Meditating in Nature

Meditating in Nature

When we meditate in nature, we bring a receptive presence to the natural world. It comes alive—and so do we.

                                                 Mark Coleman

During Summer I often meditate outside. It’s a completely different experience than doing it inside, much more connected to the senses. I feel the warm sun on my face and the light breeze caress my neck, hear the buzzing of bumble bees, perhaps even smell a scent of flowers… Descending the attention from the thinking activities in my head to feeling fully present in my body comes so naturally.

If you don’t practice sitting meditation, try walking meditation through a park or forest now that temperatures are pleasant. It’s the same principle: you simply move (slowly) through nature instead of sitting still in it. 

Just as Mark Coleman, I think that meditating in nature makes both our natural surroundings and ourselves come alive. I feel particularly present and full of life and there’s a different glow in the air around me afterwards J. 

I Am What I Choose to Become

I Am What I Choose to Become

I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.

C.G. Jung

Our history forms us, but the amazing thing about human beings is that we have a free will. We can choose whom to be.

Lots of things happen during a lifetime, and sometimes they almost drown us.  Most of these incidents, however, only have power over us if we give it to them. Let go of their burden and live a lighter life.

Every morning we have a new chance to put things on the right track. Every morning we can start off in a new direction, closer to our deepest Self. So don’t beat yourself up if you’ve done something you regret. Set it right and start anew, step by step. Choose to become who you want to be.

Your Inner Voice

AA wrote: 
Thanks for your continued insights!

Your Inner Voice

I have been and still am a seeker, but I have ceased to question stars and books; I have begun to listen to the teaching my blood whispers to me.
             Hermann Hesse: Demian

As a seeker I am constantly looking for personal development and spiritual growth. People might say I have sacrificed working for the common good for my own personal journey when I chose to follow my heart,  left my work and moved up in the mountains. That may be true, but I felt that I had no other choice than to leave the city and explore nature and writing. When your inner voice starts calling out, again and again, you just have to follow. 

It's not that I advocate any kind of egotism, but  the movements in our society that make us deaf and blind to our inner selves have to be counteracted upon. I find it unacceptable that human intuition and "true living" are lost in a constant quest for economic success and entertainment.

As a seeker I have looked for answers in "stars and books" and for a long time they led me on. With the years passing, however, I listen inwards more than outwards. Slowing down, spending time in nature, meditating and relaxing helps me to keep an open ear to what Hesse called "the teaching my blood whispers to me". When and how do you feel the strongest connection to your inner voice?

Asking for What You Want

Asking for What You Want

Asking for what you want from your beloved is one of the conditions of getting loved. If you don’t ask and she’s not a mind reader, the chances of getting what you want are infinitesimal.
Asking of course requires knowing what you want so that you can ask. And knowing what you want also includes being aware of what you don’t want – the kinds of behaviours that hurt, irritate, or offend you. Telling your sweetheart what pleases you and what doesn’t is precisely the communication that can strengthen the bonds of your relationship.
So take a risk today by telling the person you love exactly what you want and don’t want. And return the favour by asking him, “What would you like me to give you?” and, perhaps even more important, “What would you like me to refrain from doing around you?”

                                                 Daphne Rose Kingma

In human relationships communication is key, and not only between lovers. This week ask a beloved person for what you want (or don’t want), and return the favour. Openness does not always come easy, but it creates trust and deepens our love and care for each other.

Keep in the Sunlight

AA wrote: Das Thema mit den Entlassungen in der Firma beschäftigt mich schon, aber Panik habe ich nicht. Mir helfen in solchen Situationen auch immer deine Newsletter, in diesem Fall insbesondere dieser!

Keep in the Sunlight

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.

Benjamin Franklin

When we are worried about something it’s almost impossible not to ruminate on it. We try to think of all possible outcomes to our “problem”, one worse than the other, as if they could be avoided just by being thought of.

We have to remind ourselves again and again how meaningless such behavior is. How often haven’t we, in the end, worried for nothing? Worrying only makes us tense and stressed out – and everybody knows how bad that is for our general wellbeing! 

The German author and poet Wilhelm Busch so rightly said “Firstly things happen in a different way, and secondly than you think” (“Estens kommt es anders, und zweitens als man denkt”).

Next time you catch yourself anticipating trouble remember these wise words. Drop your worries, relax, and keep in the sunlight. It always shines on you, even on a cloudy day. As for the rain that you fear, it may not even fall.