The interrupted peaceful serenity by melissa g

lissa768 — 2020-05-14 10:33:36 UTC

Getting out of my car the first movement that I noticed was a child riding a bike in the car park and looking beyond that I could see an excavator moving its big long arm up and down to dig. Walking further down the path, towards the bridge I could see a flutter in the distance and the black wings gave it away that it was a Crow. Moving to the other side of the bridge I could see two magpie larks perched on branches ruffling their feathers. The water near the bridge had a calming effect and only had some swirls as it seemed to be moving gracefully towards the opening of the water hole. Continuing along the path as it is currently autumn there were autumn leaves that we're falling from the trees, with a beautiful array of colours. Walking further along I noticed the water which was rushing fast towards the rocks as if it was desperate to get in the open water. There was a few ducks in the water that we're creating ripples around them which created a triangle ripple around it, another duck was getting out of the water, some were resting, a goose started to flap its wings as I came near probably as a way to warn me to stay back.

lissa768 — 2020-05-14 10:33:52 UTC

When I arrived at the Nook, the first thing that I noticed before I even got out of the car was that there was a car alarm going off. As I got out of my car, I could also hear an excavator working and the chattering of people in the carpark and children greeting me. The usual peaceful serenity that I am used to when I go to the Nook had been disturbed but as I continued to walk further down the path and away from the busy car park. When I reached the bridge, the car park noises grew fainter and I was able to listen to my surroundings and I could hear a crow in the distance and see two magpie larks singing to each other. As the noise began to quieten even more, I could hear my own footsteps underneath the crunching of the gravel rocks. As I continued to walk around the footpath, I found I could hear the rushing water that was crashing over the rocks. This noise was so loud that it drew me nearer and as I got closer I didn't even notice the geese and ducks that was just to the side of me until they noticed me and started to make more noise alerting the others that there was a presence nearby. Reflecting on this when I meditate, I use the sound of rushing water, so as I stood there listening to the water it began to calm me. Linking this to R. Murray Schafer concept of listening and how he was describing that music is all around us in the soundscape we just need to listen, I believe this is relevant in the sounds of the rushing water and my footsteps on the gravel, it's an orchestra of various sounds.

lissa768 — 2020-05-14 10:34:11 UTC

With the combination of both movement and sound it adds an element of reflection upon the place where I can listen with my eyes and ears to fully appreciate the natural and human elements of my surroundings. Its interesting being able to see the geese and white ducks, as I have been to the Nook many times but the geese and those type of ducks are not usually there. So seeing them was an extraordinary moment as ducks and geese for me it brings up fond memories of going to feed them when I was younger. With all of this in mind I began to reflect on why it is so important that we need to listen to children, as they have the right to be heard and with listening to them will come a different understanding of their world and how I can engage with them and allow them to reach their full potential. Walking around and just listening to the surrounds was a powerful way to connect with the place, this is something that I would like to bring as teacher and allow the children to just walk and listen to their surroundings. As I was engaged it is something that I would like to incorporate more into my daily life in appreciating the natural world around me and what it has to offer.

The interrupted peaceful serenity

lissa768 — 2020-05-14 11:49:15 UTC

lissa768 — 2020-05-14 11:53:58 UTC

Murray Schafer 2017, R. Murray Schafer: Listen, YouTube, 4 April, National Film Board of Canada, viewed 7 May, < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOlxuXHWfHw>.