We need to mind our bodies and energy very much like we need to mind our gardens. Both these areas have been a hit and miss venture with me over the years. With regular attention, we can nurture and renew ourselves. We can clear our gardens, improve our health, and renew ourselves with Jin Shin Jyutsu. This brings great benefits, especially when done regularly with attention and gratitude.
Minding our gardens
I was sitting outside in the back garden today, appreciating the sunshine and all the greenery. I was avoiding looking too closely at the overgrown flower beds. These flower beds used to showcase the lovely blooms of roses and camellias. These treasurers are still there, but they’re choked back by weeds; my flowers are competing for sunlight and water. The soothing open spaces have been replaced by chaos, but even in the middle of the chaos, I was renewed.
About five years ago, I had spent a good amount of time in the garden. I cleared the weeds, enriched the soil, and gave tender loving care to the earth and its inhabitants. As I spent time with nature, I was also nurtured and renewed. Gardening is well known to renew us, and I found this to be true in my personal experience. The fresh air, the soft breezes, the movement of insects, and the lovely smell of the flowers.
Moving forward to more recent times, my focus has been on the competing demands of a busy life. My garden still has the underlying treasures: the innate peace of nature and the potential to nurture me. Great untapped potential at the moment. Recently, I dipped into this untapped potential and removed the climbing ivy from a favourite tree. I also cleared a metre of the flower beds. Amazingly, it only took a few minutes out of my day. These few minutes gave me a renewed connection with the earth and increased peace.
Minding our bodies
Minding my body has ebbed and flowed over time. On a walk this morning, I revelled in the sunshine, the fresh air and the gentle companionship of my dog Cooper. I was appreciating how I could walk freely, with the clear breath, and a clear mind. This simple act renewed my spirit.
The wisdom from health officials, my personal experience, and societal norms is clear. Minding your body is a personal responsibility and an opportunity to experience life fully. Like most of us, I sometimes avoid areas that need minding. Minding my body over the years has been a fraught adventure as I’ve struggled with excess weight. In addition, an immune disorder has complicated these challenges. I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve had very few complications beyond fatigue and sore joints.
Things can change at any time though. For example, last year I started minding my body more in two ways: improved diet and exercise. I revamped my diet with advice from an amazing nutritionist. My exercise focused on more walking each day. As a result, I felt better with more energy and less joint pain. My lesson here was simple: mindful attention reaps benefits beyond the small steps. Similar to how I had tended my garden, I give loving care to my body and my soul; this renews and nurtures me.
Over the last 12 years, I’ve also spent a good amount of time nurturing myself with Jin Shin Jyutsu. I’ve had the benefit of regular sessions with an experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable practitioner. I am also grateful for the time I spend each day practising self-help. It’s clear that we can renew ourselves with Jin Shin Jyutsu. Similar to spending a few moments in the garden, spending a few moments practising Jin Shin Jyutsu helps to remove congestion and allow for the free movement of energy. It gives me space to breathe and just be.
Benefits of Jin Shin Jyutsu
Jin Shin Jyutsu nurtures our total being. It relaxes our bodies, clears our minds, and resonates with our souls. It increases harmony and relaxation, life insights, and a general sense of peace and rejuvenation.
A stellar facet of Jin Shin Jyutsu is that we can help ourselves anywhere. When we have time and privacy, we can use extended flows. When busier, we can hold safety energy locks or simply a finger, and we can do this almost anywhere. Some places that come to mind are the car, an office, or even a shop. In all places, we can renew ourselves with Jin Shin Jyutsu.
[…] Gratitude and Sunrise. Years ago I saw The Happy Pear owners taking sunrise dips in the Irish Sea. Were they crazy? I haven’t made it so far as to join them in the refreshing morning waves. However, I have started rising with the sun most mornings. This connected me with the daily cycles. It also gave me space to appreciate things each day anew. […]