We had another beautiful day out with a lovely bunch of Noble friends and the sunshine to join us in Epping Forest.  But instead of me sharing how the day unfolded I have a note from lovely Emily who joined us for the first time.  This is her sharing:

"Ten new friends, two energetic kids and a dog named Biscuit began walking silently into the Epping Forest. We moved at our own pace, letting the space between each of us expand and contract without remedy. We were just walking to walk, feeling our steps as we made them.

We were guided to a clearing outlined by a ring of trees, and made a concentric circle within. We breathed in stillness and let our eyes and ears relax into the perfection of nature. Nisha led a meditation on interdependence with the forest, illustrating how the elements around us infused our bodies and made life possible. I was awakened to a deep gratitude for trees and dirt. So was Biscuit, who painted himself in mud rolling around in the foliage.

The sitting meditation was followed by a picnic. We all emptied our offerings onto the tarp and shared in a bountiful lunch. After filling up on red cabbage salad and white pea curry, we walked to a grassy patch and played park games. We tossed tennis balls at each other and enjoyed a lively game of “two dogs and a bag.” Uninhibited silliness! 

 
The day of stillness and movement ended with a scenic walk back to the carpark. Some of us shared about our experiences, our jobs and our hobbies. Others took the time to walk in silence and awe. We hugged with joy as we said our goodbyes. A day of mindful fun left us connected, bright, and still: a new constellation of like-minded friends."