Share your experience at our orientation meeting!

The purpose of this exercise is to connect your inner nature with the outer nature. There is no "one way" or "correct way" of participating. What feels authentic, safe, and comfortable to you is the correct way. 

Connecting with nature has the potential to impact deep societal change toward respecting and caring for our environment. The goal of this exercise is to recognize that we do not exist independently; nature impacts our sense of self. 

By expanding our sense of self in an intentional way and fostering pro-environmental behavior, the hope is that, as a collective, we will become less likely to harm the natural world. By viewing nature as an extension of ourselves, we can begin to hold space for empathy, mindfulness, awareness, and active reflection. 

Nature Walk Suggestions: 

1. Take a walk! Around campus, local nature trail, your neighborhood, etc. Wherever you feel safe and one with nature.

2. When walking, be aware of sights, sounds, and smells around you. Notice the wind blowing, the sound of trees rustling, birds chirping, and bugs buzzing. Being mindful of the exterior environment. 

3. Focus on your inner environment, acknowledge your breathing, and take notice of the changes in the terrain. Notice what you are experiencing mentally, physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually. 

4. Feel free to capture the moment with pictures and share! 

Sit Spot Suggestions: 

1. Find a sit spot that's “calling you,” a place in a forest, a park, or by the water where you want to be. Focus and relate and relax into your surroundings; Observe what is already there and let the beauty guide you.

2. Profoundly connect Inner Nature with Outer Nature and follow it to True Source Nature by listening to the sounds around you, feeling the ground that is carrying you, smelling the air, tasting it, and sinking into your visual field. The aim is to leave everyday habits and patterns behind so something new can emerge.

3. Explore the sensations that may come to mind on the sit spot and let your thinking mind wander; observe your thoughts move like clouds in the blue sky. Notice, and let go. Learn More Here!

4. Feel free to capture the moment with pictures and share!