Observing Nature, Observing Ourselves: A Mindful Lens

In my ongoing journey of exploring mindfulness through photography, this week has been a fascinating convergence of two powerful practices - the 'Mountain Meditation' and the 'Sitting Spot' in nature, along with a special focus on observing leaves and nature's transformation. As I embarked on these exercises, I discovered how they seamlessly intertwined with one another, guiding me to a deeper understanding of both the external world and my inner self.

Observing & Feeling:

The mountain meditation has become the cornerstone of my practice. It allowed me to become a steady observer, grounded, stable, and connected, as I breathed deeply and peacefully. It provided me with the ability to witness the ever-changing elements of weather, seasons, and the natural world.

From the top of the mountain, I stepped on the ground in a garden, where golden leaves were gently falling to the ground. These leaves, once part of a tree's canopy, were now returning to the earth to nourish the same tree. Thinking about how they will reborn next year, different, yet the same, the leaves symbolize for me the beauty of transformation within continuity. 

Through this experience, I've learned to observe the passage of time, not only in nature but also in my own life and the lives of my loved ones. I kept noticing how I engage with each existence, guided by my senses, heart, intentions, and desires. I experience the joys, sorrows, and the essence of coexistence with different forms of life around me. Amidst the ever-changing colors of this existence, a stable and unchanging core within me remains - a core of peace.

Connecting with Nature in a framework:

We Are All Nature: By connecting with nature, we ultimately connect with ourselves. Nature's energy can be a reflection of our inner selves, and we can find a deep connection with our own emotions and feelings through this connection with the natural world.

The Attitudinal Foundations: Mindful photography is built on the foundations of patience, trust, non-striving, allowing and letting be, and befriending. These attitudes guide us to let go of the idea of success and simply focus on being present and curious. When we do this, what we need will find us, and our intuition will guide us.

Let Go of the Idea of Success: The key is to drop everything and be present in the moment, to be relaxed and open to the energy of the practice without forcing the process or focusing on the end result.

Conclusion:

This week's journey of mindful photography has been a profound exploration of the intersection between nature and our inner selves. Through the harmonious blend of practices like the mountain meditation and sitting in nature, I've discovered a powerful connection that extends beyond the external world. It has been a reminder that our inner world and the natural world are intertwined, each mirroring the other's beauty, transformation, and continuity.

As we let go of the relentless pursuit of success and embrace the foundational attitudes of mindfulness, we open ourselves to a profound sense of presence and curiosity. This is where true creativity blossoms, and we find that what we need will naturally find us. Our intuition becomes our guiding light.

So, I invite you to drop everything and be present in the moment, to appreciate the ordinary in an extraordinary way, and to let your eyes capture the profound stories of nature and your own inner peace. May your photography journey continue to be a source of inspiration and self-discovery.