blue oak tree, pilot hill california | photo credit: kim nellans
I have long felt the positive effect nature has on my soul. I’ve experienced this while DOING in nature through backpacking, hiking, skiing, water sports, and gardening. But, it wasn’t until I started BEING in nature, that I found the real teachings of our natural world.
To find the monthly open labyrinth hours, go to Events.
awake in the wild nature retreat | photo credit: kim nellans
Florence Williams documented the science behind being outside and around nature in her book, The Nature Fix. In it she distills the science to the following mantra.
“Go outside, often, sometimes in wild places. Bring friends or not. Breathe.”
When possible, spend time outside every day finding some piece of nature. This may be a small park in a city during the week and a walk in the forest on weekends. Use what’s available to you.
Go for a walk.
Sit on your porch.
Walk in the grass.
Listen to the sounds. That may be the birds, the rustle of leaves, or the sound silence as snow falls.
Feel the temperature and movement of air on the skin.
Smell the flowers or cold air of winter.
Books That Help Us Connect To Nature
Coleman, Mark. (2006) Awake In The Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery
Mann, Heather Lyn (2016) Ocean of Insight: A Sailor's Voyage from Despair to Hope
Swanson, John L. (2001) Communing with Nature: A guidebook for enhancing your relationship with the earth.
Williams, Florence (2017) The Nature Fix: Why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative.
Wohlleben, P. (2015) The Hidden Life of Trees. What they feel, How they communicate.
