On Friday I attended a Jin Shin Jyutsu Retreat at the Fried Egg Movement Studio. I had no idea what it was. But the course description said it would be a day of relaxation and rejuvenation. Lunch was included. This Japanese healing/living modality is one of "effortless reality."
There were just three of us and the leader. We lay on the floor covered with blankets, it was a cold and rainy day. For 1 1/2 hours the leader guided us in a meditation in which she would tell us to hold one or the other of our fingers. I know. Sounds odd. I went way under in this meditation to a space of calm and peace.
Each finger represents an emotion. The thumb is worry, the index finger fear, the middle finger anger, the ring finger sadness, the pinky is trying too hard. They also connect to body organs. So, if you feel angry you can hold your middle finger. Or worried hold your thumb or if you dare suck your thumb.
You harmonize your attitudes through finger holding. We had a delcious lunch in a funky old twenties farmhouse near a lake. Then another meditation. Then two of us made a soulcollage.
Interesting and fun to be with others and meet new people.
Oh, in case you wonder. Fried Egg? I asked. The farmhouse, seen from a distance, looks like a fried egg. The house is yellow, and it is surrounded by a white porch. The current owner ferrited this tale out over the years and from among other stories of how the farm got its name. Another note: although there is a conventional bathroom, there is also an outhouse which I used! What a trip.
Top photo is the soul collage card I made at the retreat second photo is a workshop handout
27 comments:
That is an awesome collage Suki!
It sounds like a very interesting happening,,,and I'm wondering what they served for lunch. The atmosphere sounds really fun.
Glad you're able to partake in many different things,,,the spice of life.
Suki, Your retreat sounds wonderful! It seems both your area and Cape Cod have plenty of artist, spiritual and meditative places. Wherever you decided to settle there will be places and people who will feed your artist soul.
FRESH CORN with butter and salt...living well!!
Babs, freshly made bread by a local boonies bakery, tomatoes, pesto, turkey sandwich meat, salad with veggies, raspberries, cherries and ginger cookies with iced tea.
The irony, Blue Sky, is that two of the cool people i have met in NH have ties to Cape Cod. One has parents who live there and the other grew up in Harwich on the cape and knows one of the landlord's I had there, in fact went to high school with him. I like both these people very much.
Sounds relaxing and fun. I will try that meditation. Lunch sounds yummy :-).
That collage had me worried, and frightened...it has an erie look to it to me. So I am sitting here sucking my thumb, wondering if I need to crawl under some warm blankets and wishing I had someone to soothe me through a long meditation...sounded like f u n. well Interesting, at least.
Do love the yellow house/fried egg story!
Very Interesting. Hope it was helpful. In any case, yes, it is nice to be with others.
what a fascinating day, i wish i could've gone with you, this is one side of myself i have never explored but always been attracted to...i really love the way yu 'look after' your mental self, and i envy you that.
I agree with Lynn - she looks a bit worried but I'm sure that you got that all out now. what a great name for a house,
Very interesting collage. The eyes are haunting, a little like that famous National Geographic cover photo of a young girl in India I think?
Your retreat sounded inspiring and restful. Someone recently sent me a quote saying "the best time to rest is when you don't have time..."
Love the Fried Egg image and couldn't have guessed what it meant when I first read your post title.
Intense collage.
Just don't go pulling anyone else's finger! (giggle)
I like the fried egg story. (grin)
The finger meditation sounds very interesting Suki - I will give it a try! Great that you are out meeting lots of people, you sound so happy these days. x
I am always envious of the workshops and various retreats you are able to attend. I have never heard of such a thing but it sounds interesting. My thumb has been hurting lately. Hmmmmm
Love the collage but the lady has spooky eyes.
What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. I love that it was named Fried Egg because it looks like one!
that sounds so interesting.
Annie, thanks.
Lynn, how interesting. I just found that woman's face intense and focused. I am not sure if she wasn't supposed to be some sort of woman from outer space though. There were also a lot of entwined hands in the picture. I didnt find it disturbing. I enjoyed the day thoroughly.
Katie Jane, just a relaxing and fun time.
thanks Soulbrush. I do like to explore the "tools" that are out there for keeping oneself centered and moving.
Mim, I didnt see her as worried so that is interesting. I ended up being so calm and focused and this carried into saturday too. I enjoyed so much hearing the other's stories too.
thanks teri. I do think the image of the woman is not a realistic representation but some kind of mystical image, from my pov anyway
chewy, the group leader told us about doing this with others. Someone asked about doing it with her children. To do it "on" another person you can also do their toes. Hold the left fingers and the right toes and vice versa. You can do this with folks ill in the hospital to bring them calm. also you can do hands on with pets.
Patti, I'd be interested to hear if you have any reaction to doing the finger holds.
Lisa i have contemplated replacing the eyes with another image but that might be even spookier. I have always loved taking workshops, learning about new things, enlarging my small mind and self. i always learn something evenif it isnt what I expected to learn.
willow, isnt that a fun story!
Jude, peace.
Wow Suki, what a powerful Soulcollage! Is she part of the comittee? Looks like she could be. Sometimes when we make the cards they tell us who they are later.
I too, envy your retreats. I'm glad you're caring for Suki ;)
word very = upecial
(you/special)
Hi Suki, this sounds like a great workshop, thanks for posting the image of the fingers, I'll try and remember this and try it.
The soulcollage is very powerful, with this outofspace look the woman has, and the colors and shapes you put around the face. It draw me in immediately...
Have a wonderful Sunday
love
Andrea
You live a rich life, exploring your art talents.....
This sounds like a wonderful experience. I have recently become interested in meditation myself although I am still at the "reading about it" stage. But I am looking forward to giving it a try.
Sounds like you had a nice time. Funny story about the Fried egg name.
We are in the middle of a heat wave. hot hot hot. plants are stressing big time. Hope your getting some warmth there but not HOT HOT.
cape cod connection yet again?
jeez louise
xoxo
That workshop sounds so neat. As soon as I took hold of each finger, I could feel the difference. Maybe I am just very suggestible, but I felt the 'truth' in the diagram. I too am impressed with how you take care of that side of yourself, giving yourself the gift of these retreats and workshops.
Wonderful collage, although I find her eyes a bit scary....... nevertheless beautifully done!
Sounds very interesting, I have never heard of this, but I love to attend things like that.
After the holiday I will attend a meditation group once a week. I look forward to that.
Would love to see a picture of that fried egg......
Take care!
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