Recorded MP3 audio meditations: downloads and audio streams, written reflections and contemplative resources by Dorinda Miller

Written Reflections

Beside the Sea

Summer and seaside are, in my mind, as closely connected as fish and chips and bucket and spade! Growing up in the south of England, the journey to the seaside only took an hour and we would frequently go for day trips in the summer. So, given that we are now in the season of summer, our theme for the next fortnight will be BESIDE THE SEA. We will look at this by taking a theme for each letter of the phrase: B for beach, E for encourage, S for sea, I for insight, D for drown, E for enjoyment, T for tired, H for harbour, E for exit, S for sky, E for everywhere, and A for always.

Beside the Sea - S for Sea

S for Sea

We will experience today’s theme of the Sea, through an imaginative exercise and a reflection using a picture of the sea. You can use an image of the sea from pixaby.com if you do not have one of your own to hand. You can listen to an audio version of this reflection here

I would like you to imagine that you are on an empty beach As you walk along the beach, take in as many details as possible. Feel the sea breeze and enjoy the warmth of the sun. As you walk, you notice that there is a wooden jetty going out into the sea. As you reach it, you decide to walk along it. When you get to the end, you notice a boat is tied up and anchored. It is gently bobbing about in the sea.

I would like to invite you to place in the boat, all those people and situations that you are currently concerned about. Place them in the boat,one by one.
As you place the last one in, you hear footsteps coming up behind you. You turn and see an elderly man. He is the owner of the boat and he offers to take what you have placed in the boat for a boat ride, so that you are free to rest and enjoy the sun, sea and sound of the waves lapping against the jetty.
He gives you a chair and you sit down on it.
Before he gets into the boat do you want to say anything to him and does he have any words of wisdom for you?
He gets into the boat and sets off. You watch him, until the boat goes round the headland and out of sight.
You sit and rest and enjoy the sun, sea and sound of the waves lapping against the jetty.

 

Written by Dorinda Miller; © D Miller 2018. For full credits please see the site credits page

Next Reflection:

I for Insight