Many cultures throughout history have thought of nature as an integral and necessary part of their inner lives. Our society, for the most part, has lost contact with the restorative, healing, and inspirational power of the great outdoors.
Make spending time with nature an important part of your spiritual pursuits. If walking is included in your daily regimen, make sure that in addition to the exercise and fresh air benefits of being outdoors, you also connect on an inner level with the beauty of the sun and the sky and the earth.
Start each walk with a deep, invigorating breath of fresh air, and an appreciation of the weather, no matter what it’s doing. Make a point of delighting in the trees and birds and flowers and plant life on your route. Let the glories of nature energize your body, heal your psyche, and uplift your spirit.
If you don’t exercise outdoors, at the very least make certain you spend a few moments each day appreciating and drawing energy from nature. Plan to leave your house five minutes early tomorrow morning. Before you get into your car or hop on the train, use that time to notice the patterns of clouds in the sky or the dew on the grass. Or, take five minutes before you come into the house when you return from work, and simply acknowledge the closing of another day.
When weather permits, have your lunch outdoors on a park bench, or on the grass under the shade of a tree, and use the time to quietly commune with nature. If the air is clean, do some deep breathing to energize your body and your mind (#96).
Before you go to bed at night, get into the habit of simply opening the front door and stepping outside for a few minutes. Encourage your spouse and your children to join you. You can all enjoy a deep breath of fresh air, and get lost in a silent, meditative look at the night sky.
If you live in the city and are surrounded by tall buildings and concrete, make a special point of taking advantage of nearby parks or nature walks. Be sure your schedule includes weekend trips to places where nature’s beauty has been allowed to flourish, and where you can use the power of the cosmos to get in touch with who you really are.