It just feels good to disconnect from the distractions of everyday life. Turn off the news! Trust me, you can live for a day without knowing what’s happening in the world. Your Facebook profile isn’t going anywhere. Quiet the distractions and listen to the sounds of nature – be in nature.
Life is full of complications. Sometimes you need to spend time in the great outdoors to really experience how simple life actually is. Camping isn’t glamorous and you probably won’t be the most popular person after not showering for a couple of days, but its worth it for the experience.
We camp to get close to nature; to get a little peace and quiet. Although, anyone who as ever camped knows that nature is not quiet. I just love waking up in the morning to the sounds of the birds chirping, or sitting around a campfire listening to the evening song of the cicadas. I find it calming. Nature is where I find my Zen. sitting in front of a roaring fire is one of the most meditative activities. As the fire dances in the wind you become entranced in the flickering light. The smell of embers and the smokiness in the air relaxes any tension you may have.
If you are lucky to find a stream or creek to set up camp next to, you’ve found the perfect place to meditate. You’ll sleep like a baby listening to the water trickle all night. Do be careful of rising water in case of rain and watch for wild animals, they tend to stay close to water sources. Never bring food into your tent, as its a sure-fire way to have an unwelcome guest pop by for a visit. It won’t be a pleasant one, and you don’t want a sneaky raccoon or hungry bear to disturb your time to reflect.
Meditation anywhere is a good idea, especially in nature. Here are my meditation tips for having the most Zen experience while in nature.
- Bring a yoga mat with me so when I find the perfect spot I can unroll and unwind. A towel will work fine also.
- Find a quiet place alone. Campgrounds can be a bit noisy, but just take a short hike in either direction and you’ll find a quiet place.
- Close your eyes and imagine the space around your body.
- Clear you mind of all worry, stress, and negativity.
- Take deep long breaths in and out. Cycle through the breaths 4 -5 times.
- Remember it is okay for your mind to wander but try to bring yourself to the present moment. Listen to the sounds around you. Leg go of overthinking and focus your thoughts on one specific thing in nature. It can be an image, a sound, or smell. Whatever you can focus on to remind yourself that you are here in this moment.
Meditation can be 5 minutes, or it can be an hour. It’s up to you how deep you become encapsulated in the moment. Don’t try to control it or force it. Just be still and take it in.
Love,
Nature Girl
