Cascadia Druids: White Mountain Druid Sanctuary Blog

White Mountain Druid Sanctuary (WMDS) is a Druid inspired Pagan site in Trout Lake, Washington. This blog describes the planning and creation of the Stone Circle, Shrines and physical surroundings that are being built there.

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Meditation

Posted by on in Paths Blogs

We are taking a brief break from talking about the lastest construction project at White Mountain Druid Sanctuary because it's winter and we can't get much built with snow on the ground.  This blog is written by a different grove member than the others - enjoy!

The Importance of Meditation in Druidry

As winter begins to release its hold on the land, it is natural for us to start to anticipate the springtime and warmer weather to come. Depending on where you may be, buds may already be emerging from the tips of branches or even in full bloom. In other areas, we may have to wait a bit longer for the first signs of spring to arrive, but sure enough they will be with us soon. 

While we wait for this period of new life, it is a natural human desire to turn inward in contemplation. As colder temperatures drive us indoors, it makes sense to spend time thinking about who we are and what we want to do in the world. Perhaps this was the origin of meditation and meditative practices, which are found in traditions around the globe and spanning across centuries.

In contemporary Western society, most of us are primarily familiar with meditation as being an ‘Eastern’ practice, common to the Dharmic religions of Hinduism or Buddhism. However, meditation has long had its place in the West, and is certainly a relevant part of paganism today.

For many druids, meditation is a cornerstone of their regular practice. As there are many modern branches of druidry, there are also many different ways that druids may practice meditation. As a part of Ar nDraiocht Fein (ADF), Cascadia Grove and the druids at the White Mountain Druid Sanctuary employ a number of different meditations in ritual or in daily life. Many of these will seem familiar to those who already practice some form of meditation. 

The most basic form of druidic meditation used in ADF and elsewhere is that of stillness of mind. While it is basic and requires nothing but one’s own focus, it is perhaps one of the hardest to master for those of us with busy minds. Through diligent practice, druids work toward attaining stillness within by focusing solely on the breath and noticing their exterior environment. It may sound simple, but as anyone who has attempted this form of meditation before can attest, it can be difficult to tune out our own internal monologues. Once we master this form of meditation, however, all other forms of meditation and ritual work open up and become more accessible—and potentially more powerful for us as well. 

Moving meditation may be considered the next step up from stillness of mind. Once stillness is established, a druid can then move with intent through their space while maintaining inner calm. This is a great way to walk through nature and appreciate the sublime experiences that surround us that we too often tune out or ignore. It can also help attune us as we process into a sacred space, allowing us to shift from the mundane into a more magical state of mind.

Another commonly used form of meditation is ADF is the so-called ‘Two Powers Meditation’, which is intended to link the body and mind of the druid with the currents of both Earth and Sky. Because we view ourselves as being connected to their energetic streams, we feel that we can draw power from them for ritual work, as well as to ground and center ourselves in our own bodies. In the Two Powers meditation, the druid envisions themselves both rooted deep within the restorative body of the earth, as well as branching up to touch the heavens as the source of inspiration, much like a tree.

In common with other spiritual practices, druidic meditation may also involve guided imagery or visualization. This involves turning the mind inwards into our own internal dreamscape, and using our imaginations to flesh out a path as part of a journey. These sorts of visualizations can help us unlock our creative potential, while also perhaps allowing us to connect with deities or spirits outside of our normal realm of existence.

At White Mountain Druid Sanctuary, there are many opportunities for druids and others to experience a calm, natural setting where meditation can take place. Whether it is walking the labyrinth, which is a very old traditional form of moving meditation, or spending time at the shrines of various gods and goddesses, druids can practice their meditative skills and find stillness within. While walking the grounds, one is able to shift their focus away from everyday concerns and listen instead to the sounds of birds chirping or water trickling, all while under the majestic shadow of Mt. Adams. Taking time to visit a retreat like the sanctuary is a great way to disconnect briefly from everyday life and get in touch with one’s inner self, so we can remember once more what it is that motivates us and drives us through life’s journey.

While there is value in this, it is also important to remember that meditation can be practiced anywhere and at any time. All you need to do is make the conscious effort to slow down and focus. As world-renowned Buddhist nun Pema Chodron says, you simply need to ‘start where you are’ and begin. No matter what your spiritual path may be, or even if you follow none at all, there is likely some way a meditative practice can be worked into your life to reap some of its many potential benefits. By starting small and building up, you may be amazed at just how far a meditative practice may take you without ever having to leave home and brave the winter’s cold outside. 

 

 

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We are Cascadia Grove of Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF). Our local Grove serves the Puget Sound area. We meet 8 times a year to celebrate the equinoxes, solstices and the cross quarter days (including Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain). We also support the planning and building of White Mountain Druid Sanctuary in Trout Lake WA.

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