004.20 TREE OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES

We usually think of the word “contemplative” as a, solitary and quiet way to be, but as you’ll see on the Tree of Contemplative Practices, there are many ways to be contemplative. In fact, anything can be contemplative if done with the intentions of connection and awareness.

Source: This activity is inspired by CMind.

NOTICE
TREE OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES

Preparation

This is a solo or group activity.

You'll need at least 20 minutes.

You'll need the internet to access this image.

Instructions

Visit the Tree of Contemplative Practices.

Review each branch and consider which are familiar, accessible, and/or challenging.

Reflect on the energy you have today. Do you want to try something easy or challenging?

Select the practice that matches the energy you have and try it.

Extend

If you picked a challenging practice, try a particularly accessible one. Or, if you selected something you're familiar with, try something new.

Try this practice every day for a week.

If you did the activity alone, try it with someone else. If you did it with others, try it alone (if possible).

Consider

How did you feel about the practice you tried?

Do you want to do it more? Less?

Which branches are you drawn towards? Which ones do you resist? Why?

What's missing from the tree?

TEMPLATE

004.30
DOING NOTHING

004.10
NOTICING PRACTICE