#14 Ocean Tide Meditation
There is much that we can learn from the ocean. Its rhythms and immensity are both peaceful and humbling. The beach, for many of us, is a place we seek our comfort, with the familiar and rhythmic sound of water lapping against the shore. Ocean tides provide an opportunity for us to think about the earth’s cycles and focus on the consistency of the ocean’s waves meeting the beach and then returning back to the ocean. In this activity, kids will watch a short video about ocean tides and then participate in a meditation that follows the movement of ocean tides. With an option to read the meditation or listen to an already pre-recorded audio version, this is an activity that the whole family can participate in. Use this meditation to find peace and stillness during uncertain times.
Instructions
- Before starting the meditation, watch this short video to better understand ocean tides.
- Meditation: You can either read this meditation out loud with the provided script below or listen to this pre-recorded version, with ocean sounds included.
Start by closing your eyes and imagining you are lying on the beach. It is a beautiful warm, sunny day with just a bit of a comfortable breeze. Start to imagine the setting. Maybe you hear seagulls in the background, the sound of waves lapping on the beach. There might also be distinct sensations like the smell of salt water or the feeling of soft sand beneath you. Take a few moments to become aware of your breath and to continue to settle into your beach surroundings while you slowly inhale and exhale (reader can pause for a few moments). Now start to really pay attention to the sound of the ocean’s waves. Looking out across the ocean you notice how the waves are just a small part of the immense ocean. As you visualize the waves rolling onto the beach take a slow inhale until the water reaches as far up on the beach as it will go and then slowly exhale as the water moves back into the ocean. If there is something in your life right now that feels stressful, scary or overwhelming, use this opportunity to release those feelings as the water flows back into the ocean and you exhale. Continue to practice this breathing, following the ocean’s waves. If you find your mind gets distracted with other thoughts come back to paying attention to your breath and the sounds of the waves lapping the shore. I will pause for a few moments to give you time to be still with while you breathe (pause). Please continue to stay with your breath and ocean imagery for as long as you would like. When you feel ready to start coming out of the meditation, you can start with small movements like wiggling your fingers and when you are ready you can open your eyes. Thank you for joining us in this ocean tides meditation.
(optionally) Share your experience of this ocean tides meditation with us on social media!! Just tag us @ocean_matters on IG or Twitter. Or head over to our FB page to share it there!
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Arcadia Davies, Ocean Matters Youth Advocate Leader, recently graduated from Miami University with an interdisciplinary degree focusing on marine ecology and community engagement. She is passionate about connecting communities, especially youth, in ocean conservation projects. During college she practiced communicating science to the public through serving as the communication intern at The Island School in The Bahamas and taking numerous classes in marine ecology, creative writing, journalism, photography and community engagement. Arcadia has loved the ocean since a young age and strives to share that love with others.