This exercise is probably most enjoyable when done lying in the sun-soaked grass of a wildflower meadow, but the great thing about cloud-gazing is that you can do it pretty much anywhere, anytime. The beach, the park and the bus to school provide equal opportunities for mindful contemplation of the sky.
- Begin by noticing the colour of the clouds above you. Are they different shades in different areas? Do they complement or contrast with the colour of the sky? Are they haloed with light or cast in shadow? Imagine you’re seeing clouds for the first time – what do they look like?
- Pay attention to the shapes you can see – do the clouds resemble anything familiar? See how many different things you can notice – are the edges of the clouds clearly defined or do they wisp out into airy nothingness? Are they motionlessly suspended or on the move? If they’re moving, how fast or slow are they travelling and in what direction?
- Engage all your senses. What would the clouds taste like? Would you bake them into a cauliflower cheese, or stir them into hot chocolate? What would it feel like to touch the clouds? Whether you use this opportunity to ground yourself in the present moment or drift into daydreams, enjoy the peace that comes with studying the sky.