Nature Is Our Nature
Interconnection Within and Without
Her form, a peaceful grove of fresh blossoms,
Pleasingly dappled with the soothing moonlight of compassion—
The sole restful tonic for those long exhausted—
I honor the miraculous wildwoods,
Which I see now as if for the first time.
Since I am broken-hearted here in the city of existence,
My mind sends these tidings its own way—
A story about resorting to the peaceful forest
For someone who will apply their heart to the Dharma path.
I see the truth that this life won’t last and is swiftly heading toward ruin,
That even this body which I’ve so lavishly cared for will be lost,
And I’ll have to head off alone to parts unknown.
So now, I’m off to the wildwoods.
—Longchen Rabjam, Song of the Enchanting Wildwoods, trans. Timothy Hinkle (2016)
In our increasingly digital and divisive world—the “city of existence”—many of us have lost touch with nature, both the wilderness of the outdoors and our own inner nature within. I don’t know about you, but despite all of the seeming connections through social media, I feel more disconnected now than ever before.
Healing Ourselves
In these tumultuous days, I feel exhausted and brokenhearted, and a “peaceful grove of fresh blossoms . . . dappled with the soothing moonlight of compassion” certainly sounds like a healing, restful tonic. It is through connecting with nature that I feel most energized and at ease. Being in the wilderness dissolves the projected boundaries between myself and the ecosystem I inhabit. When I can relax and let go, when I can cease clinging to myself as being independent and separate from the environment, I see that everything is alive with interconnection. There is no “me,” and there is no “out there.” There is only vibrant, spacious interdependence.
I’m privileged to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: the rugged coast of Maine. Walking among the jagged rocks strewn with seaweed and bleached shells and hiking in the pine and spruce forests scented with decomposing leaves and pungent resins soothe my anxiety about our complex world, lower my blood pressure, and provide glimpses of relaxation. I sojourn through the natural world, and it moves through me. We are intimately connected, with no borders or boundaries in sight.
Meditate Where You Are
While we could take Longchenpa’s advice literally and leave the busy city for the calmness of the wildwoods, he also invites us to stay where we are, relax the spinning of our thoughts, and let go of the constant distractions from without. He suggests that we turn our attention gently and diligently within and then rest in the open spaciousness of the true nature of our mind.
Going to the wildwoods is not escapist fantasy nor self-indulgent navel-gazing. Rather, honoring nature and calmly abiding in it—whether in your yard, a community garden, a local park, or the forest outside your city’s limits—is simply looking with curiosity into your own experience wherever your body may be. I find this process to be much easier when I am outdoors in the fresh air under an open sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. Where is your calming place?
What Is Happening in This Moment?
Longchenpa exhorts us to make our journey internal and personal. Not in the sense of feeling self-important or taking ourselves too seriously, but looking at our immediate experience in an honest and direct way. The practice is to look within now, in the present moment.
Later, he says:
In the woods, the afflictions naturally subside
For there is no one to say unpleasant things.
Having gone far from busy cities,
In the woods, peaceful meditation naturally grows.
In the woods, the mind is tamed as it conforms to the true Dharma,
And one can find the bliss of inner peace.
…
Nothing could be more incredible than this.
Thus, anyone who is wise
Should definitely go meditate in the wildwoods
To accomplish sublime and peaceful awakening.
This speaks deeply to my own lived experience of being in nature. Taking advantage of the opportunity to discover and participate in our shared ecosystem is priceless and rewarding. When we unplug, slow down, pay attention, and commune with our environment, ourselves, and each other, there are so many benefits. “Forest bathing” has been clearly demonstrated to aid in restoring and revitalizing mental and physical health, and Buddhist history is full of practitioners gaining profound experience and realization in nature. When we are able to calm our minds and see clearly, we experience openness, spaciousness, and relaxation in the natural environment, a reprieve from our busy lives.
We are all connected. It is through honoring
our interconnection that we heal from the delusion of separateness. By
connecting with nature on the outside, we reconnect with our own hearts inside.
Realizing there is no difference, we can relax and enjoy the true nature of our
interdependence.
I echo Longchenpa’s dedication of merit
Through any virtue arisen from this,
May all beings extract their minds from the city of saṃsāra
And find freedom all together
In the enchanting wildwoods of omniscient liberation.
Contemplation
· Go outside.
· Walk mindfully to a calm, relaxing spot in nature.
· Sit or stand in a comfortable and uplifted posture.
· Keep all of your senses open and aware, but don’t pinpoint any particular object.
· Feel your connection with the supportive earth through the soles of your feet or your seat. Breathe in the air and notice how it connects you with the space surrounding you. Gently and consistently observe your natural breathing, and let the other sensations in and around your body move through your field of awareness. Pay attention to the flow of your experience, but not too tight or too loose.
· Recognize that you are a part of everything around you, and likewise, it is all a part of you. Rest, relax
· When you’re finished, offer all the goodness of the calm moments for the benefit of all beings and the world we share.
If you are interested in exploring meditation and community in in a relaxed, uplifted, and natural container, please join Nick for a weekend retreat: Finding Clarity of Mind in Nature at Karme Choling in Vermont, June 27–29. The program will nurture participants’ inherent goodness and appreciation for interdependence through ritual, discussion, group activities, creative writing, and celebration. You can read more from Nick at https://www.mindpioneer.com/resources.
Nick Vail is a Karunika (teacher) for Nalandabodhi who lives in Maine.
A single parent, he enjoys quality time with his son, being in nature, playing the guitar, singing, dancing, and meditation.
