Find a place and a way to be. You may find it helpful to be somewhere without distraction, if such a place exists for you. If not, let it be what it is.

In this practice you will be invited to consider and observe the objects you surround yourself with — and so you will likely wish to situate yourself in a place where you keep things that are meaningful to you. You may wish to sit, stand, or lie down depending on your vantage point. Move and adjust as necessary and remember you can always repeat this practice, listen or read again, in a new place and in a new way.

Begin by taking in the space that you are in.

Move your eyes.

Turn your head.

Turn your body.

Try to observe as much as you can — the architecture, the objects, the colours, the shapes and types of things that are present.

Focusing your attention in, begin to scan and more closely consider the objects that surround you.
Notice what parts of this feel familiar to you and what feels new.
Notice what feels important, which objects resonate and which are simply there.

Settle on one thing that you feel drawn to. Move closer to it if you wish or choose to observe it from afar.

As you begin to take in this object, begin to reflect not just on what is immediately apparent but on the story of this object. Begin to reflect on what you know about it and what you don’t.

Consider what was used or needed to make this single thing
And where those materials may have come from.

Consider if it’s one of a kind or one of many.

Think about the maker of this object
Who they are and where they are
And if it was made by one person or many. 

Consider how this object found its way to you. Maybe you know its story, but if you don’t try to imagine - what was that journey?

What does it make you think of?

Who does it make you think of?

Who does it connect you to?

On your own time, shift your attention to a new object
And begin this process again
Considering, imagining, reflecting on the worlds each object contains
And how it found its way to you.

Begin to take in the other objects in the space you are in.

Begin to open up your gaze to include everything all at once.

Begin, if you can, to sense the lines of connection
The threads of memory
All the humans whose stories sit beside you, just under the surface
Quietly weaving their way through your world.

How can you hold onto this knowing?

How can you continue to sense what is there
Who is there
And all the life we can’t quite see?