Walking Meditation: The Awareness of Nature
My favorite form of meditation is to go out in nature and experience it. For me, a walking meditation by driving through a forest, hiking a trail or climbing a mountain is guaranteed to put my psyche on "purr".
I find that as I connect with the beauty of the natural world, there is no need to think, to analyze or to judge. I can simply look at the sky or trees, smell the pine or just the freshness of the wind, and I can know that I'm part of the vast miracle of creation.
A perspective that I've gained from such experiences is a certain release from what I've come to think of as "species arrogance". This is a condition wherein there's an automatic assumption that the human race is superior to nature. An aspect of this which tends to make me unpopular in some ecological circles, is that when some people moan about what humankind has done to the earth, I've been known to giggle (Yes, I'm a closet giggler. Get over it.)
I'm really not unsympathetic to the plight of extinct species or the (now defunct) theory of the greenhouse effect. What amuses me is the assumption that we as human beings are somehow separate from the wholeness of nature. As if we are able to step outside of something far larger than we are, that we are an integral part of. I've observed that many people who appear to have the greatest respect for nature seem to forget that we are part of it. Eloquent speeches may be made celebrating the wonderful cycles and patterns of nature, it's ability to self-heal, and even it's apparent sentience. Aren't you and I part of these cycles and patterns?
We are also impelled through our own instincts and intuitions to align with the larger forces of nature. For example, who among us has not had to wrestle with the power of our own hormonal urges at some point? My sense is that there are far larger forces at work in life which we will rarely fight, but instead, will unconsciously support and defend. The urge towards survival is one of these.
When we're willing to let go of our species arrogance and experience the fact that we are part of this massive entity called life, Gaia, nature, God, or whatever you wish to call it, the meditative experience becomes profound. At this point we can just "be" and allow ourselves to participate in the greater harmony of life, beauty and connection while enjoying a walking meditation in nature.
Copyright © 2001-2007 HeartCore Corporation | Massage Therapy Schools
HeartCore Corporation
26828 Maple Valley Hwy, PMB 278
Maple Valley, Washington 98038, USA
Phone & Fax: 206-374-2483
Contact Us | Article Submission Guidelines | Receive Your Free HeartCore Ezine