For centuries, human potential and nature have been rediscovered by meditators. There are many benefits to meditating in nature – it’s a place where wisdom and perception come alive. Outdoor meditation activates our senses, making our practice more alert and awake. At the same time, the usual distractions seem far away and somehow less important. Many meditators find it easier to let go of their worries and electronic devices when they have such a satisfying alternative: mindful communion with nature.
In Asia, accomplished meditators of the past believed that isolation in nature was conducive to advanced mindfulness training. They retired to hermitages carved into the mountains or hidden among the jungle flora and spent some time in deep contemplation.
During nature meditation, the focus shifts from usual tasks and worries to one or more of the following: sights, sounds, smells, or even the taste or feel of nature. Although nature meditation is usually done outdoors, there are also simulated nature-themed visualizations that could be done indoors.
