Walking in Nature

By Joel Walker

When a person thinks about “spiritual practices,” things like prayer, reading sacred texts, worship, meditation, and fasting might come to mind. There’s really no need to restrict one’s idea of spiritual practices to these core, classic religious ones. Think bigger. Think broader.

Like walking in nature - a spiritual practice so basic to humanity, pre-existing those other ones listed above. After all, humans have been walking in, and being awed by, nature, since the dawn of humanity. This practice continues for many today, but an increasing number of people rarely come into contact with nature.

As technology and modern amenities increase, it has become pretty easy to live a life apart from nature. However, for those willing to engage it, a deepening of one’s spirituality can be found.

Walking in nature, particularly in solitude, can absolutely be one of your primary spiritual practices. After all, you’re immersing yourself in the more primitive elements of God’s creation. You can remove yourself from much of the distractions this modern world offers.

There’s really no recipe or set of steps (literally or figuratively) you need to follow. You just need to go and surrender yourself to what you find. Don’t walk too fast, as you’re not doing this for the purpose of exercise and physical fitness, but for awareness and spiritual fitness.

When you feel moved to do so, find a place to sit, or perhaps even lie down. Look around. What do you notice? What do you see, smell, and hear? What do you feel . . . both inside and out? Can you find it in yourself to make this a moment of gratitude? Can you appreciate the complexity around you and under you? Will you ponder the smallness of you and the bigness and timelessness of what’s around you? Just breathe. Just appreciate. Just love . . . what’s around you and what’s inside you.