resisting the cold and watching television. Please note I’ve done it too because some days, going outside is too much. I am also aware that by TV, someone else is telling me of their visions. Yes, there is free will choice on what I watch, and there is an overabundance of choices.
So yes, I like walking in the forest, in winter. I know what I see is mine to explore. I am free of another telling me what I should feel or what they feel about something. It also feels like the forest supports my clear mind in so many ways, such as the colour blue. People who study colours often share that blue encourages faith, slows digestion, and, while calming one’s mind, brings focus to it. To me, it sounds like blue is encouraging the parasympathetic nervous system, yes? Those same people also like to cite examples of an azure sky or Caribbean waters as mental imagery to encourage calm states. Interestingly blue snow is never mentioned. Still, calming all the same.
I believe we can all agree that we are our creations. I agree that the snow is cold. However, I have learned to free myself of problem-creating thoughts before going into it. Statements like “it’s cold” or worse, seem counterproductive to the experience? Just like meditation, I will get what I create before I do it. It’s also true that there will be some encumbrances in meditation, so in those moments, I will breathe, be balanced, and observe the world around me. Who knows? Maybe my vision will be of a hot tropical beach, and maybe my vision will take me there?