Relax with this video and then scroll down for the 'PASTON' prompts.
This wellbeing trail is designed for those of faith and those of no faith seeking soul connections in nature.
Bacton Walking Meditation
We invite you to join us on a pilgrimage - a journey into an unknown place, in search of new or expanded meaning about yourself, others, nature and spirituality. We hope this walk will give you the space to connect with the heritage story whilst also exploring both the inner and outer landscapes. Might you connect with something greater than yourself as we lead you in a variety of activities?
Things to consider before the walk:
- You will need something to write on and with
- There is some minor road walking so take care and paddling in the sea is at your own risk!
- Take photos of your creations and tag us on social media #pastonfootprints
We use the Bacton trail, once a national pilgrimage route, as illustration. However, the 'PASTON' meditation prompt can be used on any of the countryside walks. The heritage walk can be combined with meditation walking, using the historic details as a way to focus the mind before meditating. Or revisit in a different season and do heritage and meditation walking as two different experiences.
Let’s walk like a pilgrim ...
'P'aston:
Pause and play
At any point along the beach take a moment to pause.
Using what you find around you we invite you to create some Beach Art. You might use what has washed up on the shore line, you may draw on, write in or build something with the sand. Play with being creative. You will be following in the footprints of the Clunaic monks at Bromholm Priory, who were advocates of the arts.
Pause and contemplate what creation you see and what creation means to you. If you find stones, are you able to build a prayer cairn on the beach? What is your prayer today?
P'A'ston:
Art and awareness
You will have walked inland from the beach and made it to the coast road. Can you spot the village sign? We are going to take a moment to be reflective and orientate ourselves to the place.
Are you aware of what the features on the village sign might mean? The figure in the habit represents Bromholm Priory. We will visit the ruins of the priory next on our journey. The boat represents the close proximity of the sea, the fish represent the past fishing industry and a wheatsheaf represents agriculture. To signify their identity, the Pastons used heraldry.
Create your own sign or emblem. What might you add to represent your life journey so far? What are you most aware of that captures your spirit?
Sketch out your own sign or emblem. Add your name to where the place name would be and draw all those things that might tell a bit about your story. Are you aware of how your spirituality or stuff of the soul might feature?
Pa'S'ton:
Still in silence
You will have turned left at the Priory Gate. Soon the Priory will appear on your right. Continue until you get to the end of the footpath for the best views of the ruins.
A Priory is a Monastery Church governed by a Prior/Prioress. This is a place of community and people would have lived by a ‘Rule of Life’, which would have encompassed periods of silence.
Find a space to sit or stand. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Open your eyes. Either gaze upon the Priory or on an object in nature. Each time your mind wanders, bring it back to focus on your object. Be silent and present, allow yourself to become aware of God’s presence around you.
You might want to use this as your mantra as you still yourself - 'Be Still and know that I am God' ~ Psalm 46:10
Pas'T'on:
Thankfulness
Walk past the church and take a seat on the circular bench before the gate. Look around, do you notice the Headstone with an anchor? What about the bench you are sitting on - can you see who it is dedicated to?
In the Paston letters, we see thanks expressed to family members and friends. Sit for a moment and think about all the people in your life who you are thankful for. Who is your anchor?
In the Bible, the term anchor is used metaphorically to represent God and Faith - that which keeps us steadfast and gives us hope during the trials and storms of life. In Hebrews 6, hope is described as the 'anchor for our soul.'
Give thanks, or say a prayer of gratitude, for those whose footprints remain treasured in your life. Often in the Paston letters we find a deep sense of gratitude, 'I thanke ȝow hertely for my lettyr'. If you want to extend this spell of gratitude, you could go on our gratitude scavenger hunt.
Past'O'n:
Observe
As you walk use all your senses to observe and connect with the landscape and beauty of God’s creation. What can you hear, see, smell and feel? How does it connect you to something bigger?
Create a Psalm observing compass point directions.
Can you work out where North is? We are going to take a moment to be reflective and orientate ourselves to the place. Using all your senses, what do you notice in each direction? Start by facing East and then turn 90 degrees to face South and so on. From your experiences, construct a psalm or a poem using these prompts:
i. Consider what is East, where the day starts with the sunrise. 'To the East I ...'
ii. Consider what is South, from where the midday sun shines. 'To the South I ...'
iii. Consider what is West (sunset). 'To the West I ...'
iv. Consider what is North (sleep). 'To the North I ...'
v. Finally, look inward. 'Inside I feel ...'
vi. Give thanks. 'I am thankful for ...'
Pasto'N':
Next steps
We are back at the beach. Many of the Pastons journeyed on the water, travelling to the Burgundy courts, Clement Paston (1515-23–1597) became a sea captain, while William Paston (1610-62/3) travelled across the waters to Italy, Palestine and Egypt collecting curiosities.
Get those shoes and socks off and go for a barefoot walk on the sand and maybe even a paddle! Take some time to walk in silence and feel connected to the earth.
'Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes' (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
Reflect on the journey you have just been on.
What do you want to leave behind?
What do you want to take with you?
Wild blessings for your onward Pilgrimage.
If you prefer to bring a paper copy, download and print the 'PASTON' prompts:
This walking meditation was created by Charlie Houlder-Moat, LLM, who leads Norfolk Wild Church, and Karen Smyth.
