Long Time Practices
Human Layers
An immersive, emotional time-travel experience read by Ella Saltmarshe.
This practice has been created by Ella Saltmarshe & Hannah Smith. It is inspired by the work of deep ecologist, Joanna Macy. It enables us to walk across the generations, developing an emotional connection to the lives of past and future ancestors, read by host Ella Saltmarshe.
Death Meditation
A profound meditation that asks listeners to imagine what it’s like to die, in order to bring a deeper appreciation for being alive.
NOTE: this episode contains discussion around death which some people may find difficult.
Written and read by end-of-life specialist, Alua Arthur, this meditation asks us to imagine what it is like to die, in order to bring about a deeper appreciation of being alive. It’s a life-affirming practice that’s best done in its entirety, in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. And it’s important to say, that practice isn’t recommended for those experiencing depression or having suicidal thoughts. If this is you, we gently advise not to do this meditation today. Here’s a link to a collection of mental health resources around the world for those feeling, depressed, suicidal or needing emotional support: https://www.headspace.com/mental-health-resources
More about Alua Arthur’s end of life work here.
The Well of Deep Time
Travel back through the evolution of our beautiful planet in this deep time practice.
Read by Kessonga Giscombe, this immersive and transformative meditation takes listeners back through time, and through the 4.6 billion year evolution of our living Earth. Experience a unique perspective of deep time!
The Well of Deep Time was written by Stephan Harding and Robert Woodford of the Deep Time Walk Project, with thanks to Ella Saltmarshe and Lina Prestwood.
The Well Of Deep Time is available in an illustrated .pdf from The Deep Time Walk Project website, alongside the Deep Time Walk App and other useful resources.
The meditation was composed and sound designed by Casually Here for Scenery Studios. Audio courtesy of The Deep Time Walk Project with additional sound design elements from Jo Hutton.
Loving Kindness for Future Generations
A Loving Kindness meditation with a Long Time twist.
This Loving-Kindness-meditation-with-a-twist asks us to generate care for people around us today and for those in the future, who have yet to be born. Co-created by Ella Saltmarshe and Headspace teacher Dora Kamau, who also reads the meditation.
The Words Before All Else
A thanksgiving, gratitude address read by Haudenosaunee clan mother, Mama Bear.
A gift to the students of the Academy from Mama Bear, Bear Clan Mother for the Mohawk Nation Council. This traditional Haudenosaunee practice expresses gratitude and empathic connection to all of creation.
Usually delivered whenever people gather to make a decision, it can also be done as an individual practice first thing in the morning - “ideally before your feet hit the floor” - or last thing at night.
With a great many thanks to Mama Bear and Michelle Schenandoah.
Decolonising Your Imagination with Afro-rithms
This imaginative and interactive meditation exercise gives you a unique opportunity to experience elements of the Afro-rithms from the Future game with its co-creator, Ahmed Best. Feel the right hemisphere of your brain awaken with new ideas as he guides and inspires you to build and create a beautiful, decolonised world of your very own...
Written and read by Ahmed Best, with thanks to Lonny Avi Brooks.
Find out more about Afro-rithms from the Future here
Your Long Time Ritual
This Long Time Ritual enables you to sense into your unique location in the great web of life. Use it whenever you’d like to drop into longer, deeper time.
You’ll need a small object that represents the long time for you. It could be a pebble, an acorn, a seed … anything that connects you to the long past, the long future, or time itself.
The Long Time Ritual is written and read by Ella Saltmarshe.