Contemplation
Photo Credit: Thomas Bormans
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” ~ Rachel Carson
I’ve been writing about mindfulness practices this October, and so far I’ve covered meditation, yoga, gratitude and journaling. Today in my final musings post on this topic, I’m writing about how sensory experiences in nature can provide a pathway towards expanding consciousness. As with the other four practices, the transformation from an action to awareness happens when our focus shifts from thoughts to perceptions and when we make it part of our daily routine.
If I walk down by the Assiniboine river, surrounded by nature, but replay old stories from the past, compose to-do lists, and stress about the future in my mind the whole time, I won’t receive the contemplative benefits. Similarly, if I only venture out a few times a year, or maybe even once a month, even if I’m totally present and engaged, it isn’t a practice. But when I make a commitment to step outside into nature, even if it’s just my own backyard, every day, and if while I am there I focus my attention completely on seeing, hearing, smelling and touching the trees, the grass, the birds, the squirrels, and the wind, I am creating a mindfulness practice.
It sounds easy, but trust me, it isn’t. I’ve been following all of the practices I’ve been writing about this month for years, and still, it is so easy for my mind to wander. It takes extreme focus to ward off the constant stream of thoughts. Sometimes I can only quiet my mind for a few seconds, but even at my best, I find complete stillness lasts for mere minutes. It depends on what is happening in my life circumstances, on how busy I am, and whether I’ve made time to process emotions as they arise in each moment. Our outer world and inner sanctuaries are reflections of one another, so it’s important to be disciplined in our thoughts and our actions alike.
When I was away, on the road for fifty days, it was impossible to stick with my healthy routine in the way I would at home. I adapted the best I could, while staying open to the gifts that being out of my comfort zone brought, in a position to strengthen family relationship and benefit from new experiences. I didn’t engage in my mindfulness practices as often, but I didn’t abandon them completely either. I carved out space to practice yoga a few times, fit in a few walks (until my foot and hip gave out) and wrote in my journal almost every day. By the end of my journey, I was physically exhausted, but my emotional and spiritual cups were brimming over.
Now that I’m back in my routine, my body is slowly recovering. I started physiotherapy last week and I’ve been diligent about following through with my exercises every day. I’m back into writing my novel, and feeling grateful to discover my creativity well is still full. I’m reconnecting with family here and appreciating being in my own space. But I miss my family in Brazil. My grandson seems to grow and change with each passing day. I miss my family in Ontario, my daughter about to deliver a baby any day now, her partner, and my dear friend.
There are so many great resources out there for you to explore if the idea of expanding your consciousness through sensory experiences in nature appeals to you. Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer gets a 4.7 rating out of 22,321 on Amazon. An indigenous woman and botanist, Robin encourages readers to awaken to the wider ecological consciousness. Conscious Nature: The Art and Neuroscience of Meditating in Nature by Josh Lane is the winner of the 2020 Nautilus Book Award and has the capacity to connect people to a joyful state of mind.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that life unfolds as it will, to accept what is while striving to be your best. Every decision and action has a trade-off, a positive and a negative, and the trick is to find the balance. There is no one right answer that fits everyone, and even as individuals, we are constantly changing and adapting to the world around us. I hope, dear reader, that wherever you are on your journey, my musings encourage you to contemplate on what matters to you, where you want to go, and how you want to get there.
COMING UP…
Books & Projects:
· All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.
· I am pursuing representation from a traditional publisher for my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.
Reviews & Interviews:
· You can read, listen, or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.
Events:
· There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.
YouTube Channel:
· Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.
· Watch The Holding trailer.
· Watch The Healing trailer.