Why Meditating in Nature?
Find yourself and re-connect you to your senses.
Nothing supports the opening of the heart and mind like the beauty, tranquillity and silence of the natural world. It comes as no surprise to find that this is why so many monasteries and centres for meditation have found for millennia that the human potential to awaken lies with the temple of nature, located within the depths of forests and jungles.
These conditions enhance a state of meditative silence where those participating comment on how the stillness brings about a quiet mind, experiencing a deep presence in the body and a encouraged contemplation of the mystery that life presents.
When we are in nature, we bring a receptive presence to the natural world. It comes alive — and so do we. We no longer look at nature as an inert or pretty object, but as a living and breathing world of mystery and sensitivity, a realm of wisdom and learning that is always whispering its teachings to us.
We can be more wakeful and alert and, at the same time, open, relaxed, and spacious and surrounded by the elements. We start with hearing—being present to the coming and going of sounds (like birdsong, the wind, or waves) but without getting lost in thinking about the source of the sound. Next we include the sense of touch— feeling the earth under our feet, the caress of the breeze on our skin, the prickliness of dry grasses, the tickle of bugs and flies.
Unlike our mind, our body and senses are always in the present. Being present in nature makes it much easier for us to inhabit our body and the realm of the senses. When we step outdoors, our skin receptors enliven as we feel subtleties of temperature and breeze. Our hearing becomes sharper as we listen to nuances of birdsong, silence, and the rustling of leaves in a forest. Most of all, our eyes become captivated by the beauty, texture, and sheer diversity of colour, shape, and form.
Nature nourishes the soul, and the more present we can be to it, the deeper we can drink from her well and, refreshed, bring positive change into the world.
What is Yoga?
The benefits of yoga provide both instant gratification and lasting transformation. In the fitness world, both are extremely important. Too much time with too few results can be incredibly discouraging, and monotonous routines week after week can lead to stagnation. Yoga can change your physical and mental capacity quickly, while preparing the mind and body for long-term health.
Yoga is not just about working out, it’s about a healthy lifestyle. The practice of yoga allows students to find stillness in a world consumed with chaos. Peace and tranquility achieved through focused training appeals to everyone. Yoga’s deep breathing and meditation practices help foster an inner shift from to-do lists, kids and spouse’s needs, financial concerns, and relationship struggles to something a little bit bigger than the issues you face. Yoga helps relieve stress and declutters the mind, helping you to become more focused.
Yoga’s focus on strength training and flexibility is an incredible benefit to your body. The postures are meant to strengthen your body from the inside out, so you don’t just look good, you feel good, too. Each of the yoga poses is built to reinforce the muscles around the spine, the very center of your body, which is the core from which everything else operates. When the core is working properly, posture is improved, thus alleviating back, shoulder, and neck pain.
The digestive system gets back on track when the stretching in yoga is coupled with a healthy, organic diet, which can relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and acid reflux. Another one of the benefits of yoga is that stretching and holding postures also causes muscles to lengthen, which gives the body a longer, leaner look.
Being in a wonderful place in nature can set the stage for a quiet mind. Spending time in nature has healing and restorative power. Being outdoors increases well-being, helps alleviate stress and anxiety, promotes creativity, assists with recovery from mental fatigue, helps restore attention, boosts the brain’s ability to think, and engages the senses.
Regular yoga or meditation practice is a very important part of life, it can lead in some amazing results, such as calmness and happiness.