It was a chilly Autumn Sunday when we met with 10 other explorative beings for our second experiment of being in nature with awareness.  Following our inaugural walk in Epping Forest, this was the second walk my wife and I had organised, of what we hope will become monthly mergings with nature (even when the weather gets colder).  We met at Richmond Park in London were everyone seemed enthusiastic despite the busy car park and patience needed to find a space.  We then set of following the same format we had a month ago.  We would start with a walking meditation for 30 minutes which would lead us to a point in the forest where we would then lead straight into a sitting meditation.  After which we had a few experiments in engaging with nature.



The walking meditation started off quite close to the car park and we were still amongst many curious passersby for the first 15 minutes of the walk.  One surprising observation was that not only was our group moving into silence as we walked but this seemed to extend to those who passed by as they lowered voices and walked gently past us.  Other members of the group later shared that one woman was gently encouraging her child to be quieter while another person remarked at how we were taking in nature and that they should try it. 

For some walking at a slow pace with mindfulness did provide challenges.  However, this generally passed as many found a natural rhythm and lightness with their walking.  One of the noble friends, Tal, expressed that she found walking and focussing on the ground had led to the leaves on the ground becoming really vibrant and alive to her.

For the sitting meditation, we found a fairly dense spot to ensure we were amongst the beautiful trees who are our other lungs in life.  It was fairly chilly and the occasional sunshine also did not manage to find its way to our spot, but everyone managed to sit through the meditation.  Then we all got even closer to the nature with many hugging trees with such beautiful enthusiasm, while others just sat and connected with mother earth by merging their hands on the ground.

Now I must admit that on both the first outing we did and this one I was a little concerned that people were seemingly uncomfortable or uncertain as we went through the exercises.  This was a group of 12 with almost all being strangers and joining us for the first time.  However, just like on the first walk I was completely blown away by the depth of experiences shared when we did our circle of sharing. I just smiled inside listening to everyone’s sharing as I realised that nature has an unbelievable, yet easily accessible way of taking us deeper within, if we just slow down and open up to her.  Here are some of the sharings from the day which luckily where done in a sunnier spot (thanks Joao for suggesting this).

Divya expressed that she felt a real stillness amongst the nature when we sat in meditation which came from feeling connected to being there.  She also really enjoyed connecting with the Earth and was surprised that the Earth felt warm when she placed her hands on it.

In our group, Harpal had recently returned from 5 weeks of camping in an Italian woods.  Walking amongst the trees she had a knowing come over her that the trees in this forest are the same trees from the Italian forest.  It was not an intellectual thought that everything is connected and one and the same but rather a real feeling of knowing that the trees are the same.

During the sitting meditation Tal felt that her sense of hearing was really heightened as she could very vividly hear the rustling leaves and the sound of the wind.  Even the occasional plane overhead just seemed part of the sounds rather than a distraction.



During the day, having a bit of sunshine, then some wind and sitting in the forest meant that the weather changed a few degrees at times.  However, for Joao the feeling of cold when it came was greeted within by an inner enjoyment in the acknowledgement that feeling cold meant he could feel and was alive.

Rita while struggling with the walking meditation, found herself opening her hands up and connecting with the sensations of the wind upon them which brought her towards stillness.  She was also full of energy as she is so joyful when in nature and connecting.

Eli brought smiles to everyone as she expressed how she felt like we were “people from another planet” during the walking meditation.  It wasn’t so much that we were different but rather that we were somewhere else.

We had an avid cyclist and hiker with us, who has done some epic cycles like riding from London to Bournemouth.  However, for Jignesh the day brought something completely different.  When he is out cycling or hiking he is always timing himself.  It is about going faster and achieving something.  This was the complete opposite and he had never thought of slowing down before.  He found this very calming and connecting.

For Davide, hugging the trees was something special.  He says it is very hard to describe what it is or does but it is wonderful for sure.

Patricia was grateful to share the space with others in nature as she really loves being in nature and makes sure she is out in nature about three times a week.

Our last sharing was from Urvashi who found the walking meditation difficult at first but slowly settled into it.  The exercise of engaging with the earth was really moving and connecting for her.

After all the walking, sitting and sharing everyone was ready for a lovely picnic lunch with all bringing some tasty offerings.  We ended the day with a walk down to the small lake in the middle of Richmond Parking before many hugs and well wishes sent us on our way.



It was another beautiful day with much gratitude owed to the ever giving Nature that is present in our lives.  Can’t wait for our next walk on November 23rd at Hampstead Heath.

To everyone who reads this I wish you many a day lost in the Stillness of Nature.