This past weekend, I was in college learning various theoretical approaches to psychotherapy. More specifically, we were learning about the importance of embodiment and all about the benefits of slowing things down so that we might notice what is happening within our internal world. Now, I don’t want to skim over the worth of noticing our internal weather, but slowing things down also helps us to notice what is happening around us. I was reminded of this on one of my walks in the local wood.
As you know, I am challenging myself (and you!) to start increasing time spent in nature, whether that be simply opening the window and letting some fresh air in or heading out into larger spaces. With this in mind and as we were learning about slowing things down, I decided to build in a few moments of stopping on my walk so that I might intentionally notice what was happening in and around me. The richness of my experience was inspiring.
Perhaps the first thing that I noticed was a felt sense of touching in with another world. Well, not a total other world, but one that is not dependent on the beds being made or the computer turned on. I could feel a quality of being away from working so very hard to have everything in check. It was restful. My shoulders were dropped and there was a quiet steadiness in my breath. And then something else happened. I started noticing things in my line of view that I hadn’t before.
I watched a lone squirrel crossing a field that lay adjacent to the woods. Every so often the squirrel would drop down into the long grass and move out of view, only to pop up and take in a few more meters before dropping down into hiding once again. It was comical and strategic at the same time. It made me think of all the ways that I do this in my own life- dropping down out of view for either rest or safety. Was I doing this now, I mused with a smile.
The second thing I noticed was the layer of bird song: the robins and the tits close to my ear, the jays and the wood pigeons a bit further afield and the rooks off in the distance. I was starting to get a real sense of the expanse of the system that I was moving through and wondered if these birds get caught up in and feel the limitations of their mind in the same way that I do. I started to feel my perspective shifting.
As I left the woods, I felt a skip in my step and a boost of energy. It was as if the brain fog from sitting in a classroom for three days had lifted. According to Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, the pair who developed the Attention Restoration Theory (ART), this is no surprise. Their theory suggest that nature replenishes and restores a mental deficit that comes from the fatigue inducing focused attention that the information society in which we live requires from us. Put simply, nature inspires what Kaplan (1995) calls a “soft” fascination which allows the brain to rest. It also helps to cultivate an effortless attention which can help us to be mindful in a way that really captures a quality of non-striving. When sitting on a cushion feels too much, nature can provide an easy access route into being present to our unfolding moments.
I didn’t have time to head out to the woods this morning. Instead, I opened the blinds and managed to catch a few moments of watching the clouds move across a warm, buttery sunrise. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was enough to provoke that same feeling of relaxation. The breath slowed to a quiet steady rhythm and a true quality of reverence and rest descended upon me. The muscles around my eyes released immediately and a feeling of being unconstrained arrived. If you are close to a window, I invite you to look out now and see what you can notice happening, specifically around your eyes. If there is bright, direct sunlight, perhaps look in the other direction.
It doesn’t take much but it does take an intention to remember to slow down and notice the details of this vast system of life that is happening within and all around us. If you’re interested in intentionally slowing down, touching in and maybe even finding a new way of rest, I have a few courses that are about to start up in the Sanctuary. Whether it is the Art of Rest or the Nature and Healing programme, I would love to see you there. If you would like something a little bit less of a commitment, why not join me this Tuesday morning at 10am Irish time for the Sanctuary’s online community meditation.
-Jane
Click below to listen to a meditation called In and Around
My Silent Place 
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