Winter Solstice greetings from all of us at OPO…
Solstice is a pivotal time of the year where we experience the longest nights and shortest daylight. Around the world it is a significant moment for ritual, feast and contemplation of past and future. It's an opportunity for us all to create some meaningful stillness before the festive season takes hold.
It’s been another remarkable year for us, so thank you to all of you who keep OPO at the centre of your day. And for those of you who’s lives have been supported, transformed or inspired, we appreciate you. You inspire us to keep growing and touching more peoples lives.
We wish you a healthy and hearty festive season.,
Chris. Elliot and the OPO team
JOURNEY IN
FIRE AND WINTER STILLNESS
Like every element, fire is powerful and necessary in our lives, no more so than as we head into the Winter season. Take some time to light a fire or a simple candle. Sit at least 1-2 meters from the flame so you have a good space for observation.
Put your headphones on, follow the image link and press play.
This meditation invites you to let the flames be your point of presence. Watch the flames move and shift in a dance of silence and stillness.
Discover more sessions in our free OPO app.
VENTURE OUT
THE GREAT NORTH - SOUND JOURNEY
It's become a yearly tradition and our OPO journey into the Northern lights is still one of our favourites. Produced by the gifted musician and composer Lasse Mosegard and founder Chris Connors, The Great North is a truly mesmerising journey into the vastness of the Northern Lights.
For this one it is best to lie down, eyes closed and allow some time afterward to integrate as the sounds are highly engaging.
Tap the image or follow the link to explore more.
COMMUNITY
ANNA HART - JOURNALIST & BROADCASTER
Belfast-born Anna Hart is an award-winning journalist, author, presenter and documentary maker, specialising in positive-impact stories about marginalised and misunderstood peoples and places. She is based between Belfast and Barcelona, and is currently working working on her second book, Homes, about freedom of movement.
Anna sat down with our founder Chris Connors as they crossed paths on the winter streets of NYC. Read the full interview here.
Find out more about Anna on her website or Instagram.
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Chris... What is it about this solstice/festive time that you love most?
Anna... I particularly love the winter solstice invitation to embrace darkness, decline and death, rather than fighting against it with bright lights, inauthentic positivity and a refusal to let go. This feels quite radical, particularly against the inescapable backdrop of the more conventional and commercial trappings of Christmas.
Chris... What are your rituals that support you on your travels?
Anna... I seek out places of worship. I go running in parks or along waterways. I light a candle. I put pen to paper and let the feelings fall out of me onto the page. I make silly jokes to barstaff or people in shops so that even in a place where I don't know anyone yet, I have moments of connection - however small, they are never inconsequential. I call my Mum. I read a Jane Austen novel. These things anchor me.
Chris... With all your inter-cultural experiences what do you think unites us all as members of the human race? What are our common attributes?
Anna... Actually, it's our diversity that I find most compelling. Everyone is deep when you dig hard enough. Everyone has a story, and everyone's story will make you laugh and make you cry if you listen long enough. Every person you meet can teach you something, about something - there is something they know that you don't.
Chris.. One wish for humanity in 2025?
Anna... World peace, naturally, but more smiles on the street is a good start.
READ
THE WAY FORWARD by YUNG PUEBLO
The bestselling author and poet returns with his most inspiring collection pf poetry and short prose yet. In this third and final instalment of his poetic trilogy, Yung Pueblo expands on his well-known themes, guiding readers toward a life lived authentically, intuitively, and in harmony with others.
In these rapidly changing times, it's more important than ever to slow down and connect with ourselves. 'The Way Forward' encourages us to deepen our intuition, helping us stay focused and grounded amidst a world in constant flux.
Yung Pueblo offers strategies for managing the unknown, embracing personal power, and presenting the truest, healthiest self in relationships. Progressing naturally from previous books 'Inward' and 'Clarity & Connection', 'The Way Forward* is a perfect companion for 2025.
Read more about Yung Pueblo and his writings here.
LISTEN IN
MUSIC FOR WINTER & WONDER
( uses spotify )
Take time to indulge in these warming sounds and songs curated for a perfect restful Winter day. Relax into our mix of sounds and heartening beats here. With tracks from Ólafur Arnalds, Goldfrapp, Mari Boine, and more.
'Meditation is inner music, music is outer Meditation'
