Dear Friends,
Today we begin by setting an intention for the month ahead.
At this time of year, we are often encouraged to make New Year’s resolutions – goals about what to change, improve, or fix. Resolutions tend to be future-focused and outcome-oriented. They can be useful, but they can also carry pressure: succeed or fail, keep up or fall behind.
An intention is different. Rather than aiming at a specific result, an intention can describe how we want to relate to our experience. You might think of it as an orientation, a way of facing whatever arises, rather than a plan for how things should turn out.
This month, our exploration of the elements – earth, water, fire, and air – will support this kind of orientation. The elements invite us to notice what is already here: solidity and support, flow and change, warmth and energy, movement and breath. They do not ask us to improve the body or control it. Instead, they offer a steady way to pay attention with care.
Working with the elements can support steadiness because they are reliable and always present. It can support care by shifting us from judgment to curiosity. And it can support insight by helping us see the body as part of the natural world – shaped by conditions, changing moment by moment – rather than something separate or fixed.
As you begin this month, you might consider setting a simple intention. Not something to accomplish, but a quality you would like to bring to your experience. For example:
- To meet the body with curiosity rather than criticism
- To gently stay connected to direct experience, even when it is uncomfortable
- To relate with kindness when things don’t go as planned
There is no need to hold this intention tightly. Like a compass, it can quietly guide you, even when you lose sight of it for a while.
A brief reflection
Take a moment today to ask yourself:
What might change if I experienced my body as part of nature, rather than something I need to manage or perfect?
You do not need an answer – just notice what the question opens.
If you are so inclined, you are invited to share a word, phrase, or brief reflection about your intention or what this question brings up for you. You can reply to the email or comment below. Your reflections can quietly support others and strengthen our sense of practicing together.
Tomorrow, we will begin with the earth element, exploring qualities of solidity, stability, and support.
With good wishes,
Andrea
Thank you for these worlds, Andrea. I found it fruitful to reflect on these questions. My intention this month:
* To be peace, to see peace
* To not run away from suffering, to meet it with patience and kind
A couple reflections on body as nature:
* Care of body as creating conditions, rather than a goal
* Conditions and results are always changing, part of being alive
Thank you 🙏
Hi Roberta – it’s so lovely to read your intentions and reflections. They contribute a gentle reminder of what it means to meet experience with care. 🙏
Thank you for this message. I particularly found contrasting intentions as qualitative vs resolutions which often come with a measurable outcome helpful.
I will use this month for curiosity. I expect I will be surprised frequently
Just because I enjoyed the imagery I will share what came to my mind about thinking about our body as part of nature , I thought about a cat. I thoughts cats seem to love being cats in an unconditional kind of way Perhaps that is enough.
Hi Myrtle, Thank you for these thoughts. Your intention of curiosity and the image of the cat both offer a playful, kind way of meeting the body. May your curiosity lead you to moments of ease and insight.
With gratitude to you for sharing your gift, my word and intention is ehipassiko.
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🙏 With gratitude for your practice, Rod.
Hi Andrea,
I have always been very judgemental about my body. It will be good to look at the body as a part of nature.
My intention will be to observe the judgement and try to soften it.
Much gratitude for this opportunity.
Hi Twyla, Thank you for offering this. Meeting long-held judgments with softness is not easy, and your intention carries a lot of gentleness.