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Today’s post is a bit of a departure from what I’ve been posting lately, which has been mostly walk-and-talks with friends and acquaintances in nature.

For a number of years now I have been occasionally posting on Insight Timer, a meditation app used by millions of people around the world. For most of my life I have felt led to learn to pray and meditate, and this app has been really helpful to me as I’ve tried to do that.

I also really enjoy creating meditations and sharing them with others. I know it’s a bit of an unusual thing, but I genuinely enjoy it, and Insight Timer has become a creative outlet of sorts for me.

All that to say, today’s post is about a reflection I put together for the app, and you can expect more of this type of post in the future. The reflection I’ve attached is based on two unusual spiritual experiences I had (aren’t they all unusual?). The first one I share in the reflection, and the other I’ll share with you below.

The first experience happened on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where I used to work. I was walking down the street when someone who was clearly very drunk nearly stumbled into me at 9:00 in the morning. It was a surreal moment, because instead of judging that person, my almost immediate response was, "I'm just like him.” I might not be drunk at 9 AM, but I have my own addictions. Mine are a little less obvious to some, but I have them nonetheless. Instead of feeling separate from this person, I felt a strange sense of similarity, a recognition that we weren’t so different.

That phrase, by the way, just like me, is a really helpful one when it comes to addressing our tendency toward judgment.

I believe we’re all addicts to some degree, whether we realize it or not. We all do things to numb or medicate the pain we feel and the trauma we’ve experienced. We all suffer. We all have pain. And we’re all trying to cope. But it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s also our nature to experience happiness, and we all know what joy feels like.

That encounter was eye-opening. In that moment I felt a sense of oneness with that individual, and through him, with all of humanity. We all suffer and we all experience joy. We’re human. We all do our best and cope in the ways we know how, some healthy, some not.

Since I’m on the subject, I want to mention that meditation is one of the things that has genuinely helped me deal with addiction. One of the steps in recovery is about improving our conscious contact with God, and it has helped me enormously.

So this meditation is partly born out of meeting that person on the street and my unexpected reaction of oneness.

The other experience, which I don’t mention in the reflection, happened when I was praying outside, probably about 20 years ago. I was standing beside a pond near the Houston Trailhead in Langley, BC, a place I used to visit regularly to pray and meditate. On this particular day I decided to simply stand and be still. Almost immediately I saw a small flash out of the corner of my eye, and what followed I can only describe as an overwhelming feeling that everything was connected. I didn’t have language for it at the time, so I simply called it my “oneness experience.”

Interestingly, when I got back to the trail, I heard the words in my mind: Be still and know that I am God, from Psalm 46. It was a God moment. My knees buckled and I nearly fell over. That experience is one I’ve been unpacking ever since, and I think I will be for the rest of my life. The idea that all things are connected was new to me then, and I still believe it’s a mystery, perhaps even a gift given to me by God or the universe to contemplate for a lifetime. I am so grateful for this gift.

The fruit of that experience is this: when I remind myself that all things are connected and simply say the word one, I feel a deep sense of connection with whoever I’m with, and all judgment immediately falls away, even in traffic! Some contemplative teachers have said that this realization of oneness is love. Having practiced it and experienced it, I have to agree. As judgment diminishes, it really does feel like a form of love.

If you watch the video or listen to the audio, please let me know what you think. The video has some graphics that I hope will add to the experience. I’m not really interested in theological debate, but I would love to hear your thoughts about your own experiences with awareness and what comes up for you when you engage with the reflection.

May you experience what it feels like to be connected to all things. May that knowledge enrich your life, as judgment diminishes and you discover a dimension of love.

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Rod Janz on Instagram

Rod’s website

New Course: Hints Of Gladness: Rediscovering Happiness Through Intention And Awareness. Click here to learn more - https://insig.ht/AnHp1aqEb1b

What happens when you step away from the noise and busyness of the city and go for a walk?

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In this Let's Go For A Walk (And Talk), I'm joined by Gordie Lagore in the beauty of Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. We talk about rest, burnout, presence, and a powerful encounter Gordie had with a bear that turned into something unexpectedly sacred.This conversation is a gentle invitation to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what it means to feel human again.Thanks for walking with us.Gordie Lagore - https://www.soulstream.org/spiritual-directors/sd-profile/gordie-lagore/

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Rod Janz on Instagram

Rod’s website

New Course: Hints Of Gladness: Rediscovering Happiness Through Intention And Awareness. Click here to learn more - https://insig.ht/AnHp1aqEb1b

What can a river, a forest, or even moss teach us about life?

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In this walking conversation, Rod talks with musician and songwriter Brian Thiessen about surrender, parenting, grief, and the wisdom we can learn from nature.

Along the way, Brian shares the story behind his song Cathedral, a piece that began as a poem written in the forest after the sudden loss of his father and slowly grew into music over nearly a decade.

They explore how letting go often becomes one of life’s most difficult and necessary lessons. From raising children who grow into their own beliefs to noticing how something as small as moss can teach us about simply taking the space we are given.

This episode also includes music by Brian woven throughout the conversation, creating space to pause and reflect.

Brian on Instagram

Brian on YouTube

River Take You Home

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Rod Janz on Instagram

Rod’s website

New Course: Hints Of Gladness: Rediscovering Happiness Through Intention And Awareness. Click here to learn more - https://insig.ht/AnHp1aqEb1b

An ordinary walk became a sacred encounter.

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In this episode, Andy Park shares the story of a powerful moment that happened on a familiar park trail. A simple path became a divine encounter reminding him to keep walking and leave the future in God’s hands.

Along the way, we explore prayer walks, spiritual formation, waiting like Abraham, humility in leadership, and finding light even in dark seasons.

Andy Park on Instagram

Rod Janz on Instagram

Work with Rod one-on-one

New Course: Hints Of Gladness: Rediscovering Happiness Through Intention And Awareness. Click here to learn more - https://insig.ht/AnHp1aqEb1b

What happens when you stop measuring your life and spend more time in nature?In this walking conversation through Stanley Park, we explore how being outdoors changes the way we think about success, productivity, and what actually matters. This is a reflective, unhurried dialogue about nature as a teacher, walking as a way to think, and the quiet wisdom that emerges when we step away from optimization culture.

Watch the conversation on YouTube:

Steve Pratt shares how time in nature has helped him rethink success, let go of constant self-tracking, and approach midlife with curiosity instead of pressure. We talk about awe, mental health, presence, and why being outside without an agenda can be one of the most grounding practices available to us.This conversation is for anyone who feels tired of chasing metrics, overwhelmed by advice, or wondering if there is another way to live. It is an invitation to slow down, go outside, and listen more closely to what life might be teaching you.

Trail wisdom from Steve:

* Nature recalibrates us without asking for anything in return.

* Sometimes the body knows what the mind is still trying to solve.

* When success is measured only by metrics, meaning is sometimes lost.

* Awe reminds us that life is larger than our worries.

* Midlife is an invitation to experiment, not optimize.Steve Pratt on Instagram

Steve on Substack 1 - The Creativity Business

Steve on Substack 2 - The Midlife Field GuideRod Janz on Instagram

The previous walk and talk on Substack.

Spiritual Direction for the Independent Seeker (Rod Janz)

A Walk And Talk With Ben Miller

In this episode, Rod heads out for a walk with Ben Miller. They talk about why being in nature helps so many of us reset, how learning to notice what is around us can change the way we approach each day, and what it looks like to carry awareness into everyday places like the grocery store or a city street.

Watch the conversation on YouTube:

Ben shares personal stories from his life outdoors, moments that stayed with him, and a few simple questions he returns to when he needs to slow down and pay attention. Together they explore the tension many of us feel between surrendering to life and knowing when it is time to take action.

In the second half of the conversation, Ben opens up about the story behind Wirth Hats and how it grew from friendship and loss into a community that supports accessible mental health care. They talk about breaking down barriers to counselling, creating spaces where real conversations can happen, and the idea behind the Flowers on Fridays Wirth hat as a small but meaningful act of self-care.

Trail wisdom from Ben:

* Notice more than the path aheadWhen we widen our attention and look up, we discover how much we usually miss. Awareness changes the experience, whether on a forest trail or in the middle of a grocery store.

* Curiosity deepens presenceAsking simple questions like “What happened here?” or “What is this teaching me?” invites reflection without needing answers. The practice is in the asking, not the solving.

* Slowing down reveals what is already hereMeaningful moments often appear when we pause. Without intention, even something extraordinary can pass unnoticed.

* Small anchors carry us through hard seasonsHaving something to look forward to, a walk, a ritual, a weekly joy—can quietly support mental health. Everyone needs their own version of Flowers on Fridays.

Ben's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastermill/Wirth Hat's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wirthhatsRod's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjanz/

The previous walk and talk on Substack. “Let Life Unfold with Catherine Ducharme” see

I went for a walk with Catherine Ducharme and we talked about slowing down, letting go of hustle, and paying attention to what grounds us. We wandered along the Coquitlam River, reflected on walking as a grounding practice, and explored how nature helps us breathe, reset, and feel more at home in our lives.

Watch the video on YouTube:

Trail wisdom from Catherine Ducharme

* Slowing down is not falling behindLife keeps moving whether we rush or not. Choosing to slow down can actually help us notice what matters and respond more wisely instead of reacting from exhaustion.

* Walking side by side changes the conversationMovement creates space. When we walk with someone, conversations unfold without pressure.

* Nature regulates us, even in small dosesA tree, a river, or a short walk without headphones can calm the nervous system.

* Renewal must follow effortPushing without pause builds strain. Like waves, effort needs a return. Without renewal, burnout is often the outcome.

* Feeling seen restores a sense of belongingAppreciation is not about praise or performance. It is about being noticed.

The previous walk and talk on Substack. “When Nature Speaks” with Eric Janzen see

https://rodjanz1.substack.com/p/when-nature-speaks

In this episode of Let’s Go for a Walk and Talk, I walk and speak with Eric Janzen. We talk about nature, anxiety, faith, and transformation. Eric shares how being outdoors calms his nervous system, why silence and solitude matter, and how certain moments in nature have shaped his spiritual life. We also talk about letting go of control and asking a profound question. Who am I becoming?

Note: The audio above contains a version that is only slightly edited and has the entire conversation. The video below is edited and is a little shorter. Enjoy!

👉 Eric’s Instagram → eric_h_janzen👉 Rod’s Instagram → @rjanz

Trail Wisdom via Eric Janzen:

* Nature can calm the nervous systemTime in the woods is not just relaxing. It can help quiet anxiety, slow the mind, and bring the body back into balance.

* We are not divided into partsMind, body, and spirit are not separate. When we slow down, we often feel more like ourselves because everything comes back into alignment.

* Not every meaningful experience needs to be chasedDeep moments often arrive on their own. What matters most is how we reflect on them and let them shape us over time.

* Letting go of control creates space for changeTrying to manage everything can exhaust us. Letting go can pave the way for a fresh perspective and a new way of being.

* A better question than what am I doingAsking who am I becoming can gently reorient your life toward kindness, compassion, and depth.

The previous walk and talk on Substack. “Walk and Talk with Brenda Wollenberg” see https://substack.com/home/post/p-181290431

This conversation follows Brenda Wollenberg on her daily walk as she reflects on nature, presence, justice, and how simple moments outdoors continue to shape her life.

👉 Brenda’s Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/inbalancelm/👉 Rod’s Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rjanz/

The previous walk and talk on Substack. “Walk and Talk with Nelson Boschman” -

https://rodjanz1.substack.com/p/walk-and-talk-with-nelson-boschman

Walk with Nelson Boschman as he reflects on nature as a place of rest during COVID, the challenges of vocational transition, and how the idea of an identity cleanse shaped his journey.

Nelson is a writer, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, jazz musician, wine enthusiast (I forgot to talk to him about that—next time), husband, and father. Nelson lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

👉 Nelson’s Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nelsonboschman/👉 Rod’s Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rjanz/

Last walk and talk on Substack (Jess Janz) - https://substack.com/home/post/p-180155230