Right now, I am a student of surrender. I'll report back after my surrender novena. I'm sure it will be sorted by then ;) One of the most beautiful grief experiences I've had was a communal singing grief event at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. I've just gotten back into hula-hooping and it is surprising meditative and literally connects you to your gut.
I am eager to hear the learnings of your surrender and all the secret knowledge it will unlock!
I am intrigued of a communal signing grief event! Is that a common thing? It reminds me of the reports of meeting up in parking lots to shout into the void during Covid.
And I definitely need to hear more about the hula hooping. I have no rhythm whatsoever, but I have contemplated doing a post on play as a spiritual practice! I also wonder about the hula hoop and how it might be reminiscent of aspects of somatic therapy. I think you need to write about it, complete with a video of your skills!
I'm not sure you need too much rhythm for hula hooping. I actually find weighted hula hoops are easier to start with because momentum will help you out. My hooping skills are still pretty basic. I have been staying in one location, no tricks, but I can keep it up pretty much indefinitely and I found a sweet hula hoop/flow state playlist on Spotify, so I'm excited to expand my repertoire. I don't know enough about somatic therapy to speak to how it could relate, but I definitely feel it massaging some sensitive spots in my abdominal wall muscles.
What a fascinating event and I could see how it would benefit so many.
A weighted hula hoop! I didn't know there was such a thing - and a uhla hoop play list, how awesome. The closest I have come to this was spending hours on devil sticks as a kid! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_sticks
Yeah, the event I went to, in the silence after a song, she asked us to pay attention to the image that came to mind. Mine was a ventilator. It made me realize how much work related grief I hadn't addressed. I see those devil sticks at all sorts of hippie dance events, but have never tried them.
Yeah, the reason I'm a student is because it is something I am very, very bad at, but at least now I have recognized that it is something worth learning.
I too am a student of surrender. I plan to write a series about Letting Go of Control because those are the lessons I am currently learning. It's interesting (haha! I could insert a few other choice words but will go with that one). I have an inner sense that this series going to take a lot so I want to be ready. In the meantime I keep practicing!
As Christine pointed out in this great article beekeeping requires a lot of surrender, as does adulting.
Well done Christine! I'm not a beekeeper but my best friend is so I have travelled a little of the journey with her. As you said these practices apply to so many things. Right now I am practicing these traits in my writing, working to allow for courage and vulnerability, striving to create community and connection while offering value and meaning. When I am mindful is when the best work flows through me but, as you know, not every day is like that.
Oh I'd be curious to know what your best friend would add to this list.
And writing is certainly a spiritual practice for so many. And how you cultivate community through your writing. I love the idea of mindfulness through writing flow - although it is rather fleeting for me!
So your article was very interesting. Beekeeping is all new to me, I know little about it but am concerned about the US struggle with colony collapse. Apparently they don’t have that problem in Greece, or not as severe and have ways to mitigate. I’d love to hear your thoughts. The reverence they have for them and nature is refreshing. Also didn’t know the queen had royal beekeepers.
Oh thanks for linking your article, I look forward to reading it!
Colony Collapose Disorder or CCD is troubling and mite management is also a signficant issue. There are so many natural predators to the bees, it is almost hard to keep them alive. I am curious to know what is helping in Greece, although could have something to do with the climate. Many beekeepers I know (in NJ) have a hard time "overwintering the bees" which means the bees don't make it through winter. Sometimes due to moisture, lack of food or a poorly laying queen.
We also use a lot of Italian bees in the US, but I don't know much about the Greek breed, perhaps they are more resilient? (It is wild the differences in types of bees, like Italian bees are known for being laid back and Russian bees are very aggressive!)
This organization always has great and up to date information, including a map of CCD - https://beeinformed.org/
Wow! Christine this was so fascinating. You are the first person I know of that has equated bee keeping with a spiritual practice but your piece has me convinced. To answer your question, I could not think of one physical or even mental activity that I didn't learn something essential without experiencing it. I have recently discovered that writing poetry again (something I haven't done in earnest for about 40 years) is becoming a very welcomed spiritual practice. Also, the writing cohort I'm in here on Substack has incorporated nidra yoga practice before each writing exercise; it's amazing how different it is to be able to practice embodied writing when your body is first awakened by mindfulness. Thank you so much for this, friend.
I hope your poetry makes an appearance on your substack soon! I am so in awe of people that can write poetry and would look forward to reading yours.
And how neat that you are doing yoga nidra before writing. I've only ever done yoga nidra before bed, I'll have to give it a try before I sit down to write.
Thanks for the encouragement, Christine. Yes! My goal soon is to add a poetry segment to my substack. I'm currently dusting off my poetry chops and when I get a few going I'll definitely post. Definitely give the yoga nidra a try. It really, really helps that I spend so much time on my feet in nature that embodying a mindfulness practice like nidra comes naturally to me. Just my opinion on that. Curious, maybe I missed it, but didn't read how often you harvest honey. Just curious, like I said.
You're right - I didn't talk about harvesting the honey - there were so many aspects of beekeeping I left out, as it was getting quite long! It depends on how long I've had the bees, if they are less than a year old, I don't harvest the honey from that hive because they need it to get through the winter. If the hive has "overwintered" aka already survived one winter, then you can take about 40-60% of the honey the second summer. I usually just do one harvest in the fall, but many beekeepers do one harvest in the spring and one harvest in the fall. They honey is different in taste and color based on the seasons (spring = light, fall=darker). I only do it once because it is messy business! And takes all day - sometimes multiple days. And I don't do it all by hand, although I have in the past, now I have a fancy machine that spins the honey out of the frames - but there is still honey all over my house for quite some time!
Wow! I had a friend who lived near me and he had a hive on his roof (Pasadena,CA) and he wasn’t as detailed as you are. That is definitely a labor of love. Thanks for the info. 👍
I love this piece, Christine. Bringing my awareness to the creatures around us that sustain us in ways we are not even aware of, until we are. Your piece reminds me of how much I love standing under our apricot trees when they bloom in the springtime. If I pay attention, there's a literal 'humming' sounds brought about by the collective buzzing of all the bees gathering pollen from the apricot blooms. I love to listen and watch them as they work.
What a lovely ritual underneath your apricot trees! If you look at any of them closely, you will likely see their "pollen pants" which are the pockets of storage of the pollen on the bees' back legs. - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/324892560618553917/
I feel emotional, (in a good way), as I read about bees, I had no idea there is so much to learn, for example, the whole hive making a certain sound when the queen is in trouble. What a wonderful way to be in community; among the bees themselves and those who love them.
There are so much to learn about bees! And you'd get a kick out of knowing that a few colonies of bees survived the Notre Dame fire a few years back and some were calling them the miracle bees!
My mom is terrified of bees and all insects/bugs (with the exception of ladybugs)! I inherited her arachnophobia - but I feel with a good cheerleader I could try my hand at bee-keeping and feel a deep sense of peace from all you have shared here with us today.
Thank you so much for sharing so tenderly your experience as Keeper of the Bees- I feel both restored and inspired.
P.S. My son and I just did the Bee Breath and it's a HIT! This practice was not included in my certification for mindfulness- I absolutely LOVED learning about it here from you today. <3
Anytime you want to come to New Jersey, I will teach you all I know about beekeeping! And actually, I dislike ladybugs, as they like to invade our house (although techinically they are a beetle that just look the same as ladybugs)
Glad the bee breath was a hit with your son, mine also like the lion breath, has he tried that one?
Yes we know and keep lions breath in our back-pocket for big feeling moments- I love that you are teaching Lion's Breath to your boys <3 I feel the highest impact when I teach my son an emotional regulation tool that we can practice together. I love connecting with other parents who have similar practices.
My 7 year old really likes the breathing practices and has created some of his own, which is fun, although I don't think they'll be taking off anytime soon (ie breathing in while pretending to drink a glass of water and spit it out for exhale!)
😂 I may have the perfect audience for his teachings. August is in his exploration of liquids phase- including giving his stuffy a bath in the toilet 🤪 (Ellie has been quarantined to the laundry room ever since)
We’ve been celebrating all the happy bees in our yard. We let our hedge grow more than the HOA wants us too and it’s covered in beautiful blossoms that the bees are loving!
Also: Have you read the Shamanic Way of the Bee? I’m not recommending it (at all) but, well, it’s a whole thing.
I’ve always had a bee phobia 🙈but like most things that frighten me, I find it fascinating to learn more! I absolutely can see how mindful and spiritual this hobby could be, and how beautiful that you found it and were willing to face your fears. I also love the community aspect of learning new things. I felt very similarly about houseplants and meeting people with the same passion.
I can completely understand the bee phobia! I've been stung so many times now, it barely registers. 😂
Have you ever been to a houseplant swap? I've seen them advertised but have not been. The closest I've come is posting and receiving cuttings in my local buy nothing group.
Thanks for all the information about beekeeping. My favorite classes in college were local flora and entomology. But I’ve been a student of nature my entire life. I’m returning areas of lawn to meadows with native grass, coneflower, bee balm, and bergamot. But Mountain mint is the best plant in my yard to observe bees and other pollinators during the summer. Right now, dandelion flowers are a wonderful source of pollen for bees too.
Right now, I am a student of surrender. I'll report back after my surrender novena. I'm sure it will be sorted by then ;) One of the most beautiful grief experiences I've had was a communal singing grief event at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. I've just gotten back into hula-hooping and it is surprising meditative and literally connects you to your gut.
I am eager to hear the learnings of your surrender and all the secret knowledge it will unlock!
I am intrigued of a communal signing grief event! Is that a common thing? It reminds me of the reports of meeting up in parking lots to shout into the void during Covid.
And I definitely need to hear more about the hula hooping. I have no rhythm whatsoever, but I have contemplated doing a post on play as a spiritual practice! I also wonder about the hula hoop and how it might be reminiscent of aspects of somatic therapy. I think you need to write about it, complete with a video of your skills!
I don't know if it's common all over the place, but it seems to be a regular event here in Minneapolis, https://www.lakewoodcemetery.org/event/embodying-grief-through-song-april2024/. I feel there is such a void in our society in that realm of communal grieving. I'm struggling with its absence.
I'm not sure you need too much rhythm for hula hooping. I actually find weighted hula hoops are easier to start with because momentum will help you out. My hooping skills are still pretty basic. I have been staying in one location, no tricks, but I can keep it up pretty much indefinitely and I found a sweet hula hoop/flow state playlist on Spotify, so I'm excited to expand my repertoire. I don't know enough about somatic therapy to speak to how it could relate, but I definitely feel it massaging some sensitive spots in my abdominal wall muscles.
What a fascinating event and I could see how it would benefit so many.
A weighted hula hoop! I didn't know there was such a thing - and a uhla hoop play list, how awesome. The closest I have come to this was spending hours on devil sticks as a kid! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_sticks
Yeah, the event I went to, in the silence after a song, she asked us to pay attention to the image that came to mind. Mine was a ventilator. It made me realize how much work related grief I hadn't addressed. I see those devil sticks at all sorts of hippie dance events, but have never tried them.
This is the Spotify hula hoop Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7jvDbk8z551r456HaHfyse?si=qgqmHxBeQtW0Nhx92PBYMA&pi=u-CC2B1KjHStuf
I love that you're a student of surrender Amy, me too! Mostly it's not going so great so I look forward to living vicariously through you🙂
We can fail something and still be students of it! 😂
Yeah, the reason I'm a student is because it is something I am very, very bad at, but at least now I have recognized that it is something worth learning.
I too am a student of surrender. I plan to write a series about Letting Go of Control because those are the lessons I am currently learning. It's interesting (haha! I could insert a few other choice words but will go with that one). I have an inner sense that this series going to take a lot so I want to be ready. In the meantime I keep practicing!
As Christine pointed out in this great article beekeeping requires a lot of surrender, as does adulting.
I definitely need to read your series about letting go of control! I look forward to being your student!
I like that reframe - it's not something we are bad at per se, it's an opportunity for learning and growing!
Well done Christine! I'm not a beekeeper but my best friend is so I have travelled a little of the journey with her. As you said these practices apply to so many things. Right now I am practicing these traits in my writing, working to allow for courage and vulnerability, striving to create community and connection while offering value and meaning. When I am mindful is when the best work flows through me but, as you know, not every day is like that.
Oh I'd be curious to know what your best friend would add to this list.
And writing is certainly a spiritual practice for so many. And how you cultivate community through your writing. I love the idea of mindfulness through writing flow - although it is rather fleeting for me!
Haha, it is usually fleeting for me too. As you know we cannot grasp it, although I sure try!
I’ve recently written an article here on Substack that touches on beekeeping in Greece, after visiting and becoming enamored with their honey. It’s really about the honey but of course that leads to bees. https://open.substack.com/pub/maryannrollano/p/the-sweet-secrets-of-greek-honey
So your article was very interesting. Beekeeping is all new to me, I know little about it but am concerned about the US struggle with colony collapse. Apparently they don’t have that problem in Greece, or not as severe and have ways to mitigate. I’d love to hear your thoughts. The reverence they have for them and nature is refreshing. Also didn’t know the queen had royal beekeepers.
Oh thanks for linking your article, I look forward to reading it!
Colony Collapose Disorder or CCD is troubling and mite management is also a signficant issue. There are so many natural predators to the bees, it is almost hard to keep them alive. I am curious to know what is helping in Greece, although could have something to do with the climate. Many beekeepers I know (in NJ) have a hard time "overwintering the bees" which means the bees don't make it through winter. Sometimes due to moisture, lack of food or a poorly laying queen.
We also use a lot of Italian bees in the US, but I don't know much about the Greek breed, perhaps they are more resilient? (It is wild the differences in types of bees, like Italian bees are known for being laid back and Russian bees are very aggressive!)
This organization always has great and up to date information, including a map of CCD - https://beeinformed.org/
Wow! Christine this was so fascinating. You are the first person I know of that has equated bee keeping with a spiritual practice but your piece has me convinced. To answer your question, I could not think of one physical or even mental activity that I didn't learn something essential without experiencing it. I have recently discovered that writing poetry again (something I haven't done in earnest for about 40 years) is becoming a very welcomed spiritual practice. Also, the writing cohort I'm in here on Substack has incorporated nidra yoga practice before each writing exercise; it's amazing how different it is to be able to practice embodied writing when your body is first awakened by mindfulness. Thank you so much for this, friend.
I hope your poetry makes an appearance on your substack soon! I am so in awe of people that can write poetry and would look forward to reading yours.
And how neat that you are doing yoga nidra before writing. I've only ever done yoga nidra before bed, I'll have to give it a try before I sit down to write.
Thanks for the encouragement, Christine. Yes! My goal soon is to add a poetry segment to my substack. I'm currently dusting off my poetry chops and when I get a few going I'll definitely post. Definitely give the yoga nidra a try. It really, really helps that I spend so much time on my feet in nature that embodying a mindfulness practice like nidra comes naturally to me. Just my opinion on that. Curious, maybe I missed it, but didn't read how often you harvest honey. Just curious, like I said.
You're right - I didn't talk about harvesting the honey - there were so many aspects of beekeeping I left out, as it was getting quite long! It depends on how long I've had the bees, if they are less than a year old, I don't harvest the honey from that hive because they need it to get through the winter. If the hive has "overwintered" aka already survived one winter, then you can take about 40-60% of the honey the second summer. I usually just do one harvest in the fall, but many beekeepers do one harvest in the spring and one harvest in the fall. They honey is different in taste and color based on the seasons (spring = light, fall=darker). I only do it once because it is messy business! And takes all day - sometimes multiple days. And I don't do it all by hand, although I have in the past, now I have a fancy machine that spins the honey out of the frames - but there is still honey all over my house for quite some time!
Wow! I had a friend who lived near me and he had a hive on his roof (Pasadena,CA) and he wasn’t as detailed as you are. That is definitely a labor of love. Thanks for the info. 👍
Haha, like I said, I could go on for hours about this! 😂
I love this piece, Christine. Bringing my awareness to the creatures around us that sustain us in ways we are not even aware of, until we are. Your piece reminds me of how much I love standing under our apricot trees when they bloom in the springtime. If I pay attention, there's a literal 'humming' sounds brought about by the collective buzzing of all the bees gathering pollen from the apricot blooms. I love to listen and watch them as they work.
What a lovely ritual underneath your apricot trees! If you look at any of them closely, you will likely see their "pollen pants" which are the pockets of storage of the pollen on the bees' back legs. - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/324892560618553917/
I feel emotional, (in a good way), as I read about bees, I had no idea there is so much to learn, for example, the whole hive making a certain sound when the queen is in trouble. What a wonderful way to be in community; among the bees themselves and those who love them.
There are so much to learn about bees! And you'd get a kick out of knowing that a few colonies of bees survived the Notre Dame fire a few years back and some were calling them the miracle bees!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/31/they-survived-fire-and-lead-poisoning-so-what-happened-next-to-notre-dames-bees-aoe
Oh I had no idea! What a miracle, such hardy, resilient creatures. I love these French bees!
My mom is terrified of bees and all insects/bugs (with the exception of ladybugs)! I inherited her arachnophobia - but I feel with a good cheerleader I could try my hand at bee-keeping and feel a deep sense of peace from all you have shared here with us today.
Thank you so much for sharing so tenderly your experience as Keeper of the Bees- I feel both restored and inspired.
P.S. My son and I just did the Bee Breath and it's a HIT! This practice was not included in my certification for mindfulness- I absolutely LOVED learning about it here from you today. <3
Anytime you want to come to New Jersey, I will teach you all I know about beekeeping! And actually, I dislike ladybugs, as they like to invade our house (although techinically they are a beetle that just look the same as ladybugs)
Glad the bee breath was a hit with your son, mine also like the lion breath, has he tried that one?
Learning so much about bugs here- I love it!!
Yes we know and keep lions breath in our back-pocket for big feeling moments- I love that you are teaching Lion's Breath to your boys <3 I feel the highest impact when I teach my son an emotional regulation tool that we can practice together. I love connecting with other parents who have similar practices.
My 7 year old really likes the breathing practices and has created some of his own, which is fun, although I don't think they'll be taking off anytime soon (ie breathing in while pretending to drink a glass of water and spit it out for exhale!)
😂 I may have the perfect audience for his teachings. August is in his exploration of liquids phase- including giving his stuffy a bath in the toilet 🤪 (Ellie has been quarantined to the laundry room ever since)
Oh my goodness. I don't envy you right now! 😂
We’ve been celebrating all the happy bees in our yard. We let our hedge grow more than the HOA wants us too and it’s covered in beautiful blossoms that the bees are loving!
Also: Have you read the Shamanic Way of the Bee? I’m not recommending it (at all) but, well, it’s a whole thing.
Thanks for providing nourishment for the bees! Your too tall hedge reminds me of the signs I sometimes see "Pardon our weeds, we are feeding the bees"
I've not heard of the Shamanic Way of the Bee - do I want to go down that rabbit trail to learn more?
You might be able to find a summary of the book… I remember it being weird but interesting at the start and very disturbing at the end
I’ve always had a bee phobia 🙈but like most things that frighten me, I find it fascinating to learn more! I absolutely can see how mindful and spiritual this hobby could be, and how beautiful that you found it and were willing to face your fears. I also love the community aspect of learning new things. I felt very similarly about houseplants and meeting people with the same passion.
I can completely understand the bee phobia! I've been stung so many times now, it barely registers. 😂
Have you ever been to a houseplant swap? I've seen them advertised but have not been. The closest I've come is posting and receiving cuttings in my local buy nothing group.
Beautiful piece, Christine. I loved when you asked us "what are you a student of right now?"
Thanks Kay! I'd love to hear your answer, even if it changes on a daily basis.
Thanks for all the information about beekeeping. My favorite classes in college were local flora and entomology. But I’ve been a student of nature my entire life. I’m returning areas of lawn to meadows with native grass, coneflower, bee balm, and bergamot. But Mountain mint is the best plant in my yard to observe bees and other pollinators during the summer. Right now, dandelion flowers are a wonderful source of pollen for bees too.
I love picturing your yard full of flowers and grasses. We've been returning some of our fields to meadows too and it is a process in patience!