Future historians may well be amazed by our distorted sense of proportion.

~Rachel Carson

Gary Sharlow Photography

The Pillars of our Programs

We strive to help people connect deeply with the awe and wonder of the natural world. The hope is that this centering principle of appreciation will drive us as a connected and caring community towards stewardship for the planet and its many facets that support life on Earth. Through a profound sense of awe, wonder, and love for the natural world comes a sense of purpose – to appreciate all of the Earth’s life-supporting elements.

Contemplation

Spending time, without all our modern-day distractions, immersed in the natural world with a quiet and attentive mindset can lead one to recognize their deep sense of connection to nature and their place in the world. Nature provides the opportunity to step away from it all and quiet the mind. When we are truly present with our thoughts, insights about our lives will rise up and become clear. It’s our job to pay attention, learn and respond to what is revealed to us through contemplative practices.

Connection

When we stop to contemplate our place in the world, we come to realize that all aspects of life on Earth are connected. When we drink water, we drink clouds, rain, rivers, and oceans. When we eat a meal, we take in the sun, soil, and fruits of the Earth. When one stops to contemplate the elements of their own body, they will come to recognize they are made of this Earth and all of its wonderful elements. All beings on Earth are of the Earth. We are all connected by the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land that provides us with the basic necessities of life.

Appreciation

Nature Meditations strives to help people appreciate the inner and outer landscapes of our lives. When practicing mindfulness meditation in nature, we have an opportunity to quiet our inner landscape and develop a deep appreciation for the causes and conditions that have contributed to making each one of us who we are in this moment. When nature serves as our teacher, we can develop a profound appreciation for nature itself. Our programs are designed to help you develop an appreciation for your own inner experiences as well as your connection to the natural world all around you.

Conservatation

We protect that which we love. The IUCN developed a campaign years ago based on the concept of communicating love, not loss. Social psychology research showed that talking about extinction, crisis, and climate destruction was a losing battle for trying to motivate people to act. The research showed that the single greatest motivator to action on behalf of the natural world is awe. When we feel a deep sense of awe and wonder, we are motivated to act – to protect that which we love. By focusing our efforts on developing a love of nature, we have the greatest opportunity to be stewards of the natural world. At Nature Meditations, we are focused on mindfulness and art as a way to develop a deep sense of awe and wonder for the natural world and our place in the web of life.