The Natural Path To Mindfulness

Why Nature?

“Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them” 
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” 

- John Muir

Sometimes, things are far more simple than we make them out to be. Being mindful, engaging in meditation practices, the ability to let go, focus on and fully experience the present moment seems challenging or impossible at times. Incessant chatter, thoughts and worry hold the mind hostage and prevent focus, clarity and peace of mind. 

A friend once referred to this behavior as "stinkin' thinkin'." Getting caught up in our thoughts removes us from experience and obstructs the ability to see the world as it is.  

Mindfulness requires the ability to diffuse thoughts and concerns about the past and future in order to see things as they are in the present moment.  Like many, I sometimes get tangled up in my thoughts and struggle to let go. One exception is evident. In nature, mindfulness, seeing things as they are and engaging with the present moment is near effortless. When external stimulus is removed and I find opportunity to spend time outdoors, peace of mind flows in and clutter and distraction are flushed out.  It is my experience that focus and clarity are most easily found in nature.

Many meditative practices aim to engage and focus attention on the senses. In the natural environment, I easily become attuned to sights, sounds and smells.  Recently, I visited Pinetop, Arizona. As I left the desert and the elevation increased, the temperature dropped to a clean, comfortable level. Down went the windows and my car quickly flooded with the pure sweet scent of crisp mountain air, infused by numerous surrounding pine trees and other mountain foliage. It occurred to me, I was more engaged and connected with the present moment while navigating windy mountain roads, than in other settings in which I had nothing at all to do.  

It's the Little Things

   

"Nature is pleased with simplicity. 

And nature is no dummy” 

    - Isaac Newton

During my recent jaunt to the woods, I went on several notable hikes.  Though hiking is not a new interest, there was one notable difference on this trip. During past excursions, hiking was an activity to accomplish, with an ultimate goal of completing a specific trail. This time around, there was not any set agenda.  The activity - not so much the hike, trail or destination but rather to observe and take in the experience.  Timelines and agendas were forgotten in favor of slowing down, taking time to smell the flowers so to speak.  

 

Up close and personal caterpillar 

The result of slowing down was a heightened sense of awareness, creating ideal conditions for clarity and mindfulness. My senses tuned into the smallest of details. The experience was so rich and full - prior treks do not even come close.  I was able to hear and see even the smallest of critter. Observing scenery with the eye of an artist, I took notice of texture, lines and color.  Never before had I exercised so much patience or focus outdoors.  I appreciated, even enjoyed the slowness of it all.  At the end of each day, I was not exhausted from the intensity of the hike but rather, felt renewed and calmed by the stillness of my mind.  

                                                Peace of mind is priceless. 

- Jennifer Fox

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” 

- Albert Einstein 







Surprisingly, there is not a ton of research on nature and the mind.  Some further reading that I found linked below:

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/research_digest/does_nature_make_you_more_mindful

http://dalailamacenter.org/heart-mind-2013-helping-children-thrive/short-films-inspired-heart-mind-2013/mindfulness-nature

http://ogradywellbeing.com/benefits-practicing-mindfulness-nature/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886911001711

http://www.ivypress.co.uk/books/mindfulness-and-the-natural-world/

There are quite a few retreat type opportunities that integrate mindfulness, meditation and nature. The first link provides several options:

http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/Training/Detailed-Training-Information/Meditation-Retreats/

http://www.awakeinthewild.com/schedule/nature-retreats/

http://themindfulnessinstitute.com/nature-retreats/