Have you ever taken a walk in nature and felt a profound sense of peace, as if just buy being among the trees you were able to release your stress, tension, and anxiety? In the past few weeks, I've been exploring a deeper sense of connectedness and energy that I tap into sometimes, in the world outside my home. Last month I was inspired by an article I read on Medium.com and some of Kyle Cease's videos on YouTube. Since then, I have been exploring the richness of the experience I can have just by feeling into the space around me. Though most of the time, I am at home, I have noticed that I experience more profound, and sometimes more soothing moments when I do venture outside. What's in the Space?Have you ever thought about what's in the space around you? There is something vibrant and alive connecting everything - us to each other, us to the trees, the trees to each other, etc. Let's try an experiment... A Walk in NatureImagine walking through those trees in the first picture and immediately feeling free of all stress, tension, anxiety or any other bothersome feelings or negative energy. Breathe slowly and deeply, and just let it all go. Spend some time really feeling into what that walk would be like. Exploring the Space Where You AreNow, bring that relaxation back into the room you're in, and close your eyes. Once they are closed, notice your body breathing. Just notice it. If thoughts come to you, imagine them floating right on by you. And then go back to your breathing. Next, I want you to listen to the sounds around you. Coming from anywhere in the room you're in. Now imagine the space that the sounds are in. And hone in on the space around you. See if you feel at all connected to it. Stay as you are for a minute or so and notice what you notice about what you feel. Be the observer for a moment, as you tune in. What Did You Experience?This experiment blended guidance from Kyle Cease and a mindfulness exercise I found in that article I mentioned. The article is about effortless mindfulness and I highly recommend that you read it and try that exercise. You can find it here - mindfulness article. I tried both suggestions separately. In Kyle's exercise, you're just noticing what you feel. And after really getting quiet and still, I felt love in the space around me. And a deeper connection than I usually feel. When I did the mindfulness exercise, and got to the part where the awareness notices the one who is aware, I felt like I was lifting up and going into the space, and even becoming the space. I felt like I was unembodied. And I had this sense that I was so much more than I think I am. I'd love to know what your experience was like with either exercise. See you next time! Love, Jeanine
10 Comments
I love the feeling when walking in nature, the past few days when we went to the mountains was so refreshing. I seem to block everything out and just enjoy what I'm looking at. I also do the first meditation at bedtime where when I close my eyes I'm back in the woods, I can hear the stream flowing and leaves rustling. Before I know it, I'm fast asleep. Being out in the nature is so refreshing and relaxing.
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10/27/2023 08:09:27 pm
That sounds so wonderful, Martha! Good for you for making good use of those nature memories.
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10/27/2023 01:53:08 pm
I love walking by the ocean more than the forest, so that's what brings me into that peaceful state. But you know, your post reminds me of my first ever mindfulness/meditation teacher, she gave us this exercise where when we were walking we were supposed to stay super focused on what we could notice around us. I still remember how hard it was to focus on what was right in front of me instead of getting lost in my thoughts!
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10/27/2023 08:10:52 pm
You know, I am exactly the same! I much prefer the ocean. but at the moment, it's trees I see all around me, so that's usually what I think of first.
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10/27/2023 08:11:58 pm
Oh, I am so landlocked - you guys are making me miss the water!! I am the same, but I am surrounded by trees, so if I want nature, that's what's available. And I do also love trees.
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10/27/2023 04:04:13 pm
I love to walk/run in the early morning when no one is around. I walk the road (we have one road in/out on the peninsula) then walk the beach back. I breathe in for 4 breaths and out for 4 breaths and when running this becomes very meditative. I notice what I notice and often have inspiring ideas in this state (of course!).
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10/27/2023 11:42:12 pm
Jeanine, thanks for sharing this today. I have done so many forms of mindfulness and meditation that I have actually forgotten a few. So it's lovely to review this one. I love natural environments, but I have a tendency to feel the forest when I want an environmental meditation. My mother used to take us to places with woods and creeks, footpaths, and abandoned little bridges, so I love to go there in my locational meditations. Thanks and blessings!
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10/28/2023 01:05:28 am
Oh, how wonderful! That sounds idyllic, Kebba. And I love that you incorporate something that is a special memory for you. Blessings to you, too.
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