Art from nature is created with the brush of time. To meditate on it is to experience a state of timelessness. This month we cover some brilliant nature artists from different corners of the planet. We hope their work helps you stop time, even if it is for a few moments.
Great nature artists have the ability to gift us a unique perspective of our world, creating works that provoke thought, evoke emotion, and inspire awe. As you experience their art, put yourself in the mind of the nature artist and spend a little thought to imagine the creation process. Creating beautiful art that evolves and disintegrates with time is perhaps a metaphor for our own journey through life.
Nature Artist: Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist known for his site-specific sculptures and land art. Goldsworthy often uses natural materials like rocks, leaves, ice, and branches to create his works, which are often ephemeral and subject to the forces of nature. His pieces explore themes of impermanence, the relationship between humans and nature, and the passage of time. His work can be quite stunning, and it often invites viewers to contemplate the beauty and transience of the natural world. Explore Andy Goldsworthy’s work.
Nature Artist: Richard Long
Midsummer Circles, 1993, Richard Long
Richard Long: Long is a British artist known for his minimalist sculptures, often created by arranging natural materials like stones, sticks, and mud into geometric shapes or lines. He’s also renowned for his landscape interventions and walks, during which he documents his journeys through photographs and text. His work explores themes of time, distance, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Learn more about Richard Long.
Nature Artist: Maya Lin
Maya Lin: Lin is an American artist and architect famous for her environmental artworks and memorials. She’s best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., but she’s also created numerous other works that engage with nature and landscape in innovative ways. Lin’s installations often incorporate natural elements to evoke contemplation and reflection on the environment and our place within it. Explore Maya Lin’s work.
Nature Artist: Nils Udo
Nils-Udo: Nils-Udo is a German environmental artist known for his large-scale, site-specific installations made from natural materials. His works often blend seamlessly with their surroundings, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of the natural world. Nils-Udo’s pieces range from ephemeral sculptures to intricate earthworks, all of which celebrate the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Discover more about Nils-Udo.
Nature Artist: Robert Smithson
Desert Breath by Robert Smithson
Robert Smithson: Smithson was an American artist famous for his pioneering land art and earthworks. He’s best known for creating “Spiral Jetty,” a massive earthwork sculpture built into the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Smithson’s work often dealt with themes of entropy, transformation, and the relationship between art and the environment. Discover more about Robert Smithson.
Nature Artist: Agnes Denes
Tree Mountain by Agnes Denes
Agnes Denes: Denes, a Hungarian-American artist, weaves intricate tapestries of thought and land. Her work, often colossal in scale, talks of the symbiosis between human intellect and the natural world. She paints with fields of wheat, etches with the sharp edge of geometry, and sculpts with the undulating curves of topography. Denes’ creations are sung in the language of soil and sky. Explore Agnes Denes’ work.
Nature Artist: James Brunt
James Brunt: Brunt, a modern-day wanderer and artist, roams the land seeking inspiration from the earth. With nimble fingers he sculpts masterpieces from pebbles, leaves, and branches. Each creation is a testament to the beauty hidden in the mundane, a delicate dance between chaos and order. Brunt invites us to pause, to see the world anew through the kaleidoscope of his vision, and to rediscover the magic woven into the fabric of existence. Discover more by James Brunt.
Nature artists and their art serves as a gentle reminder of our connection to the earth and the fleeting wonders it holds. We hope you enjoyed this post. Leave a comment to let us know of other amazing nature artists that have touched your mind.
Every month we share uplifting new ideas from nature. You can join our free newsletter to see older posts and get the latest one.
Also, try our collection of best nature activities from around the world and create your own meditative art. >> Nature Calm
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How good are you at making decisions? One of life’s indispensable skills, the art of decision-making is seldom given the importance it is due. In the labyrinth of our minds, making big decisions can feel like navigating through an ocean without a map. But what if we could learn a mindful approach to decision-making, drawing inspiration from nature around us? Welcome to the world of Mind Craft – an artful blend of mindfulness practices and nature’s wisdom, guiding us towards making wiser choices in life.
In this article we share simple but effective tools for better decision making. These tools and ideas are suitable for a wide range of age-groups. The learning happens through a short mindful walk in nature, filled with creative and reflective activities. Activities that craft your mind for unraveling life’s complexities, helping you find answers to difficult questions.
This article is part of our collection of amazing nature walks to learn life’s most useful skills. See the full list here: 12 Uplifting Walks
Mind Craft: Sense and Sensibility
FOCUS WALK: Take a slow walk through a serene space in your city. Let go of the clamour of the outside world and tune into the symphony of nature surrounding you. Choose any one sense to immerse yourself in – perhaps the delicate fragrance of wildflowers carried by a gentle breeze or the soothing melody of birdsong echoing through the woods.
By honing in on a single sense, you invite a profound sense of calm into your being, anchoring your awareness in the present moment. With each mindful step, you cultivate a deep sense of focus and attention, laying the groundwork for clearer and more intentional decision-making.
PRIORITIES MANDALA: Now that we’ve grounded ourselves in the tranquility of nature, let’s explore a powerful tool for prioritising and organizing the decisions we face. We create a nature mandala, a symbol of our mind and the world, to map out our decisions. The mandala is made up of a circle with 4 sections. Pick up objects that you find lying around to create your mandala. These objects represent all the pending decisions you need to make.
To create the mandala, sort out the ‘decision objects’ based on their urgency and importance.
Urgent and Important
Not urgent but important
Urgent but not important
Not urgent and not important
By assigning our decisions to different corners of the mandala, discerning which ones demand immediate attention and which can wait, we are able to declutter our mind. It frees up a lot of energy so that we can focus on things which are most important.
Mind Craft: Roots and Branches
DECISION TREE: Let’s delve deeper into the art of decision-making by creating a decision tree, a visual representation of the choices before us and the values that guide our path. Select any one of the tasks or problems you’ve identified in the previous activity to work on.
On a piece of paper draw a tree, starting with the roots. Each of the roots represent values that are important to you – love, health, money, time, and whatever else holds the greatest significance in your life. Label the roots with your core values. These roots anchor your decision-making process, grounding it in what truly matters to you.
As the branches extend outward, each represents a potential path or alternative course of action. Take the time to evaluate each branch, considering how it aligns with your core values. The mind craft of being able to visualise different choices and their possible outcomes is a remarkable tool for making important decisions. Just as a tree grows and flourishes with careful attention, nurturing, and pruning, so too can our decisions flourish when rooted in mindfulness and guided by our deepest values.
FUTURE VISION: The next mind craft is the ability to look into the future. To be able to see the impact of your choices in the short, medium and long window of time. To train your mind, resume your gentle, mindful nature walk.
Notice five intriguing details in your immediate vicinity – the delicate intricacies of a flower petal, the rhythmic rustle of leaves in the breeze, the playful dance of sunlight on the forest floor. Then, shift your gaze to the horizon and identify five sights in the distance – the majestic silhouette of a mountain range, the meandering path of a winding river, the boundless expanse of the sky above. Finally, attune your awareness to the unseen but felt presence of five things beyond the scope of your vision – the subtle pulse of life coursing through the earth, the timeless rhythm of the seasons unfolding, the interconnected web of existence enveloping us all.
In this moment of quiet contemplation, consider the impact of your decisions and choices across different timeframes – the short-term, medium-term, and long-term consequences. You can take time to imagine how your choice may pan out 5weeks, 5 months and 5 years from now. Would you like to change or modify your choice based on the consequences you can imagine? By considering the long-range consequences, we gain clarity to make wiser choices, shaping our path with mindful intention.
Mind Craft: Past, Present, Future
PERSPECTIVES LETTER: As your mindful walk draws to a close, find a serene spot in nature to engage in a reflective exercise – writing a letter from our future selves to our present selves. This practice holds profound significance as it allows us to gain perspective from a detached vantage point. Often, it’s easier for us to offer advice to others than to ourselves, but by envisioning our future selves as wise mentors, we can tap into fresh insights.
From this distant viewpoint, we can unravel the knots of confusion that may cloud our minds, offering clarity and guidance to navigate life’s complexities with renewed wisdom and insight. So, write a letter to yourself and pen these words of counsel with compassion and empathy, bridging the gap between past, present, and future selves.
GRATITUDE CIRCLE: If you are in a group, you can end the mind craft walk by sharing any insights or breakthroughs you might have had. Reflect on how your decisions are shaping not only your immediate reality but also influencing the unfolding tapestry of our world. As a group take a few minutes to stand in silence and gratitude for yourself, for each other and for nature.
The ability to connect with nature in a mindful way helps us access our subconscious as well as creative sides. These mind craft activities give us essential skills to refine our decision-making abilities so that we can navigate the forest of existence with grace and clarity.
Every month we share uplifting new ideas from nature. You can join our free monthly newsletter to see older posts and get the latest one.
Also, try our collection of best nature activities from around the world to create remarkable changes in your life. >> Nature Calm
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In the intricate dance of our day-to-day existence, conflicts are often unavoidable companions on our journey. Whether it’s a difference of opinion, a clash of priorities, or a collision of expectations, conflicts are an inevitable part of the human experience. Yet, it’s not the presence of conflict that defines our path but how we navigate its terrain. In this article we will find some useful tips from nature that show us multiple ways to handle conflict.
Much like nature’s inhabitants, we too possess primal responses to conflict – the instinct to fight, flee, or freeze. However, there’s a more nuanced, evolved way to address these challenges. Join us as we embark on a journey through the wisdom of nature, discovering lessons that unveil the art of conflict resolution and the transformative power it holds in our lives.
The 4 damaging ways to deal with conflict are: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.
When confronted with conflict, our primal instincts kick in – fight, flight, or freeze. Picture a confrontation between two rival animals in the wild, each vying for territory or resources. The showdown may involve aggressive postures, loud vocalizations, and, occasionally, physical combat. This raw display of the fight response is mirrored in our human interactions, often resulting in heated arguments or confrontations.
On the flip side, the flight response is seen when a creature chooses to avoid conflict altogether, seeking safety in the anonymity of the wilderness. Humans too have perfected the art of avoidance, often sidestepping conflicts rather than addressing them head-on. However, as we delve deeper into the natural world, a third response emerges – the freeze. Imagine a prey animal playing dead in the face of a predator. Similarly, humans may find themselves paralyzed by conflict, unable to take action.
So how can we transform our conflicts into a source for deeper connections as well as means to expand our consciousness? How do we learn the tools that help us strengthen our relationships and create harmony in our life? Here are some interesting ideas and practices from nature.
1. Deep Listening: Song of the Forest
Nature whispers its secrets to those who listen with intent. Deep listening is a skill ingrained in the very fabric of the natural world. To know a forest, is to know its song. Take the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze or the rhythmic crooning of a stream as examples. In conflicts, too, deep listening plays a pivotal role. Rather than reacting impulsively, pausing to listen allows us to understand the nuances of the situation. Can we evolve our listening skills, so that we listen to understand the other and not to win the argument? Here’s a simple activity to enhance your listening ability.
In great relationships, people have the model that “when my partner is upset, the world stops and I listen.”
~Julie Gottman, Clinical Psychologist
Nature’s Listening Circle Meditation
Begin by finding a quiet and natural setting for your walk. It could be a park, a forest trail, or any place where the sounds of nature surround you.
Grounding: Stand still for a moment and take a few deep breaths. Feel the connection between your feet and the Earth. Allow yourself to be present in the moment.
Close Proximity: Start your walk by focusing on the sounds closest to you. Listen to the rustle of leaves under your feet, the chirping of insects, or the gentle breeze brushing against nearby branches. Take a few moments to truly absorb these subtle sounds.
Intermediate Sounds: As you continue your walk, broaden your listening circle to include sounds that are a bit further away. Perhaps the distant call of a bird or the soft gurgle of a stream. Pay attention to the diversity of sounds that nature provides.
Expanding Horizon: Gradually expand your awareness to encompass sounds in the broader landscape. Notice the symphony of the wind, the distant chatter of animals, or the rhythmic flow of water. Allow your listening circle to expand with each step you take.
360-Degree Awareness: Now, stand still and close your eyes. Imagine your listening circle expanding in all directions, creating a 360-degree awareness of the sounds around you. Feel the depth and richness of nature’s auditory tapestry.
Selective Listening: Focus on a specific sound. It could be the song of a particular bird, the rustle of leaves, or the flow of water. Listen to it with deep attention, appreciating its unique qualities.
Return to Center: Slowly bring your focus back to the sounds closest to you. Gradually narrow your listening circle until you are attuned to the immediate surroundings once again.
Closing Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on how your perception of sounds has evolved during this nature walk. Consider how expanding your listening awareness can deepen your connection with the environment.
As you conclude this mindfulness meditation, carry the heightened listening awareness into your daily life. The ability to listen deeply not only enriches your experience of nature but also enhances your understanding and communication in various aspects of your life.
2. Compassion: The River of Understanding
Conflict often arises from the feeling of navigating life’s challenges alone, without a partner to turn to or anyone to rely on. This inherent loneliness becomes a breeding ground for disputes. It becomes imperative, then, to address these underlying issues first.
The journey toward conflict resolution begins not with tactics or strategies but with restoring connections and trust. By fostering an environment where individuals feel heard, supported, and connected, we pave the way for a more compassionate approach to conflict. Compassion, in this context, bridges the gaps created by mistrust and isolation. It begins with understanding the struggles of those around us and extends to offering support without judgment.
In a heated argument or intense conflict the greatest act of compassion is simply taking a restorative break. Finding an activity or space that allows you to recharge and think clearly, is compassion for the self and the other.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, say something like, “I need a little break,” or “I think we both need a breather.” Avoid pointing fingers with a direct “You need a break.” It is really important to let your partner know when you’ll be back—whether it’s in 20 minutes or up to 24 hours. This way, they understand it’s not about rejection; you just need some time. It keeps the communication open and friendly.
Nature Journaling Meditation on Compassion:
Embark on a nature walk with a journal in hand, observing the world around you through the lens of compassion. As you wander, jot down instances of support and cooperation in nature. Witness the symbiotic dance between plants and pollinators, or the way trees provide shelter to various creatures. Note the intricate connections that sustain life.
Pause and reflect on these observations, drawing parallels to human interactions. Consider the lessons nature offers on collaboration and mutual support. Just as a tree offers shade to both friend and stranger, reflect on how compassion can create a nurturing environment for personal and collective growth.
By documenting these examples in your nature journal, you not only appreciate the beauty of the natural world but also gain insights into fostering compassion in your own relationships.
3. Gratitude: Nourishing the Roots
In the heart of the forest, every being plays a role, contributing to the delicate balance of ecosystems. Similarly, in the human landscape, conflicts often arise from a clash of values or priorities. Gratitude becomes the fertile soil in which the seeds of resolution can take root.
Acknowledging the strengths and contributions of others in the midst of conflict cultivates an environment where resolutions can bloom. Expressing gratitude opens a channel of understanding, bridging gaps that seemed insurmountable.
Always operate from what’s right in a relationship, instead of what is wrong. And express your gratitude.
Four Circles of Gratitude Meditation
Find a tranquil space to begin this transformative meditation.
Gratitude for Self: Start by acknowledging and appreciating yourself. Reflect on your strengths, achievements, and the resilience that resides within. Breathe in gratitude for the unique individual that you are.
Gratitude for Close Relationships: Extend your gratitude to those closest to you – friends, family, or mentors. Envision the warmth of their support, the shared laughter, and the comfort of their presence. Feel the gratitude radiate as you acknowledge the enriching tapestry of your close relationships.
Gratitude for Distant Connections: Expand your awareness to include gratitude for those who may be physically distant but remain connected to your life. Consider colleagues, acquaintances, or even the unseen threads that tie you to a broader community.
Gratitude for All Beings and Nature: Broaden your gratitude to encompass all living beings and the natural world. Feel gratitude for the intricate ecosystems, the beauty of the Earth, and the shared existence that binds every being.
Conflict and Its True Purpose
In life, happiness relies on strong bonds, and conflicts are part of any close relationship. Being able to express concerns freely and openly is building commitment for the relationship, highlighting the irreplaceable value of our partners.
Healthy bonds thrive when we learn to address and resolve our issues wisely. It’s not about avoiding conflicts but confronting them with compassion, building resilience in the process.
Through listening, gratitude, and kindness, we uncover nature’s lessons for harmonious coexistence. Conflict resolution is a journey, exploring the wilderness within and the wisdom nature offers for richer, more meaningful connections. Remember, navigating differences is part of the adventure, and the key is to embrace it with understanding and care so that we grow together.
Every month we share uplifting new ideas from nature. To see older posts and get the latest one, please join our free monthly newsletter.
Also, try our collection of best nature activities from around the world, to experience myriad benefits for health and happiness. >> Nature Calm
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Healing Forest 