Ngarayamūrah – Listening to Country is a meditation voiced by Nicole Smede and created in collaboration with PWC Australia and Red Room Poetry. It was released in time for National Reconciliation Week 2020.

Derived from Nicole's Poetry in First Languages commission poem, 'Wuri Rising' and featuring her song, 'Gugara' Kuragia, this re-grounding exercise is designed to take you within and re-discover the deep and infinite connection to minga – Mother Earth – and the life force that flows through all living things. Through storytelling, you are encouraged to find your affinity with being present with and in nature.

The soundscapes for Ngarayamūrah – Listening to Country were recorded along the Shoalhaven River and Bomaderry Creek and this project was guided by Gumea Dharawal Custodian, Jacob-Chant-Morris, who provided Gumea Dharawal language interpretations. Red Room Poetry and PWC Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters where this work has been crafted and shared, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.

Settle into the full eight-minute meditation, including a Ngarayamūrah – Listening to Country exercise. Or choose the five-minute version for a shorter reflection.

Photo credit: Bonnie Greene