Nature Meditation

One of the few fond memories I have during my two years of treatment happened during my most difficult of days. I could barely walk and the heat of the day felt like an iron blanket. I was exhausted, scared and generally felt like crap. When my husband came home he found me curled up in his lounge chair. Realizing what a terrible day I must have had, he insisted we get out of the house. All I wanted to do was go swimming but I was afraid I couldn’t make it. He suggested we go to a nearby lake and helped me put on my bathing suit. That evening, he unknowingly led me on my first nature meditation.

An unintended meditation

Wearing my black spaghetti strap A-line maxi dress over my bathing suit, Will helped me into his truck. Too feeble to walk on my own, he held my hand and led me across the rocks and into the water. I was afraid of how my body might react to the drastic change in temperature as I slowly lowered myself into the frigid water. In those days, any step outside the confines of our condo felt scary. I never knew what my body would do. But, I can tell you it was sensory bliss.

At the time I didn’t realize I was experiencing a nature meditation but it was a moment that rejuvenated my soul. I can still see the sun reflecting on the water. A weight lifts from my soul when I remember how refreshing the water felt. I was filled with joy as the cool water lapped at my ankles. With my husbands hand firmly planted in mine, I relaxed in a way I didn’t know was possible at the time. That night gave me a new spark that enabled me to keep fighting. It will forever resonate in my soul.

My therapist was the first to suggest that I try nature meditation. She had recently diagnosed me with chronic PTSD. My mind and body were cowering in fear from life. This type of meditation reminded me that the world was beautiful. It reminded me that I needn’t be afraid. Most importantly, it relaxed my mind and eased my panic attacks. Today, I’d like to share with you my most recent nature meditation. It was a particularly lovely morning that left me feeling whole again after a rough week.

My nature meditation

As I slide my board into the cool water of my favorite lake, the sun glints off its shiny red body. I slice into the water with my paddle and feel the tension of the past week begin to evaporate. I close my eyes for a moment, take a deep breath and set forth on my nature meditation.

Touch

A gentle breeze passes over my skin, causing the hair on my forearms to bristle. I feel the warm rays glistening through the wispy clouds above. The muscles in my arms flex then release with each stroke of my paddle. My core and my legs tighten in response, providing me balance and control. My feet are massaged by the crisscross pattern of rubber that lines my board. I take a moment to breathe all of this in and send out a message of gratitude. It wasn’t that long ago that all I could do was imagine these sensations from the confines of my couch. Hoping that someday I would be strong enough again to perform this dance on the water.

Sight

Continuing to glide across the calm waters, I take notice of the tiny crescent ripples created by my propulsion forward and the gentle breeze licking the surface of the lake. I’m mesmerized by the simplicity of it. Eventually, I allow my eyes to dive below the surface and I’m welcomed by an underwater world of grass forests. Undulating smoothly from the depths below I imagine another realm of life existing right under my board. With a girlish smile, I picture a knight with a seahorse as his trusty steed, protecting his submerged kingdom. I see a beautiful water nymph lounging on a leaf swaying back and forth in the current. She is momentarily disturbed by the flutter of a group of pixies weaving in and out of their grassy aquatic domain. Just then, I hear a hoot owl to my right and I’m awakened from my revelry.

Sound

I tear my eyes away from the world beneath me and take in the surroundings of my own realm. Once again I hear the hoot, hoot, hooooo of an owl and quietly ask it, “Why aren’t you asleep little owl?” I search the trees of the nearby island as I pass by, hoping for a glimpse of this diurnal owl. Instead, my attention is diverted by a looming shape overhead. I glance up to see a majestic bald eagle soaring just over my head. I stop paddling and stare at its magnificence. In that moment, I feel a surge of my connection to nature.

Connection to your surroundings

As I watch the bald eagle pass overhead I send my energy down into my feet, through my paddle board, into the water and further still until I touch earth. At the same time I send energy out my arms and head, reaching in all directions. Connected through love and energy, I know that I’m a part of the universe.

I smile and feel the warm embrace of the air as it tickles my cheek. The songs of different bird species fill my ears with joy. I take a deep breath and sate my lungs with the sweet aroma of fresh water and earth mixing together. Opening my eyes, I absorb the colors of nature. The cornflower blue sky dotted with white clouds. My shiny red board contrasted against the blues and greens of the water. A small tawny brown bird with a sunflower yellow stripe on its tail. The sensory experience leaves me feeling grounded and rejuvenated.

You can do nature meditations anywhere

Using nature to calm your inner self can be done anywhere. If you’re unable to get outside, don’t fret. Try opening the window in your bedroom or going for a drive with a friend or loved one. When I was in my sickest of days my husband would randomly insist we go for drives through the country. I would stare out the window at the passing forest and go through the same exercise. Noticing colors, smells and the wind in my face. It was a pleasant reminder me that I was still alive. These small outings encouraged me to keep fighting. Momentarily, it eased my suffering.

In previous posts I have written about using nature meditation as a way to calm your mind and body. I have found it to be hugely beneficial. Whether to release tension from fear, anxiety, exhaustion (mental and/or physical) or anger, focusing on your surroundings is a great tool to accomplish a level of peace. And, it takes no training. All you have to do is employ your senses and enjoy nature on a deeper level.  I encourage you to try it and share your inner adventure.