I was listening to a podcast the other day and someone mentioned finding comfort in the Monterey Bay Aquarium live jelly cam. Now I have that floating on one of my screens basically whenever I am in my study. Something about the pulsation, the flow, the grace, the every-changing landscape is mesmerizing, soothing, Jellyfish is one of the transformational, basic neurocellular stages that human embryo passes through in its development. Perhaps I am having an embryonic memory, a yearning for a more womblike, oceanic experience right now.
The title “sanctuary” came to me last night, but as I began to write, I was overwhelmed by the vastness of the embodied experience of sanctuary. Last night I enjoyed a Zoom class on embryology with Lorelei Bond. As we began, she invited us to settle into our cellular beingness. Sanctuary!
I have been cleaning, moving precious objects, wiping down shelves, treasures, photographs – everything that creates the sanctuary of my study space. Yesterday I began my movement practice as a jellyfish, undulating, pulsing, nourished by the profound refuge of the moving body.
I have a large mountain laurel in full bloom outside my study window. I walked outside to see it more closely and realized that I had never smelled the blossoms and found that they are delicately fragrant. Sanctuary.
Pam and I are meditating together every morning. Sanctuary.
So is sanctuary aligned with pleasure? I think so. With comfort? Yes. With place? Of course. With people? More than ever.
I am making more calls, writing more letters, hanging out in more Zoom rooms than ever. I am filled with an incredible sense of connectedness and appreciation. Sanctuary everywhere, all around, holding us, together apart.
How are you discovering and creating sanctuary in this time? Tell me.
Just a reminder. I am working with students and clients virtually at this time, with both movement and talk. If you would like to arrange a Somatic Experiencing or Somatic Movement Therapy Zoom session, you can contact me at pjj@paulajosajones.org.