Today, we are taking five minutes to look
mindfully at one painting. A chance to
let go of thoughts of the past, plans or
worries for the future, to just be here,
in this moment, with this image, of
Turner's 'Rain, Steam, and Speed'. First,
let's set ourselves up for looking.
Starting by sitting in a relaxed, but
upright posture, legs uncrossed, if that's
comfortable for you. Feeling your feet
planted firmly on the floor, and taking
all of your awareness down to the
sensations and the soles of your feet.
Are there tingles, pulsations? Perhaps no
sensations at all. And then taking your
attention to the contact of your body
pressed into the seat of the chair,
feeling the contact of your clothes
against your skin, the air against your
face and hands. Is it warm?
Is it cool? And finishing by taking a few
mindful breaths, just following three
breaths. All the way in,
and all the way out. In, out.
In,
and out. And when you're ready, seeing if
you can, in your imagination, picture
yourself in the world of this painting.
Feel the rain lashing down, sliding down
your face, and the wind, snatching your
breath. Smelling the coal and engine
smells, with the grit of soot in your
eyes.
And then again taking your whole body
into the painting, exploring places to be.
Perhaps as a wind-tossed bird, looking
down upon the scene.
The farmer plowing in the field, battling
uphill in the rain and the mud. The
passenger, cold and wet, open to the
elements, feeling the jolts of the train
with the landscape sliding by. The blur
of the hare on the track, sprinting for
dear life. The figures on the banks of
the Thames.
Are they train spotters waving? People
dancing?
Or slipping by on the river, savouring
life at a different pace. Slow looking,
whether at paintings, or the views and
objects around you, is always available
as an anchor and haven, no matter where
we are, or whatever life throws at us.
