Photo of Machu Picchu in Peru by Anna Del Castillo
Created by: Anna Del Castillo
Sourced or Resourced by: John O’Donohue’s Walking in Wonder: Eternal Wisdom for a Modern World
Acknowledgments: Quechua teachings on nature, Celtic teachings on nature
“If you go out for several hours into a place that is wild, your mind begins to slow down, down, down. What is happening is that the clay of your body is retrieving its own sense of sisterhood with the great clay of the landscape.”
Historical and Cultural Context:
As a second-generation Peruvian-Bolivian immigrant, I grew up in a multicultural home where my father would light palo santo and teach my siblings and me about the power and mystery of Pachamama—the Earth Mother. Walking alongside my father at Machu Picchu, as he returned to his homeland for the first time in twenty years, was a sacred experience. Surrounded by the grandeur of the mountains and the ancient citadel, I felt compelled to remove my shoes and sit on the earth. My body slowed, and as the wind brushed against me, I could hear the whispers of my ancestors. My time in the Andes, the land of my forebears, forever transformed my relationship with the earth and the idea of place.
This meditation is inspired by the universal connection to nature, a thread that runs through indigenous wisdom around the world. Indigenous peoples have been stewards of the earth since time immemorial. My own indigenous roots have led me to study the spiritualities of other indigenous cultures, including ancient Celtic traditions. Celticism emphasizes reverence for nature, seasonal rituals, and the use of sacred sites, among other practices. I find deep inspiration in the words of John O'Donohue, the Irish poet, philosopher, and Catholic priest. This practice draws on his writings as well as my own connection to the land, a bond passed down through my family.
How I’ve adapted this practice:
Below you will find a simple practice: to sit on the clay of the earth and connect with your internal world. This could be grass, sand, or anywhere that helps you connect to nature and meditate on your inner landscape and body.
How to Lead this Practice:
Step 1: If by yourself, go outside and sit on the earth. If in a group, form a circle and sit on the earth
Step 2: Remove your shoes and allow your body to feel the ground
Step 3: Drop into your breath and mindfully slow down
Step 4: Use this script as inspiration to guide your mediation in nature, editing to fit your context and audience.
Grounding in Body and Earth
“We give gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples of the land where we now sit.
We honor them and acknowledge that we are visitors on this land.
I invite us into a soulful practice that allows the clay of our bodies to be in sisterhood with the clay of the earth. I invite you to close your eyes and relax into your body.
Begin to fully arrive in this space. Listen to the sounds around you.
Notice your breath. Experience your lungs filling with air and breath moving through your nose and mouth.
Imagine a bright light around you. Imagine that this is the light of your soul.
With your breath draw that light into your body. Imagine that with each breath, the light spreads to each part of your being.
Imagine the light coming into you and on each exhale imagine you are breathing out any residue that no longer serves you.
And as you continue this deep breathing, listen to the words of John O’Donohue:
‘If you go out for several hours into a place that is wild, your mind begins to slow down, down, down. What is happening is that the clay of your body is retrieving its own sense of sisterhood with the great clay of the landscape.’ ‘Your body is your clay home; your body is the most important home that you have in this universe.’ ‘It is in and through your body that your soul becomes visible and real for you. Your body is the home of your soul on earth.’
Take a deep breath, and if you are able to, place a hand on your heart. Feel the rhythm of this beautiful body that carried you here today.
What is your body telling you? (pause for 30 seconds)
How can you honor the messages from your body? (pause for 30 seconds)
To close, we end with two lines of gratitude: I invite you to join me as we collectively say:
-Thank you body
-Thank you earth
(deep breath in silence)
May we appreciate and protect both with deep reverence. I invite you to slowly open your eyes and arrive back to this space.
A few Pro-Tips: I find it really helpful to begin with a moment of pause for 30 seconds. I also recommend reading the script slowly and pausing between each line. Silence is God’s first language!
Links to articles/resources to deepen this practice:
Creator’s Bio: Anna Del Castillo (she/ella), MDiv is a creator and facilitator on the journey to build spaces and resources for collective healing. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Anna serves as the Co-founder of Our Own Deep Wells: Awakening Soulful Practices for Wellbeing. She is always looking for friends and partners! Connect with her on LinkedIn, her website annadelcastillo.com and Instagram @annakatdc.
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