Making the natural world part of our practice

Dear Friends,

I am leaving for a three week trip to Michigan to visit my extended family and enjoy some time on the lake. 

As I continue to practice and study how to live in the here and now, I realize over and over again how important the natural world is to our practice. It helps us return to this moment, this wonderful moment.

In a recent mindfulness class, someone asked, Is there anything other than the natural world that can bring us back to the conditions for happiness we already have? My follow up question was, Is there anything outside of the natural world? 

All that to say that I hope you find time this summer to enjoy a place of natural beauty and that it returns you to your breath and your steps, and grounds you in awe for this planet. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll likely enjoy some pictures of the Lake Michigan dunes and beaches. 

As Thich Nhat Hanh has said, 

“The miracle is not to walk on water, the miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.”