Crane meditations

My crane meditation reminder sheet, 31/5/20

At the end of May 2020, I wrote these words in my journal:

“The ability to monitor and self-regulate is vital. I can’t just keep that ability to my client days – I need it for every day. What can I create? I need a way into self and into relationship and into reality every day. Can I create a crane meditation?”

The answer was yes.

I often have a pad of squares with me, so I can fold if I need to. I usually choose to fold a crane, a simple design I know well. I have created a flight of cranes for many places I have done therapy or written about therapy in. For many origami enthusiasts, it is the ultimate piece to fold, and there are many legends about the luck, peace and health that come with completing 1000 of them.

For me, in a moment of stress, anger or simple idleness, the act of creating a crane returns me. I can focus, on the simple crisp folds. On my breath as it slows. On the elegant beauty of the finished bird. I decided to attempt to formalise this process, and create a mindful set of steps to match the folds.

The quality of each fold, the shape and movement in it, reflected a type of thought. Of course, the different folds could be used to represent any idea, and in time I may change how I use it. For now, this is what it means for me. I went through several rounds of folding and reflecting before I arrived at a form that was open enough to use for any situation, and also that encouraged reflection without judgement or criticism. The idea isn’t to deal with or answer the problem, or work out its source, but to provide me with the space in which to be alongside it, aware and calm enough to begin to process it. It can be tempting to use that moment to list everything wrong, I find it more helpful to limit the ‘wrongs’ to four, and then muse on which is at the root of the others, and use that as a focus.

There is no rush in moving from step to step, some take longer than others. There is no need to end with a perfectly folded crane, that isn’t the objective.

I encourage you to reflect on what steps you might need to go on to find your self, your peace, and then apply them to an action you find soothing. The daily can be transformational, and should be, because we always have it.

Original notes, 30/5/20

To find detailed instructions on making a crane, try typing ‘origami crane’ into a search engine, or YouTube. Any square piece of paper will do.

Step 1 – Enclose

Fold the paper in half, colour side in.

Remove yourself from the world, find a space to be in alone, where you can set aside the moment.

Step 2 – Ground

Make the diagonal fold, colour side out.

Find your edges and centre. Find solid ground and breathe in the space until you feel calm enough to begin reflecting.

Step 3 – Enquire

Form the squares from the triangles.

Enquire into your perspective now, what is the current shape of your need, your body, your mind? What is pressing on you? There are four parts to this new shape – what could be at the centre of them? From a different perspective, which seems the most important to grow awareness of?

Step 4 – Shift

Fold the edges to the centre.

Now you are aware of your situation, what needs shifting? Is there a thought that is somehow back to front? A simple action or word which could alleviate pressure? Is another pair of eyes or ears needed? Or perhaps an acknowledgement that this simply needs to be put down for now?

Step 5 – Impact

Lift the edges into the diamond

If your situation took on a new shape, possibly after action or thought, what would the impact of that be on you? Immediate relief, or the beginning of a journey? Finding yourself back somewhere familiar? How do you feel about managing that impact? What would the impact on others be - other relationships, other situations?

Step 6 – Need

Fold the narrow edges to the centre.

Considering again the shifts and impacts, what are your needs now? Self-care? Support? Information? How can you muster those, now or later?

Step 7 – Self

Lift the tail and neck inside.

Return to yourself, ground yourself again in this new place. Confirm any small decisions or movements you wish to make.

Step 8 – Enough

Fold down the head.

The smallest fold, but an important reminder that you are enough.

Step 9 - Return

Spread the wings.

Get ready to move on, fly even, to return back into the world. Open to the new, to the change. Perhaps fragile, perhaps sturdy and ready to be seen.