What is mindfulness?

And why is it so connected to nature? Mindfulness is all about living in the present moment. A state of mind that is easier to reach in nature, as if nature is already reaching out to us.

From young age, we learned to ‘live in our heads’. We went to school and had to use our ‘heads’ all the time. Writing, calculation, reading. The list grew longer as we progressed through our school years. After school our careers took off and here as well we ‘only needed’ our brains. Logical thinking, estimating, judging, forming opinions, weighing consequences of potential decisions.

Our free time is largely spent in front of screens. Whether it’s the tv or a smartphone or a computer, we are always absorbing information with our consciousness.

And we call it normal.

But it is not. It is unnatural.

This is why our health on average is pretty low and so many people experience physical or mental limitations. We go against our nature. I am positive about many modern techniques. How awesome is it for instance, that you are able to read this? But technique should add value to our lives, not own us. We have become so depend of it. So addicted to it. Feeling the urge to check for messages, likes and more every few minutes. Dropping what we do every time our phone announces a new message to read it and respond to it.

We are always thinking about where we want to be instead of where we are. Totally forgetting to appreciate the good things in our current situation. It creates tension in the body ánd mind to feeling separated in this way; being with your mind in one place and your physical body in another place. And separation means disconnecting from who we truly are.

Our natural way is to be mindful. To be aware of our bodies. To live in an easy pace, without hurry. Stress is for emergencies and should be used as a survival mechanism for which nature created it.

Our natural way is to move a lot and to live outside, not locked away indoors. We are made for fresh air, provided by trees, not airco systems.

Mindfulness is the practice of returning to a state of awareness in which we are being present in the now. Aware of the moment. Aware of the space we are in. Aware of who we truly are.

I am writing this blog in a mindful way. I’m sitting in my garden full of trees. It is nicely warm and the sun warms my back while I’m typing. After every sentence I pause. I breath softly deep into my belly. I smile as I notice the sun lighting up the leaves of the Ivy and trees. I hear the birds behind me enjoying second breakfast and a bath. I feel a light breeze giving the air a fresh sensation. And I sense how I am part of all of this. How I am part of nature. My whole body relaxes in that awareness. They are about to go ramming today. But not now. Right in this very moment everything is perfect.

I am doing what I love in a lovely manner. My day shines brightly as do I.

This is what mindfulness brings you. 

Want to experience the benefits of mindfulness, but no idea how to start out? Here are a couple of tips to get you on track: