Nature awareness mindfulness practices can facilitate a deeper connection with ourselves and nature. This past weekend while walking outdoors, I happened upon a flock of white ibis that flew directly overhead, back and forth three or four times. I felt an overwhelming sense of wonder and awe and a feeling of connection with something much greater than myself. I was dancing around with my camera, shutter on rapid fire, and I was laughing out loud, because I felt so happy and alive in response to witnessing this bird sky dance.
When the birds landed, I stood still and looked around me. There were people all around, none of whom had been looking up at the birds but who apparently had been quite entertained by watching me dancing around and laughing while holding my camera. “Did you see that?” I asked, looking around. “What?” a few people asked. The others shook their heads and kept walking.
I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.
John Muir
At least once a day this week, try to go outside in nature and be still. Expand your awareness to include any aspect of nature that surrounds you — the sky, trees, flowering plants, birds, insects, clouds, rain, snow. Look around, and pause to really notice the beauty that surrounds you in each moment. Look up at the sky, and look down at the ground. See if you can allow yourself to experience good feelings in relation to what you observe. You might feel happiness, joy, or a sense of connection or awe.
Now try expanding whatever good feelings you experience from nature awareness so that the feelings grow. Take a moment to let these good feelings really sink in to your body, heart, and mind. Pause, breathe, and notice the state of your body, heart, and mind.
Here’s to living mindfully and living well,
Jen