Calling in the Light
Years ago, I took a writing class with a wonderful author and teacher, Natalie Goldberg. One of the most delightful exercises she gave us was to write ten three-line poems about summer in just five minutes, without ever naming the season. With no time for my “editing mind” to add its critiques, I slipped into a stream-of-consciousness flow that transported me straight back to my childhood.
I was 8 years old again—a city girl from Brooklyn spending the entire summer in the countryside, part of a gang of kids set free to explore the wonders of nature. We wandered the forest for hours searching for bright orange salamanders that hid beneath smooth rocks. We ventured barefoot down the banks of a river, leaping gingerly across sun-warmed stones, grateful for the new calluses that toughened our tender winter soles. We hung out by a pool, sunning ourselves until the heat prompted a full-speed dash across scorching cement to gleefully launch ourselves into the refreshing cold water.
I tasted the sweet, tart juicy wild blackberries that stained my fingers dark purple on their journey from bush to mouth. I felt my young limbs, relaxed and heavy, as I lay outside after a long day of play—content and quiet as dusk gave way to night, the sky magically filling with countless stars and fireflies.
What I remember about that five-minute writing exercise is not the poetry—it’s those clear, delicious memories of that special summer.
It turns out that vividly imagining an experience—especially one that is rooted in nature—activates our brain in much the same way as actually being there. Our nervous system relaxes, our heart rate slows, our cortisol levels drop. Research suggests that as much as 90% of the brain areas involved in real-life perception are engaged when we visualize, which is why our imagination is such a powerful tool. The more emotionally rich and detailed the imagery, the more powerful the benefits.
Through self-observation, my father discovered the immense power of visualization, and it became a cornerstone of his healing journey. He wrote:
I realized that the origin of the information being fed into my brain really didn’t make a difference. Whether the input was an actual experience, an old memory, or a novel fantasy, my emotional responses were consistent and predictable: happy thoughts made me feel happy, and disturbing thoughts caused worry and upset. Therefore, my plan was to build an inventory of new, joyful thoughts and experiences in the same way I’d have learned how to play the piano: through practice and repetition…
During all the years I experimented with different psychological approaches to ease my pain, visualization was always a good, dependable friend. Like nothing else, visualization brought me the realization that life is neither fixed nor limited, but rather an ever-changing opportunity for exploration and wonder. It freed me to experience a brighter future and no longer feel like a helpless bystander.
Nature-based visualizations—like Quest for Eternal Sunshine’s quarterly “Circle of Light” led by energy healer Hilary Nicholls—help us feel safe, nurtured, and open to receiving insights and healing. We’re both especially excited about our upcoming circle on Tuesday evening, June 17, because it feels like so many of us could use an infusion of light, joy and optimism in community right now.
“Although there is much heaviness and upheaval in the world at this time,” Hilary says, “We can still tune into the cycles of nature to come back into balance. The bright energy of summer—the time of the greatest light—offers the opportunity to be cleansed, nourished, and restored. Our summer Circle of Light will focus on filling ourselves with nature’s light, generosity and beauty, which is also our true essential nature.”
Hilary Nicholls
Just like Natalie’s writing exercise did for me, Hilary says we can all use our imaginations to tune into the energies of summer any time to reconnect with special times and remind ourselves to embrace play and rest. “There is something about the natural abundance of summer that our bodies recognize—the long length of the days, the angles of the light, the warm fragrant breezes. Our human nature needs to remember Mother Nature to stay buoyant, balanced and joyful.”
Hilary explains that the power of the circle has been known by all indigenous peoples throughout history. “The focused attention of each individual combines in a synergistic way that allows our intentions to more readily manifest. As we each add more light to the circle, the energy field becomes greater than the sum of its parts—a power that we can plug into for healing, growth, and to help create a better world.”
Times of fear, stress, and division can bring out either the worst or the best in us. “In our Circle of Light,” Hilary says, “we become islands of peace, setting aside the parts of ourselves caught in the whirlwind of conflict and tension. Our brainwave states slow down and synchronize, creating a powerful ripple effect, like the rings that spread from a pebble dropped into still water. United in the peace, beauty, and abundant spirit of summer, we are strengthened, rejuvenated, and able to meet challenging times in innovative and cooperative ways.”
Quest for Eternal Sunshine has been offering our free quarterly Circle of Light guided meditations for five years now, and we’d love you to join us on Tuesday, June 17, from 5:15 to 5:45 Pacific. It’s free, and if you sign up and can’t make it, you’ll receive the recording soon after. We hope to see you there!
