I regularly practice yoga in a studio. One of my instructors is offering a few special classes in the next few weeks in a sunflower field. I am interested, but hadn't booked anything yet...until I read your newsletter. Thanks for the encouragement! I'm looking forward to connecting with nature on Monday evening! 🌻
Always good to give something new a go, Stacey. I like practicing mindfulness of the different senses outdoors - it comes alive out there, compared to inside.
Thank you David…such delicious photographs! To me, the natural world has always been my happy place…🌲I wouldn’t live anywhere else…surrounded by age old pines and mountain glacier lakes provides me with the beauty I see in this world everyday with every breath and I am so grateful for my simple life filled with LOVE…I’ve named my home “The Place Beyond Seeking” because I am so fortunate to live in a very sacred place, Mt Shasta CA….the towns motto is “ Between Heaven and Earth” and I believe it’s the best of both because of its natural beauty, so much wildlife and space for Love.all around and such lovely people 💗 and an Abby with 12 resident monks , two who shop in my favorite health food store regularly and gardens and bee hives everywhere with fruit trees and berries and such natural abundance …it’s quiet at night ,open skies to see the moon and stars and the quiet whispers of bear, cougar and deer walking through the yard during different seasons. Heaven! Meditative Forest bathing for all! 🌲
I love just sitting in nature alone but I doubt I could close my eyes because it's all so beautiful!
Also, in the beginning of your post, I saw everyone sitting in the lotus position and was envious of such dexterity. I have gluteal ligament and knee issues and such a position exacerbates the situation. I was so relieved in further images, to see that participants were sitting on chairs.
Recently I was in hospital for major surgery and I used the bed controls to raise the back of the bed and meditated in situ. It worked quite well during a difficult time.
Good to hear of your improvising with the hospital bed controls, Prue, and I hope you are making a swift and full recovery. Some of the young ones at our Czech Republic retreat were yoga practitioners, but a straight back is the only requirement of a formal meditation session - whether sitting or lying. A chair is perfectly acceptable!
That is so timely. Today is the new moon. On the new & full moon evenings I renew NY precepts. This lovely post not only spurs outside tonight, but helps me to bask in the memories of our meditations in Zimbabwe with like-minded newfriends. The beautiful settings, sounds of nature and the fresh air. Also, learning to focus while bugs crawl on my face was amazing for the gift of concentration was an unexpected experience. Who knew!!!
So glad to hear this, Penelope! It is amazing how much we can stretch - in terms of concentration etc - when we are in a completely new context, often relieved of the burden of fairly low expectations we don't realise we carry. Subject of a new post, perhaps?!
Thank you, David, for the inspiration. Meditating in nature is a great way to spend time in nature. And thank you for the photos! This was very encouraging for me as I do not spend as much time in meditation as I should!
Thank you, David, for this inspiring piece and the beautiful photos. I was transported back to Zimbabwe for a delightful few moments, and enjoyed the memories of our daily meditations - and the cheeky vervet monkeys! So special……🙏🏻🪷🧘♀️
Lovely to hear from you, as always Jane! Yes it was kind of fun to be the object of those vervet monkey missiles. Mad monkey mind is tame by comparison!! Hope all is well with you home in France!
Thank you for the lovely pictures- in the absence of being able to get out, my understanding is that focusing on nature in pictures is also curative! Travel is dreamy but I’d like to add that we can also make a conscious effort to take in the view from one’s own window… I am so very privileged to look out on a beautifully green suburban neighborhood (in New Rochelle, NY - another sister city to the other La Rochelle!)
Quite right, Marcia. One of my lamas always suggests we begin any meditation session by imagining that we're in a beautiful garden, landscaped just the way we like it, filled with whatever trees, plants, flowers and animals we wish for .... there is an innate sense of 'ahhh' when we do this.
Dear David, I read your writings in books or online regularly, which I enjoy very much, your wisdom and your light touch in delving into the deep teachings of Buddhism.I meditate daily also. Thank you 🙏 for all you do for the enlightened teachings of your readers.
I live in U.K. and will be visiting Australia in early November ‘25 to January 26. And I am wondering if you would be having any ‘live’ gatherings or get-togethers in Australia in that time?
Hi David,
I regularly practice yoga in a studio. One of my instructors is offering a few special classes in the next few weeks in a sunflower field. I am interested, but hadn't booked anything yet...until I read your newsletter. Thanks for the encouragement! I'm looking forward to connecting with nature on Monday evening! 🌻
Warm regards,
Stacey
Always good to give something new a go, Stacey. I like practicing mindfulness of the different senses outdoors - it comes alive out there, compared to inside.
Thank you David…such delicious photographs! To me, the natural world has always been my happy place…🌲I wouldn’t live anywhere else…surrounded by age old pines and mountain glacier lakes provides me with the beauty I see in this world everyday with every breath and I am so grateful for my simple life filled with LOVE…I’ve named my home “The Place Beyond Seeking” because I am so fortunate to live in a very sacred place, Mt Shasta CA….the towns motto is “ Between Heaven and Earth” and I believe it’s the best of both because of its natural beauty, so much wildlife and space for Love.all around and such lovely people 💗 and an Abby with 12 resident monks , two who shop in my favorite health food store regularly and gardens and bee hives everywhere with fruit trees and berries and such natural abundance …it’s quiet at night ,open skies to see the moon and stars and the quiet whispers of bear, cougar and deer walking through the yard during different seasons. Heaven! Meditative Forest bathing for all! 🌲
Delicious photographs indeed, thank you Adrienne!
Really enjoyed this topic. Being in nature invites contemplation. A stream. A tree. An expanse. Good for the soul. 🏞️
So true, thank you L mc!
I love just sitting in nature alone but I doubt I could close my eyes because it's all so beautiful!
Also, in the beginning of your post, I saw everyone sitting in the lotus position and was envious of such dexterity. I have gluteal ligament and knee issues and such a position exacerbates the situation. I was so relieved in further images, to see that participants were sitting on chairs.
Recently I was in hospital for major surgery and I used the bed controls to raise the back of the bed and meditated in situ. It worked quite well during a difficult time.
Good to hear of your improvising with the hospital bed controls, Prue, and I hope you are making a swift and full recovery. Some of the young ones at our Czech Republic retreat were yoga practitioners, but a straight back is the only requirement of a formal meditation session - whether sitting or lying. A chair is perfectly acceptable!
No NY, my. That precious treasure, autocorrect.
Autocorrect is my Precious Treasure too!
That is so timely. Today is the new moon. On the new & full moon evenings I renew NY precepts. This lovely post not only spurs outside tonight, but helps me to bask in the memories of our meditations in Zimbabwe with like-minded newfriends. The beautiful settings, sounds of nature and the fresh air. Also, learning to focus while bugs crawl on my face was amazing for the gift of concentration was an unexpected experience. Who knew!!!
So glad to hear this, Penelope! It is amazing how much we can stretch - in terms of concentration etc - when we are in a completely new context, often relieved of the burden of fairly low expectations we don't realise we carry. Subject of a new post, perhaps?!
Thank you, David, for the inspiration. Meditating in nature is a great way to spend time in nature. And thank you for the photos! This was very encouraging for me as I do not spend as much time in meditation as I should!
So glad you feel inspired, Joyce!
Thank you for always thinking of different ways to inspire us. I appreciate your thoughtfulness
Lovely to hear from you, Billita!
Wow! So cool. I wonder how long you meditate together in a sitting? And how many times a day.
Depends on the group, venue, etc Richelle. Usually a couple of sessions a day with teaching and guided meditations.
Thank you, David, for this inspiring piece and the beautiful photos. I was transported back to Zimbabwe for a delightful few moments, and enjoyed the memories of our daily meditations - and the cheeky vervet monkeys! So special……🙏🏻🪷🧘♀️
Lovely to hear from you, as always Jane! Yes it was kind of fun to be the object of those vervet monkey missiles. Mad monkey mind is tame by comparison!! Hope all is well with you home in France!
Thanks David.
Pleasure Tom!
Thank you for the lovely pictures- in the absence of being able to get out, my understanding is that focusing on nature in pictures is also curative! Travel is dreamy but I’d like to add that we can also make a conscious effort to take in the view from one’s own window… I am so very privileged to look out on a beautifully green suburban neighborhood (in New Rochelle, NY - another sister city to the other La Rochelle!)
Quite right, Marcia. One of my lamas always suggests we begin any meditation session by imagining that we're in a beautiful garden, landscaped just the way we like it, filled with whatever trees, plants, flowers and animals we wish for .... there is an innate sense of 'ahhh' when we do this.
Thank you (again)!
What an inspiring post to go and meditate outside with other like minded people!!
Thank you.
My pleasure, thanks Mordy!
Dear David, I read your writings in books or online regularly, which I enjoy very much, your wisdom and your light touch in delving into the deep teachings of Buddhism.I meditate daily also. Thank you 🙏 for all you do for the enlightened teachings of your readers.
I live in U.K. and will be visiting Australia in early November ‘25 to January 26. And I am wondering if you would be having any ‘live’ gatherings or get-togethers in Australia in that time?
Thanks Lorraine x