Mountain Zen Den Podcast

Great to have you here for another Walden Wednesday!

It's all about intentionally carving a few moments out of your day in a relaxing nature setting in an effort to affect the quality of our lives. We do this by slowing the heart and mind, down enough to absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of naturalists and appreciators of Nature like Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau. And then at the end we give you a little time to just "Be", and settle into a deeper state of awareness as you go through your day, fully-awake, fully-present, alive and intentionally growing into the person you desire to become.

In today's reading we visit with Henry Thoreau by a stream near Walden pond and ponder the question,

"How can I simplify my life to the point that I am Awake and mindfully Aware each and every moment of my day to a Perpetual Morning"? And… "What would that look like"?"

So now, I invite you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and enjoy a passage taken from the classic, Walden: or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau. This reading is from the chapter, "Where I lived, and What I Lived For".

In Episode 82 we introduced the concept of Cultivating Your "Garden of Well-Being". Those qualities in your life that you desire to have more of, and that would help make you a better person. Things like Presence and Gratitude, Hope and Faith, Love and Simplicity, Joy and Tranquility, Beauty and Wonder, Health and today's subject – Abundance.

Today we're talking about cultivating a spirit of abundance and What Nature Teaches Us About Wealth & Abundance.

Money is generally the first thing that comes to mind when people think of wealth and abundance. But having riches, that is, being wealthy and having abundance in your life is so much more than having a lot of money in the bank and accumulating things.

Gifts and resources such as health, freedom to live and love as we choose and have the time to pursue and enjoy them, along with family, friends and other relationships and associations… these are all signs of abundance in our lives. And we should pursue and enjoy them with unceasing gratitude!

That being said, there is nothing wrong with accumulating and having a lot of money.

American new thought writer Wallace Wattles reminds us,

"To be really rich does not mean to be satisfied with a little if you are capable of using and enjoying more. The purpose of nature is the advancement and development of life. Every individual should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life…The desire for riches is really the desire for a richer, fuller, and more abundant life."

Jesus said, "I came to give you life, and life more abundantly."

Look at the world that was created. There is not just one species of bird, fish, animal or tree or flower fungus. But a countless variety that is continuing to change and grow and evolve over time. Even the rocks themselves display an amazing array of characteristics, colors, densities and the like - Granite, gneiss and schist, igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary.

Think about it, there's not just one life zone, ecosphere or habitat, but a multitude – cool luscious woodland forests, wild, cacophonous jungles, vast open plains, sweeping prairies, rich living deserts, babbling brooks and rolling rivers, endless blue, green and gray oceans… Not one star but billions and trillions and quintessagazillions beyond what the eye can see! (I just made that word up by the way…). You get the idea, whether you zoom out or zoom in, you begin to comprehend abundance and combination of resources in our lives and at our fingertips… In the natural world, there is always more than enough, and more being renewed day by day.

But the order of the world and the way life works often means we need to work with, appreciate and cultivate these resources.

The original meaning for the concept of Meditation meant – "To Cultivate."

Cultivate: - verb (used with object), cul-ti-vat-ed, cul-ti-vat-ing.

1. to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
2. to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor or attention.
3. to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine: to cultivate a singing voice.
4. to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.
5. to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.). Even devoting oneself to personal growth.

If you have ever grown a garden or crops you understand the concept of cultivation.

As I've said before, growing a living thing requires focus, intention and preparation. It requires a bit of time, sweat, and focused energy, consistency & upkeep, especially when it comes to weeding… The entire process is what we might refer to as "work". But the reward waiting at the end of the harvest yields an abundant crop of desired results. It's the way of Nature; the way things were designed to work.

I hope this concept helps in our meditation, giving you a visual today, as you picture yourself continuing to cultivate your "Garden of Well-being", and specifically Abundance.

There is so much more we could discuss about this concept, but we'll have to revisit and explore deeper another day. For now, suffice it to say, we are all living, dripping in gifts of abundance and once we recognize that, express gratitude for them and begin to cultivate them, they show outwardly in our lives in beautiful and endless ways.

So, as we begin today's meditation I invite you to remember that Nature is the best environment for cultivating abundance, renewal and personal growth.

Music for today's show provided courtesy Jeff Van Devender/JavaMusiK.com

Here at Mountain Zen Den, our Wednesday podcast features passages from Walden and other great classics that relate to cultivating the wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity found in the natural world as offered by some of the most influential naturalists, writers, philosophers and poets of our past.

Walden Wednesday is all about taking a little time in our favorite nature setting on a regular basis to help still the heart and mind, and slow you down enough to absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of some of the greatest thinkers we've ever known. And then at the end we give you a little time to just "Be", and soak in these treasures to settle into your inner being and hopefully, become a part of who you are as a fully-awake, fully-present, alive and aware, intentionally growing human being.

Today, we pick up where we left off last Wednesday and contemplate what it really means to be a "Philosopher", and the question,

"Am I fully present for and living the life I desire and wholly believe in…fully present for the meeting of two eternities?"

So now, I invite you to settle in and take a deep breath as we continue a passage from the chapter titled "Economy" from the classic, Walden: or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau.

MZD Podcast – Ep 94

Welcome to the Mountain!

Well how are you feeling today?

Are you the picture of health you always dreamed you would be?

Today we're going to talk about cultivating one of the most important aspects of your being – Your Health.

Our bodies are tied into our entire being and affect not only the way we feel, but our mind and the way we see the world and interact with everyone around us… that is, our relationships.

Have you ever been "hangry"? Then you know what I mean! You're not necessarily mad at the world or angry at the people around you. You're just hungry with low blood sugar and it's affecting your mood at that very moment. For Pete's sake, (everyone else's around you), eat something!

Not only are our minds and emotions and relationships affected by our health, but our spiritual well-being is as well.

You see, we cannot divide ourselves into fragments of being – saying things like, "Well, we are Spiritual beings, so the Spirit is the only thing that matters!" or, "The Mind is the most important thing, because without thought, there is no being", or, "No, only the body matters because when the body dies, you die". The truth is, we are all of those things, Body, Mind and Spirit, and the well-being of each affects the other.

Alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra tells us in his book, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind,

"The biochemistry of the body is a product of awareness. Beliefs, thoughts, and emotions create the chemical reactions that uphold life in every cell. An aging cell is the end product of awareness that has forgotten how to remain new."

But how do we remain new? It's a question posed daily, coming at us from every angle through ads and promotions offering anti-aging products, promising that if you buy this or try that, you will look younger, feel better, be sexier, and on and on.

Books and magazines and TV show and movies glorify youth and beauty, jumping to the superficial rewards of taking care of yourself; things like glamour and popularity, sex-appeal and even fame, while apparently ignoring the underlying importance of health, well-being and longevity.

So back to the question. How do we "remain new"?

This is a very deep and involved subject that has been studied and written about in many articles, books and journals filled with hundreds of thousands of pages of research, tests and observations, breaking down the biology of the human body and how it ages, and what it needs for optimum health and performance.

I know this is going to sound obvious or over-simplified, but in a nutshell, the answer is simply to live a healthy life. Our bodies were created to regenerate billions of new cells daily, and have been doing it since the day we were born.

We know how to, we have simply forgotten that the way to cultivate health is to simply live by health principles. And don't lie to yourself, you KNOW how to do it.

Let's dumb it down into seven simple steps:

Simply put, get plenty of sleep, eat healthfully, drink plenty of water, abstain from unhealthy ingredients and activities, and exercise regularly. And the two we are primarily here for today, Daily Meditation with Time Spent in Nature.

More specifically, here's a quick bullet-point checklist with a few pointers:

• Sleep – 7 to 8 hours a night. Keep in mind that the hours before midnight are typically the most productive in healing and body repair. Ad avoid erratic sleep times and hours.

• Diet – Make it your aim to be a Nutritarian. This means you eat for nutrition, not just flavor, or what seems healthier than just "the bad stuff". Stay away from processed foods. A quick list of the good stuff might include Greens – Broccoli, Kale, Spinach, Bok Choy and other leafy greens. Fruits like bananas, oranges and lemons pineapple and grapefruit. Berries, like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries. Eat Onions, Mushrooms, Beans and Seeds like Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds and Chia Seeds.

Daily portions of each of these categories are known sources of full nutrition for a healthy body. And don't forget healthy fats like avocados and nuts, especially walnuts, almonds and pecans. While I really enjoy eggs for breakfast, I replace cow's milk with almond milk and non-fat, plain yogurt with berries or bananas and cinnamon. Other favorites include oatmeal and quinoa. And remember yogurt is a great source of healthy bacteria important for gut health.

Now I'm no doctor or health expert, and this is not a comprehensive list, but it's a great place to start the next time you're at the grocery store. By the way, don't forget your vitamins and minerals and things like ginger, turmeric and fish oil.

A great book Melissa and I would recommend is Eat Smarter by Stevenson Shawn, where he teaches how to use the power of food to reboot your metabolism, upgrade your brain and transform your life. A wonderful place to start in educating yourself in nutritional health. Another favorite of ours is the website Simple Green Smoothies with Jen Hansard, offering plant-based recipes and ideas for delicious smoothies. Yum!

• Drink plenty of water. 64 ounces, or 8 tall glasses a day is recommended. First thing in the morning when I wake up, I like to bath my inner body with a tall glass of water, chased by another half cup of water filled with 3 or 4 splashes of Organic, Raw, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. The kind with the "Mother" included which contains strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria. It may take a bit getting used to the taste, but it's a great way to lower your blood sugar in the morning, setting the tone for developing a hunger for only healthy foods at the start of the day.

• Stay away from things you know are bad for you – tobacco, drugs, excessive alcohol, sugar and processed foods, AND destructive, negative thoughts and behaviors.

• Simply put 10,000 steps per day, along with get-your-heart-pumping cardio 3 to 5 times per week. So much more can be said about this but I think you know what this means. Move! By the way, Green Exercise, that is, exercise outdoors is all the better if you can do it. More on this in upcoming episodes.

• Meditate daily. This will help you maintain a positive, healthy outlook on life, which influences and affects your entire being dramatically.

• And finally, Get Outdoors in Nature, breathe fresh air, walk in beautiful, natural surroundings and fill your heart with the sights, sounds and full-sensory experience if Nature. It has been scientifically proven to:
• Significantly reduce your stress levels
• Lower your blood pressure
• Improves cognitive functioning
• Control your thoughts and behaviors
• Improve your relationships
• Increase your confidence
• Boost your health in a plethora of ways including,
• Elevate your mood, happiness & outlook on life

So there you have it. All you need to know about how to cultivate health, given in under ten minutes! Remember, if you want to have the energy that it takes to create momentum and change in your life, there is nothing more important, (or irreplaceable) than your health and well-being.

Let's revisit Chopra's statement,

"The biochemistry of the body is a product of awareness. Beliefs, thoughts, and emotions create the chemical reactions that uphold life in every cell. An aging cell is the end product of awareness that has forgotten how to remain new."

We set up our body by living with healthy principles, and then we help it remember how to remain new through awareness and meditation.

So if you're ready, let's begin cultivating health today by integrating our body into the entire experience through today's meditation.

Welcome to Walden Wednesday on the Mountain!

I want to reward you with something a little different than what we typically experience during our traditional meditation time.

In past episodes we have occasionally shared passages from Walden and other great writings and literature, relating to cultivating the rich wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity found in Nature.

In 1845, American naturalist, poet, writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau decided to try a grand "experiment". In his own words,

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

We're going to offer more of these classics set in nature on a regular basis to help still your heart and mind, to just absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophy and writings of some of the greatest thinkers who ever lived. And then we are going to give you a little more time at the end to allow these treasures to settle into your soul and perhaps become a part of you.

As you listen to today's offering, you might want to ask yourself this simple question.

"What do I really need?"

Welcome to Mountain Zen Den!

It has been a while, and much has happened since we last met here. The entire world has changed. Dramatically! Yet, while there have been a multitude of anxiety producing events and uncertainty, if you zoom out and look at the big picture, you can see it has actually been a season of opportunity, of renewal, self-reflection, ad growth. The possibility of change and revision… A "Re – Vision".

Today we're going to talk about what happened. We are not going to get into pandemics or politics or world events, or even masks, or viruses and vaccinations, or anything else that has occurred in the world over the past year. We've all had enough of that, and there's not a thing we can do to change the past.

We are here to talk about You. What happened to you during all of this. We'll do an honest self-assessment.

Maybe you are not sure, and instead have just allowed yourself to drift.

There is still hope and healing, light and love, and magic and wonder in Nature and the natural world around us, just waiting to be discovered, and re-discovered and enjoyed...

It begins with a choice. A choice to let go and allow. The first step towards doing this is to decide to let go. The second is to change your surroundings.

Now I want you to see that there is a major difference in getting lost and tossed about and drifting through the droughts and disasters of life, versus drifting with the current. One is a despair and the other is a choice.

There is power in choice. There is hope and power in a single step forward!

Today, we are at a crossroads my friend – to give in to helplessness and despair and drift aimlessly through life, or to choose to allow and surrender to the flow. We'll get into the details on this topic in upcoming episodes, but for today, choose to let go of pain and suffering, knowing that you are no longer helplessly drifting, but have made the choice to get into the flow of life and have chosen to be the observer vs. the victim.

Keywords – "Choice", "Choose" and "Chosen".

So if you're ready, let's let go of all the pain and suffering of the past year, and choose to live the life we were made for through today's meditation.

"If I had influence with the good fairy… I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life." ~ Rachel Carson (Nature writer and conservationist)

Happy New Year and Welcome to the Mountain!

Come on in to Mountain Zen Den, where we inspire you to connect with Nature for mindfulness and Personal Transformation, naturally!

The holidays are winding down and it's time to get back to the routine and ruts of life as we know it. Or is it?

One of my favorite things about starting a new year, (and in this case, a new decade), is the opportunity to look back, assess what worked and what didn't, and then to look forward, ask what is it that I want, and then make new choices, plans and decisions to get there...a fresh start, so to speak; or maybe just a fine-tuning adjustment.

Either way, a new year offers us another reason to be mindful. And that's a very good thing indeed.

Over the last several weeks we have been exploring the concept of Cultivating Your Garden of Well-being, beginning with Presence and Awareness, Hope and Faith, Love and Simplicity, Joy and Tranquility, and even cultivating a sense and appreciation of Beauty, and all that that means.

Today being the beginning of a new year, we are going to talk about developing and cultivating a sense of Wonder.

When was the last time you truly enjoyed a feeling of mystery, reverence and awe?

As a child, I remember Christmas in particular had this fascinating effect on me. It wasn't just the presents and the decorations and the lights…it was much more! The magic of possibility – gravity defying reindeer-sleigh antics and chimney escapades, ghosts of Christmases past, present and future, snow gently falling on a silent night, truly making all calm and bright, and the Christmas story of a Divine Baby born in a manger, visited by shepherds and lambs and donkeys and angels, and wise men following a star. Here was true mystery and wonder; God becoming a man? How can this be?

And then I grew up. In many ways science, technology and travel have made the world a much smaller place. If there really is a Bigfoot or Loch Ness monster wouldn't they have been discovered by now? Declining biodiversity and shrinking habitats for our beloved wildlife have made it even smaller.

In his book "Feral – Rewilding the Land, the Sea, and Human Life", author George Monbiot speaks of the human psychological need for the presence of large animals, and in particular, cats. We're talking mountain lions, tigers, jaguars and such.

One of the most exciting memories of awe and wonder I have of being in the wild is on a horseback ride where we startled a mountain lion at a drinking hole at dusk.

Another is encountering a large cinnamon-colored black bear while I was hiking alone in the woods, in the evening.

Yet another is of encountering a very large animal in the woods in the Rockies. Melissa and I had recently bought a new camera, and I was excited to try it out. We had just crossed a small stream when our horses suddenly stopped, lifted their heads high in the air, ears straight up, nostrils flared, and they wouldn't budge. Less than forty yards in front of us, a huge "dark horse" with very skinny legs and a funny looking nose, (otherwise known as a cow moose), crossed our path. She totally ignored us and continued walking into the other side of the forest.

Our horses, on the other hand, were totally unnerved and it took several minutes before they would move on. I looked over at Melissa and she looked at me. Both of us were holding our cameras, mouths wide open in awe and a bit of fear. Neither of us had the presence of mind to snap the shot, so let's just say this was the one that got away…

Each of these experiences are forever etched in my memory, where I can revisit them from time to time, knowing there is a much larger, and somewhat dangerous world out there just waiting to be explored and enjoyed as an adventure.

We don't just experience awe and wonder, we enjoy it.

I liken it to a feeling of bliss. You get lost in it. It envelops your entire body like a blanket of goodness, and you can feel its warmth and chills spreading down and outward from your head and heart.

Why can't this be a daily thing?

It can, if we purposefully show up in the right places at the right time. This isn't to say that there's not a place for serendipity. That is one of the greatest things about being awe-inspired. You don't usually see it coming. But as we place ourselves in the Way of Nature, we naturally increase our chances of experiencing a sense of reverence, awe and amazement.

A flock of Canada geese overhead on a crisp autumn day, seems to do it for me every time.

The hoot of an owl in the nighttime forest, the lonely cry of a loon on a placid lake, the bugle of an elk echoing through the high Montane meadows of the mountains, and the song of the whippoorwill in the evening woodlands, all bring their own unique voices to the Song of the Earth.

The starry skies, galaxies, constellations, nebulae, sun, moon and even fireflies offer the deepest magic on an otherwise ordinary night.

But most beautiful and mysterious of all is that still, small Voice that speaks to the deepest part of your soul when you need it the most - speaking light, love and wisdom into your heart.

All of these simple and profound gifts are wondrous beyond words. The important thing is that we show up to experience them. And this begins with presence and mindfulness.

So if you're ready let's open our entire being to a sense of awe and wonder through today's meditation.

"…If you're down to your final dime, can't decide what else to buy to be happy

You don't need a credit card to give your heart the beauty of the world..." ~ Peter Mayer

Well the hustle and bustle of Christmas has come and gone, and it's the end of another year. Snowflakes are gently falling outside. The presents have been opened. The children are happily playing in the other room, and you sit with the one you love, sipping hot chocolate reading from a book with Currier and Ives prints, in front of the crackling fire, and breathe a deep sigh of contentment.

Sounds like a Netflix Christmas special doesn't it?

So your world doesn't look like this? What is it about this scene that appeals to us? Aside from the peace and quiet that is finally here, what about this setting draws and attracts us like moths to a flame?

Is it the beauty?

Beauty is an interesting thing. The preferences and specifics can vary and change to a certain degree, but I think it's safe to say that we all long for and appreciate "Beauty". Sunsets and rainbows, scenic landscapes, ocean views, rich forests and placid lakes all speak to us in a language of the soul.

Music and nature sounds, like gently falling rain, babbling brooks, whippoorwills, chickadees, crickets and spring peepers all soothe and calm us with their beautiful melodies.

Story and song, paintings, quilt-work, sculptures and woodwork, jewelry and even finely designed clothing are all a reflection of the natural world around us and, help bring purpose and meaning into our every day lives beyond just making a living so that we can put food on the table and a roof over our heads.

As best selling author Joyce Carol Oates says, "Art is the highest expression of the human spirit", and if that's true, as artists, and appreciators of art, if you will, when we create and enjoy beauty, we are leaning into our highest selves and therefore transforming into better human beings.

There's so much we could discuss about the power of beauty to help us transcend to new and glorious heights, but for the sake of time today, let me just encourage us each to take time to seek, express, appreciate and cultivate more beauty into our lives.

The journey begins by recognizing the beauty of the world, and in truth, the entire Universe before us.

"Work when there is work to do. Rest when you are tired. One thing done in peace will most likely be better than ten things done in panic…. I am not a hero if I deny rest; I am only tired." ~ Susan McHenry

So how are you holding up this holiday season?

Are you tired of being told there's only so many shopping days until Christmas?

Maybe the stress of finances, (or lack thereof), the burden of work deadlines and family obligations are wearing you down. Finding the "perfect" gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list can be so stressful.

Or even worse, for many the holidays can be a very depressing time. Health struggles, past memories, and the sadness of loss of relationships and loved ones make it especially hard to endure when everyone else around you seems so happy, alive and in love.

What is so sad is, this is supposed to be the season of "Peace on Earth and good will toward all", a time of "Joy to the World", and at times it feels like anything but.

We all long for a place we can retreat to from time to time for peace and quiet; a retreat for relaxation and tranquility. As the stresses of life take their toll on us, body, mind and spirit, it becomes more important than ever to take time for ourselves to just breathe and "Be". Some call this meditation. Others call it introspection, reflection or "quiet time".

Whatever you call it, the good news is you can take this gift, this place of inner calm and tranquility with you wherever you go.

I know it's a drastic statement, but it's true! Studies show that only a few minutes a day spent in mindful meditation, and in Nature can lower your blood pressure, significantly reduce your stress levels, elevate your mood and outlook on life, improve your cognitive functioning, and add years to your life.

We have distanced ourselves from nature – the smell of wildflowers sage and pine, the feel of natural grass between our toes, and the texture of bark and sand and dirt, the scent of freshly fallen rain, the gentle gurgle of flowing forest streams, and the breath of wind through the trees. We've lost touch with the natural world all around us; the calm azure sky filled with white dreamy clouds overhead. We've lost touch with our truer, deeper selves found in Nature and reflection; cutting off our ties to the Original Source of joy, security, tranquility and well-being.

As we have been learning to cultivate our garden of well-being, perhaps one of the most important, if not the most important stae of being for our health, and well-being is that of Tranquility.

Being able to come away and just detox from stress on a regular basis could be the difference between a long and healthy, happy life, and that of a shorter one filled with sickness, sorrow and disease. So in today's meditation let's seek to cultivate Tranquility.

...Need a little more downtime to cope with and recover from Holiday stress? Stick around after the end of today's show for a few more minutes of quiet reflection for another song from "A Simple Christmas".

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you. A joy." ~ Rumi

How are you doing today? Are things going the way you want them to? Are you living the life of your dreams? Are you happy and content with your present state of being? More importantly, is your life filled with joy in this very moment?

If you can answer "Yes", to this last question, then you are a very blessed individual indeed.

If not, no worries. Join the other 99.9% of people on the planet. That's why we're here today.

We are going to explore some very practical ways to cultivate joy in your life and "Garden of Well-being.

Have you ever really spent much time pondering how you might be able to be a happier person and live a more joyful life?

Thich Naht Hanh points out,

"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive you will see it."

Well this bit of good news is truly encouraging…If we can learn to stay in the present moment.

We would do well to remember however, that Joy and Happiness are two very different animals.

Happiness is fleeting. It is capricious, and depends on outer circumstances, events and situations which and can come and go at a moment's notice. Just so you know, there is nothing inherently wrong with happiness. I hope you are filled to the brim with happiness in this very moment of your life.

On the other hand, let us consider Joy. Where Happiness is a feeling which comes and goes, Joy is an underlying state of being. Unlike Happiness, it cannot be contrived or captured. It is like beautiful bird or butterfly: wild and free. You can't catch it and take it captive. You have to allow it land to on you. You can't try to hold onto it or it will die or fly away.

Unlike happiness that can be "contrived", joy is a state of mind, a reveling in the goodness of the present moment. When you have learned to cultivate Joy you are filled with deep satisfaction, pleasure and elation in the now. This means being content with whatever your situation, and recognizing a higher state than that of Happiness.

So how does one go about cultivating Joy in one's life?

Well, at the risk of sounding like I am contradicting what I just said about not being able to contrive or capture or "make" Joy happen in one's life, there are some things you can do to put yourself in Joy's way.

You are probably here today because you love Nature and spending time outside.

Depending on where you live, as the days are getting colder and shorter, it can grow more and more challenging to step outside our comfort zone and get outdoors. Spending time outdoors is so vital to a sense of well-being.

One of our favorite outdoor activities when it's cold outside is to bundle up real warm in layers, and take the dogs, (all three of them), and the horse, (if there's not too much snow on the ground), for a nice brisk walk down the lane and out along the trail by the lake…

The clear, cold air and the tranquil scenery with the snow-covered mountains in the background is so invigorating and brings such a feeling of euphoria that I can't help but experience a deep sense of joy. No matter what else is going on in my life at the time.

There is something about connecting with the natural world that boosts everything that is good within in us another notch higher. It is Vitamin N for the soul. This, in conjunction with Meditation is the miracle drug. We know from clinical studies that meditation has been shown to offer a plethora of natural health benefits, including lowered blood pressure, better sleep, a reduction of stress, headaches, chronic muscle fatigue, aches and pains and even depression and coronary artery disease.

When you combine the two, the effects can be phenomenal.

So, if you want more joy in your life, put yourself in the way of this dynamic duo of natural goodness…

Again, remember what Thich Naht Hanh said,

"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive you will see it."

It is time for us to intentionally focus a few minutes on our day in being attentive, and awaken to joy. The more we practice the better we get at it, and the more time our lives will be filled with this wonderful state of well-being

But before we begin, I just want to share a story Mark Nepo tells in his classic, The Book of Awakening.

"It is said a great Zen teacher asked an initiate to sit by stream until he heard all the water had to teach. After days of bending his mind around the scene, a small monkey happened by, and, in one seeming bound of joy, splashed about in the stream. The initiate wept and returned to his teacher, who scolded him lovingly, 'The monkey heard. You just listened.'"

So today as we practice in our meditation and listen, be sure to not just "Listen". Make it your intention to "Hear". And when you do, jump all the way in and splash in the stream with joy…