River Meditation

Mar 30

Lately, I like to start my day in nature. I've been going out on hikes for a couple of weeks but it wasn't until today that I took a break from photographing nature to finally relishing in it.

I kept my eye out for different perspectives so my blog could somehow showcase its serenity in its entirety. I didn’t want to miss the landscape or sky, close-ups of plants and rocks, or the occasional tiny creature.

I was so used to running around "capturing" my experience that I often moved on without really taking a moment to live in it.

As I walked, my pace mimicked the speedy roadway I took to get there. Without realizing it, I was in a hurry in a peaceful environement.

I paused and followed my ears down a side path to a nearby creek and here, without a trail to conquer, I didn't feel rushed.

Along this river, I thought I would just take a few nice photos and continue back on the trail but the noise of the rushing river drowned out distractions and created a safe space for me to close my eyes and engage in a few deep breaths.

My shoulders relaxed, feelings of worry lifted, and the air felt pure through my nostrils. My lungs expanded to take it all in and release a sigh, slow and smooth. Why does a sigh feel so soothing?

The river's current had pushed shades of purple and pink rocks together in a pile and this inspired me to add to the collection.

This is my kind of fun. When I'm on a beach vacation with my family, I like to walk around and gather shells of similar colors. The focus relaxes me, my mind clears, and I feel like I'm on an art-related mission. Then I like to arrange them like flagstone paths in the sand. Collecting purple and pink rocks gave me that same feeling of joy.

At first, I would arrange them nicely to be more photogenic but after a while, it felt better to just add more rocks radially than worry about them fitting together.

How silly that these little worries went through my head for no reason. Activities like this help me realize that no one is making sure I hang out in nature the right way. I am simply relaxing and easing my active mind until I get into a flow. It's much more beneficial for me to actually unplug when I'm in nature.

After I was satisfied with the tactile play of collecting, washing, and arranging rocks, I gazed at what I put together.

It eases my mind to look at one swash of color in a busy environment. When I first arrived at the river, I tried to take in all the details which didn’t help me feel relaxed. But with this pile of rocks in shades of reds, pinks, and purples, my eyes enjoyed the nuances, textures, shades, and shapes of the jagged chunks.

If collecting was the recreational part then gazing at the pile was the meditational part.

After an hour or two, I walked away from the roaring river feeling emotionally cleansed and relaxed. I felt it in my shoulders, the way I walked, and the lightness in my body.

Anxieties about my to-do list, what to eat, and what route I should take home weren't hovering over my head. I had a sense that when I needed to put my attention to those things, I was perfectly capable of accomplishing them.

Meditation can come in many forms, there are ancient techniques, modern versions, some with movement, and some involving other senses, objects, or places.

Sometimes I refrain from practicing meditation altogether because closing my eyes can feel foreign but I don't have to close my eyes to feel its benefits.

Through many outings in nature, I've found a way of meditating that is multisensory, complementary, and suits the way my brain is wired.