"If there is any wisdom running through my life now, in my walking on this earth, it came from listening in the Great Silence to the stones, trees, space, the wild animals, to the pulse of all life as my heartbeat."  

- Vijali Hamilton

Have you ever stopped to listen?  To identify a sound?  That's exactly what you will be doing on your walk.  You will be listening to the world around you, identifying new sounds and old!  You do not have to have a name or identification for every sound you hear but make a note of the sound in your journal. 

It can be difficult to hear the sounds of nature over the sounds of our own footsteps.  Watch this " Walking stealthily " video for fun.  As you walk, pay attention to the sounds you are making and see if you can walk a little quieter so you can hear nature around you. 

What you will get out of it: 

The purpose of today’s lesson is for you to slow down and listen to the sounds of nature.  On your walk you may hear the breeze blowing through the trees, the birds singing to one other, water cascading down a stream or a swollen waterfall making a monstrous noise.  

What you will do: 

Today you will take a walk in nature and practice making observations using your sense of hearing.

• • • Listen to a spirit podcast and strive to listen to sounds in the surrounding environment, instead of focusing on just one thing as you walk.

    • Take part in 13 minutes of mindful reflection.

    • Make a list of sounds you expect to hear on your walk in your journal.  

    • Engage in 15 minutes of movement.

    • Reflect on the list of sounds you created, and make a sketch of a sound you heard.

    • Reflect on your hike today and the things you have learned.

Recommended Nature Walks:

• • Easy:

• • 1. Tom’s Creek (PA) .8 mile one way  ( Tom's Creek Directions , Tom's Creek Trail Map )

• • Medium Short:

• • 1. Scenic Gorge (PEEC) 2 mile loop ( Scenic Gorge Directions , Scenic Gorge Trail Map )

• • Medium Long:

• • 1. Cliff Trail (PA) 2.8 miles one way ( Cliff Trail Directions , Cliff Trail Map )

    2. Dunnfield Creek (Worthington State Forest) 3.5 mile one way ( Dunnfield Creek Directions , Dunnfield Creek Map )

*We recognize that nature walks are not possible for everyone so, while the hikes are highly recommended, they are not required. Spending time in nature, even the nature found in a park or your own backyard, is absolutely fine.

image by Rapum Dutta