Because mindfulness shouldn’t only belong to the wealthy

Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a rich, mossy forest, emerald with ferns? The trees would show me how to meditate, and I could follow their lead. The air would whisper of stillness and droplets of water would shimmer with life on leaves. Fungi of all shapes, colours and textures would grow, resplendent in the steady intelligence that is. I would hear the whispers of the tree spirits, and they would become my friends, reminding me of presence; The sturdy survival of now; The infinite abundance of gods gifts. I could sit on my treehouse balcony, looking out over the trees, sipping herbal tea picked from the herbs in my garden, making art and medicine. Rock formations dot the landscape, holding deep resonance of earthly love in communion with each other. Do you feel the geometry created by their connection? Where is love if not in the elements that make up us all?

I don't live in a forest, though. I live in an urban neighbourhood. I have pubs and restaurants at the end of the street, and one block further, you find a city beach. My kids can walk to school, past the local supermarket and pharmacy, a doctor’s office and a ladies’ shoe shop. I have a longing to dwell in a state of spiritual floatiness, smiling at flower petals and feeling for a trace of the fae, but the reality of looking after human children with their mess and noise keeps me in a different kind of reality. One that is frequently not tranquil.

The requirements of the bank and the mortgage have my mind on concrete methods of survival; The exchange of my labour, time and expertise for money. The reality of climate change, the reduced rainfalls and the increasing incidence of natural disasters make it very difficult to insure a home in the forest. The political climate threatens the freedoms that we hold so dear, as we are forced to work for years and years in other people’s businesses just to afford a roof over our heads. The current cost of living crisis and unprecedented cost of housing have seen a great reduction in the pool of customers with spare income to spend on luxury wellness, where my particular business likes to reside.

Rather than my attention being on the ever-present stillness of the trees, my focus scrolls my phone, and I feel my anger levels rise at the injustices and hatred we are seeing in the world. Why is it that a few billionaires who prioritise profit over humanity have control over what most of us see and read? Why do only 6 highly unqualified white men have ownership of nearly all media, traditional and otherwise? Why are our politicians allowed to lie in their campaign advertising?

I hope that one day, I can exist as a forest dweller, peaceful in the woods. But not today. Today, I need to work towards creating the world and future my children deserve. One of kindness, one of clean air, one of justice; where the truth can prevail and people can be free.

Also published on my substack