How to nature forward on vacations

Mystic tested and approved!

I’m a practical mystic, which means I am a bridge between modern culture and a profound sensitivity to the Natural World. I help people develop their relationships with the mystery of the land, which leads to transformation in their daily lives. 

Since age six, I’ve guided myself and others into nature. So many insights led me to develop six critical fundamentals for elevating your nature connection. They are very effective at helping you stay grounded.

I’ve used these steps while traveling the globe — to over 60 countries — and understand how to integrate nature-forward immersions into any location and travel style. If you’d like guidance on how to plan a nature-forward vacation, check out my article HERE. I can also help you plan an epic nature-forward vacation on a Zoom call. 

I also offer guided nature-forward immersions in the Pacific Northwest. These 90-minute low-impact walks take place in beautiful green spaces. We work with the six steps in a practice that expands personal relationships with the Natural World, leading to various benefits, including healing and well-being. Send a note if you want to join me for this experience. 

Nature-forward Step 1: Make an Intention

Call them purpose, goals, key initiatives, learning seeds, or desired outcomes; they all convey the concept of intention. So what would you like to come from your nature-forward experience? 

As soon as you’ve narrowed in on activity and location, get mindful of an intention for your nature-forward immersion. This might begin back home while planning or when you wake up the morning of the event.

There is power in sharing your intention with travel companions. However, if you are on vacation alone or the desire feels very intimate, write it down or hold it firmly before you embark on the experience.   

The closer this intention hits your core, the more likely it is to help you. So do your best to focus on an authentic purpose for your nature-forward activity. 

Again, there are no right or wrong intentions, but here are a few hints I find helpful when guiding myself and others into nature:

1. Be particular about “this” moment. Incorporate something that is currently of mind, and be specific. Instead of “I want to enjoy this vacation,” consider “I want to learn the best things for me to know today about this vacation?” Or maybe, “I want to learn helpful considerations before booking (activity)?” 
2. The way is “through” conflict or uncomfortable topics, not avoiding them. If something is troubling you, ask for the courage to face it. The Natural World wants to help you clarify how to proceed — you might be surprised by the outcome. 
3. When you have a big goal or life dream, think of your intention as helping to take the next step. For example, “I want clarity on the next step toward achieving (big goal or dream),” or “I want to learn what is most important for me to know right now about (big goal or dream).” 
4. Understand that an intention like “peace and tranquility” can invite the work needed to face emotional, spiritual, or intellectual obstacles to reach “peace and tranquility.” So be ready for this great gift. Or, set the intention, “I want to find clarity on how to move toward peace and tranquility on this vacation.”
5. A simple, heartfelt intention works excellently. “I want to be present with nature” can lead to powerful discoveries if you really mean it.

Nature works best when your heart is open to what is really happening in your life. Be mindful not to suppress feelings and emotions just because you’re on vacation. A nature-forward experience is about seeing your “nature” or “essence” clearly.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes with daily life kept at a distance, space opens up to allow the Natural World to be incredibly constructive, nudging you toward insights that can lead to practical solutions and integration upon returning home.

How to nature forward Step #3: Remove Distractions

Of course, you’re hopefully not answering the daily demands of life back home. And, it goes without saying that you keep technology and talking to a bare minimum while immersed in nature. So, avoid taking photos for the first 20-30 minutes of your experience.

But vacations have a different suite of distractions. Dinner reservations, checklists, museum closing times, misplacing documents, and simmering drama can quickly leave your soul flapping in the wind. This is precisely why daily grounding in organic goodness is valuable and essential for any vacation.

Consider finding a gate or bridge to your nature-forward immersion at the entrance. This is a great location to leave distractions behind the threshold.

For example, if you’re worried about the tickets you ordered for the Lu’au not being at will call later in the evening, try to leave that behind the gate so you can get the most from your nature-forward immersion. If you need your phone to be connected to await the call from the Lu’au, consider doing a different activity until you can be completely present.

This is different than something that might be troubling you (like a recent layoff from work) because an intention like “how do I move forward from this feeling of loss and fear of the future?” allows you to remain open to the Natural World’s healing salve. The potential distraction becomes an invitation to work with nature to help find clarity.

How to nature forward Step #5: Pay attention

After about 20 minutes, begin to look to meet nature where you are at this moment. Do you feel sharp and mentally engaged? Gravitate toward a sword fern or palm frond. Are you recovering from sadness? The still water of a pond is a good starting point. I’ve written more about this in a blog post meeting nature where you are.

Now that you’ve removed distractions and slowed down, paying attention to the miracles of nature will enhance your connection to the Natural World. At this point, it is helpful to remain stationary in a nature immersion that might resemble a meditation. 

Depending on the situation and what’s available, you might decide between three meditation postures:

1. If your intention is around something to do with leadership or taking a stand, try standing. But, at the same time, you pay close attention to nature. 
2. Do you want healing to come? Lying down on a park bench and looking up can be helpful. Be sure to stay awake with eyes lightly focused.
3. Is a desire to learn in your heart? Sitting meditation helps usher in new perspectives. You are in a good stance to see yourself reflected in the rock, trees, water, and plants around you. 

Walking is an innovative practice that stirs up inspiration for new ideas, life changes, and coming out of hiding. This is done in between the stances mentioned above — and very slowly. 

These meditations are guidelines, and there is no right or wrong way to connect with nature. For example, try to stand as long as possible and then move to sit on a nearby bench. Or, walk a mile on a trail and stop for 20 minutes at a lookout. 

The main point is to be aware of all the natural elements surrounding you. 

Remove expectations and be open to the outcome of what nature spirits could contact you and what that experience entails. Allow nature’s medicine to flow through you. 

When you find distractions creeping in, imagine them as clouds gently moving through the sky — just as they enter your mind, they float past and back out. 

After the first hour, the structure could be anything that fits with the environment. The longer your time is immersed in a nature-forward experience, the more healing and goodness will enter your life. Remember, this is a practice, so try something each day while on vacation. It will transform the way you travel.