Nature

The Powerful Impact of NATURE

Why Nature is Important for the Mind and Well Being

Nature as Sanctuary: How it was my Best ICU Ward

Finding Special Spots in Nature in Unexpected Places

Be Safe Meditating in Nature

The Importance and Power of Awe and Wonder -

Helpful for living with: Anxiety, PTSD, Grief/Loss, Depression & Suicidal Ideation

Try connecting with this feeling for even just a couple minutes a day and NOTICE the difference. The key is you have to FEEL the Awe even if remembering it. Try looking at a picture which evokes this feeling. If you cannot access the feeling, don't blame yourself... it is likely your depression. Try exploring other forms or sources of awe, both in subject and in method of intake, such as: sound, taste or sensation. If you find you cannot access it at all talk with your therapist and consider medication if you aren't currently, and if you have been medication resistant ask about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Meditation for Connection with Awe and Wonder

Awe is beneficial for everyone, especially when dealing with anything difficult. Do this often - even for a couple minutes when you are stressed/overwhelmed/hurting. This meditation guides you through remembering with all of your senses an experience of being in a place where you FELT AWE

Music: Village Love Story by Buddha’s Flute on YouTube

Working with NATURE

Other Ways to Access Nature: Especially When You Can't Get There

Working with Memory: The Benefit and the Challenge

Meditations for Connecting with Nature

Being the Tree AND the Forest

Open Heart: Being the Tree and the Forest

This meditation uses imagery of being both the single rooted tree AND the entire forest to Open the Heart and increase connection

Music: Morning Flute Music - New Day by Buddha’s Flute on YouTube

Quiet Mind: Being the Tree & the Forest

This meditation connects you with being like a tree and then slowly to the feeling of being the entire, vast and expansive forest

Music: Relaxing Flute Falling Leaves by Buddha’s Lounge on YouTube

Being the Mindful Mountain

This meditation anchors you in your strong, immoveable center and allows you to rest in strength as you observe all thought, feeling and sensation that arises

Music: Bamboo Garden by Buddha’s Flute

Breathing the Tree of Life

This focus meditation uses imagery of the tree of life; drawing energy up from your roots and down from your limbs and leaves, allowing them to mingle, grow and connect you with the vitality of life.

Music: Golden Blossom by Buddha’s Lounge on YouTube

Ouroboros for Letting Go & Shedding the Past

** Caution: This Meditation is not suitable for people living with, or experiencing, suicidal ideation **

Using imagery of Ouroboros, this meditation supports you through times of great change, growth and/or transformation. It assists you through your process of, and your acceptance of, letting go and shedding the past - moving you forward into this new life phase.

Music: Peaceful Garden by Buddha’s Lounge on YouTube

The Cave of Safety Meditation

The system responds and can return to calm when you send it messages of safety. This meditation is helpful for that, or whenever you need a barrier to the world, a deep sense of safety, unconditional love and support, or when you are doing difficult work. Practicing often can help restore a sense of safety.

Music: Golden Blossom - Tranquil Flute by Buddha’s Lounge on YouTube

Working with Safety

Working to Know Thyself

Working with Connection

The Importance of Symbols and Imagery

Symbols and Imagery Matter

If you don't connect with a symbol or imagery, this hinders your ability to get the full benefit of the meditation.

When we use imagery or symbols in meditation or any form of processing/reflection, if we don't connect with the imagery. - I mean REALLY connect - the desired outcome is generally lacking. For the imagery around the Cave of Safety Meditation (below) for example, if you feel claustrophobic you won't like to use imagery of going deep into the earth, this will in fact hinder any of the benefit of increasing the feeling of safety because your amygdala will be activated and in distress. BE SURE to always give yourself permission to alter any imagery or symbols in any meditation you are working with and use the ones you DO connect with.

The key is you MUST feel it resonate in your heart, gut - your very being! If you don't feel it or connect with it then choose a different image or symbol to work with. You have to FEEL it for it to be helpful/beneficial in its effect.