Weaving nature into transportation

After being out of touch for much of 2022, I’m back!

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As the new year rolled around last January, I began more seriously exploring a lifelong calling to help the world connect deeper to the healing powers of nature. I realized that the starting place for this partnership with Mother Earth was finding the path toward paying attention quietly through meditation. 

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When most hear the word meditation, they think of something seemingly impossible, like staring serenely at a flower for hours in perfect harmony. While that might be a wonderful goal, it isn’t realistic for many people in a culture which constantly demands our attention. 

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In examining ways I could find more profound peace from within, meditation during travel became an obvious area to explore since travel is such a large part of my existence.

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Although my life has been enriched by exploring the world, travel has invariably brought me moments of stress and frustration. For example, the three-hour drive between Seattle, where I live, and the Portland area, where I grew up, used to be a dreaded slog, sometimes involving expletives directed toward drivers going under the speed limit in the left lane.

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That was until I started looking at that journey in a new way. My first successful blog post, Seattle to Portland drive, helped me open up to new experiences – like the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and Kalama Riverwalk – on an all-too-familiar route.

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Slowly what was once a necessary annoyance has morphed into a time of solace with an old friend. Today I relish the three hours which are now spent exploring nature differently. Although I’m moving at a healthy clip, I feel at peace surrounded by evergreen trees, fleeting views of local volcanoes, and the majestic Columbia River. 

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I also have figured out the timing for when to make the drive – but that’s a different story! 

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This week, Amtrak announced the resumption of rail service between Seattle and Vancouver – slated to begin September 26 – after a Covid-19 hiatus. This is exciting because riding the rails is another example of what can be an excellent way to enjoy meditation while traveling.

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The Pacific Northwest offers some beautiful railroad routes, ever so conducive to gazing out the window for hours. Some might call this “zoning out” a form of meditation. Your mind can pay attention to the changing scenery while your heart quietly expands, connecting to the natural world outside the window. It might not feel obvious initially, but Mother Nature is at work under the surface. 

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I invite you to peruse a few of my transportation articles – like the refreshed Seattle to Vancouver train piece. Maybe they will inspire new opportunities to find connections with nature in your travels.

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Whether by train, plane, or automobile, may your holiday weekend be safe and happy!

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Matthew