PROMPTS & PRACTICES | GO OUT IN NATURE

Frequently, place yourself in nature away from man-made structures and the environment to soak and overwhelm your senses in nature. Speaking of ocular sense, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.” Learn to hear the sound of the wind. Learn to smell nature that is familiar as well as unfamiliar to you.

There is an inherent existential union with nature, as humans and creation share the Creator and the Nurturer. If we slow down enough and throw ourselves to nature in regular intentionality, we will begin to discover union and enjoy communion with nature, which in turn will deepen our communion with God.

What nature gifts us with is the abundance of sacred symbols and images that are constantly changing. The symbols and images speak intelligibly to our soul, while logical and rational reasons tend to dry out our soul. As co-creations of God, we discover in nature deep relatability and parallels in which our soul finds haven, often inexplicably. The fact that it cannot be explained does not mean it is not true or real. Awe, wonder, befuddlement, and wildness are all the languages of nature which profoundly touch something deep and cause resonance in our soul.

Practices

• Discover a hiking trail or two that are usually not crowded or a walking path around your neighborhood that is surrounded by nature

• Pick a sitting spot where you get to watch changes in nature both large and small over time

• Gaze into the sky and feed your eyes multiple times throughout the day