Part One Practice: Human Layers

(serene music) Hi, I'm Ella. Welcome to this longtime academy practice. It's called Human Layers, and we've created it to connect with future generations. Before we get going, I'd like to invite you to find a quiet area where you have space to move a little forwards and a little backwards. (gentle music) If you can, stand. Making yourself comfortable. Taking a breath. Arriving. Relaxing your shoulders. Letting go of any tension you feel in your body. Feeling your breath moving in and out. Noticing the support of the ground beneath you. Being present to this moment. And now, let's begin. Bring to mind someone you feel warmly towards of your grandparents' age. They may or may not still be with us. It might be a grandparent, a great aunt or uncle, or another older person. Think of one of their qualities that evokes warmth in you. It could be their smile, something that made them laugh, their hands. (bell dings) Step backwards one step. As you step backwards, you're stepping back in time. Imagine that person at 40. How was that quality that evokes warmth for you present in them then? Take a moment to connect with them in the past. (bell dings) Now, step back in time again. And this time, imagine you're at that person's ninth birthday. How was that quality that evokes warmth in you present in them back then? What do they look like? What are they eating at this ninth birthday party? When is it? It could be in the 1920s or '30s, maybe a bit earlier or a bit later. Where in the world are they? Imagine that you walk over to the window and for a moment, turn your back on the party. What do you see outside of the window? What's the world like back then? How are people getting around? How are they communicating with each other? Take a moment to drink in the world back then. And now come back into the room and drink in this ninth birthday party of this person that you care about. And then take your leave. (bell dings) Step forward one step through the generations. (bell dings) Step forward again. You're back in the present day. Take a moment. Breathe. Let go of that older person. Feel the ground beneath your feet. And take a deep breath in and out. Now, think of a small person who you feel warmly towards. It could be a child, a grandchild, niece, nephew, or the offspring of friends. Think of one of their qualities that evokes warmth in you. It could be their smile, the things that make them laugh, their hands. (bell dings) Step forwards one step. You're stepping forward in time. Imagine that person at 40. How is that quality that evokes warmth present in them then? Take a moment to connect with them in the future. (bell dings) Step forward another step. It's now their 90th birthday. They're sitting around a table being...