S7 E137 · Tue, January 23, 2024

Ep 137 30-Day Nature Reset Introduction

Welcome to the mountain! How are your New Year’s goals and resolutions holding up? No cause for guilt or shame.  No need to feel bad.  On the journey toward wholeness, every day is Day 1.  A fresh start.  Every day offers an opportunity to learn and grow and begin again. Abraham Maslow, (you know - the hierarch of needs guy), observed, “What one can be one must be”. You and I were created for a purpose.  And deep within each of us is the desire to grow and fulfill that purpose.  We become restless, (or something even worse), when that purpose is ignored or stuffed down.  This is the root of unhappiness and all sorts of sorrows, struggles, and addictions. As we step into the new year we have yet another opportunity to be grateful for the chance to align with nature and to GROW.  To grow and purposefully evolve into the person you know you were meant to be and to live the life you were meant to live.  To connect with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth.  That’s what Mountain Zen Den is all about. Why Nature? Because… “The history of humankind is inseparably intertwined with the natural world.” Because “in the movement and stirrings of the seasons, in the silence and stillness found in Nature we are invited into an inward journey where, if we listen we can hear the gentle whisper calling us to reunite with our deepest selves, that part of us that we have inadvertently lost along the way.”  That voice ultimately shows the way to the weary wanderer. Why inward journey? Because, as Rick Rubin reminds us, “Our inner world is every bit as interesting, beautiful, and inspiring as nature itself.  It is, after all, born of nature.” Probably like me, you have felt the change and downward pull of the world over the past few years.  If you can relate I have some good news!  My good friend Erik Stensland and I have collaborated in creating a 30-Day Nature Reset. This 30-Day Nature Reset offers beautiful and inspiring videos of meditative reflections on Nature and the “inward journey”.   Each of these 2 to 5-minute nature videos features chapters from Erik’s award-winning book, (now an audiobook as well), Whispers in the Wilderness , have been designed to help keep you on track with your new year’s goals and resolutions.  They will guide you on an inward journey through deep and contemplative reflections on Nature through the spoken word, accompanied by thoughtful music and the rich sounds of the natural world.  Erik is one of the most gifted and accomplished nature photographers in the world.   His books and stunning mountain and desert images are breathtaki

S7 E136 · Tue, July 18, 2023

Ep 136 Horses and Eating Disorders with Lisa Whalen

S7 E135 · Mon, May 29, 2023

Ep 135 Wild Embrace

Welcome to the Mountain! The end of winter and the onset of summer has brought a beautiful lush, green world to us here on the eastern slope of the Colorado Rockies.  With more rain than usual, followed by cool mornings and incredible sunny days in between, Nature has given the gift of Paradise for us to embrace, explore and enjoy!  I recently had the privilege of narrating and producing an audiobook for my friend Erik Stensland, a well-known and loved, highly respected nature photographer and author, who owns a gallery here in Estes Park, Colorado, as well as one in Abiquiu, New Mexico, north of Santa Fe. He has spent the last twenty plus years celebrating the beauty of the natural world through his photography and books, encouraging all of us to listen to the whisper within that calls us to a deeper life.  A gentle soul, and deep spiritual thinker, Erik has written several books, including "Whispers in the Wilderness" .  As a nature-lover and mountain addict, it’s one of my all-time favorite books.   In it, he explores the longing we have for the wilderness, suggesting that it is the trailhead for a journey to wholeness.  Erik does a superb job of offering short, daily reflections on the natural world paired with his gorgeous photos from Rocky Mountain National Park, where he encourages us to go deeper within ourselves and discover the healing that nature offers. Today, I’d like to share the first chapter called “Wild Embrace” from his audiobook of “Whispers in the Wilderness”.  I invite you to find a comfortable setting where you can relax and close your eyes and absorb the sounds of nature, peaceful music and Erik’s words of wisdom and comfort. Chapter 1 – “Wild Embrace”   “Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.”  ~ John Muir I invite you to go and find the door and the new life to which it leads you. I want to thank Erik for being such a humble and observant vessel, both in his words and nature photography, and especially for allowing us to offer it to you here today.  If you enjoyed today’s show, and the message you heard, you can find out more about Erik and his incredibly inspirin

S7 E134 · Wed, April 05, 2023

Ep 134 Awaken to Mindfulness in Nature

It’s been awhile.  Glad to see you back here.  Today is a new day.  A fresh start to a new you.  A great time to ask the question, “Am I awake to this moment?  To the here and now?  To this moment?” Henry David Thoreau reminds us that the vast majority of civilization leads quiet lives of desperation.  Or maybe if he were around today, he would say “noisy lives of desperation” Lives spent trying to be anywhere but here, now. Today I would like to invite you to remember that all we have is this moment.  Yesterday is gone, a thing of the past, and tomorrow is no guarantee, a thing of the future.  Everything that has ever happened has occurred in this moment.  This moment is where the adventure begins, so why try to live anywhere else? Here at Mountain Zen Den we are all about connecting with Nature for Mindfulness and Personal Growth.  By letting go of stress and finding joy in the moment.  And happiness in the simple gifts of Nature.  And the way we do that is by waking up and becoming Aware.  By getting out of our insulated, isolated shells, and immersing ourselves in Nature. We begin by asking ourselves, “Am I connected and aware of this time and place in the natural world?”  Here is one way you can tell how aware and connected you really are.  Answer these simple questions. “What is currently happening in the natural world around me?” “What is the Season?”  “What is the weather doing?  How about the temperature?  Are there clouds?  What kind of clouds?  Is there a breeze?  What about the moon?  What phase is it in?  Is it waxing or waning?  Where are Venus, Jupiter and Mars?  And the stars… Could I point to Polaris, the North Star in the night sky and identify and name 5 other constellations from where I am standing?” These are simple and telling questions to help get us started to get an idea of how awake and connected we really are. To creation. Here are a few more. “How about the plants and wildlife around me?  What is in bloom right now?  What birds are currently ‘in season’”? How often do we take the time to notice the natural world all around us?  The “Real World” as I like to remind myself. We are probably very aware of the current state of the political world in society and culture – the latest news, politics, economic financial markets of growth and recession, of gas and grocery prices, and even sports and celebrity status.  But how awake and are we to the physical planet we live on? How about our internal world?  Our personal state of being?  Our self-awareness and consciousness of our connection not only to ourselves and our immediate family and relationships, but to ev

S6 E133 · Sat, January 21, 2023

Ep 133 Nature Immersion Through Art Therapy with Sherri Phibbs

  No Comments MZD Podcast – Ep. 133 – Nature Immersion Through Art Therapy Since 2009, facilitator, author, and artist Sherri Phibbs has been gaining a wealth of experience in Nature immersion, and to date, has written three books which, among other things, teach the hungry and willing student how to connect with Nature through art and deep sensory Nature immersion. You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy and appreciate the lessons she shares.  In fact, Sherri emphasizes that you need absolutely no art experience previously in order to create.  All of us could benefit from the wisdom and insights offered in today’s show.     I found it fascinating when she also shared her experiences with, and discovery that, according to Dr. Michael Cohen, we have over 50 verifiable senses besides the 5 that we are all familiar with.  Having gone through some very difficult struggles and life challenges as a single mom, Sherri now uses Art Therapy as a tool for “de-coding” her spiritual experiences. She teaches guided workshops for stress relief and living a balanced life with purpose and clarity. If you are looking for confirmation in the healing and deep personal and spiritual insights that can be found through connecting with Nature, as well as Art Therapy, I believe you are going to really enjoy today’s show.  Come on in…

S6 E132 · Sat, January 14, 2023

Ep 132 The Big Quiet with Lisa Stewart

Can you hear "The Call" to a Great Adventure in your life? Something you know you were meant to do? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in a setting where it was just you and Nature for an extended period of time? Imagine yourself as a woman, alone on a horse, 500 miles from home… At age 54, Lisa Stewart did just that.  She set out to regain the fearless girl she once had been, riding her horse, Chief, 500 miles home.  Hot, homeless, and horseback, she snapped back into every original cell. On an extraordinary homegoing from Kansas City to Bates and Vernon Counties in Missouri, Lisa exhausted herself, faced her past, trusted strangers, and stayed in the middle of her frightened horse to document modern rural America, the people, animals, and land. The result was a compelling and uplifting memoir,  The Big Quiet—One Woman’s Horseback Ride Home. Today we visit with Lisa Stewart, author, adventurer, horsewoman, as she shares some of the details of her journey, and experiences of connecting with the Creator through Nature. You are in for a special adventure today! Come on in…

S6 E131 · Fri, December 23, 2022

Ep 131 Calm and Bright

Far too often we pay attention to the loud and brash, which tend to have little meaning, while overlooking the important things that are taking place so quietly and humbly just outside the corner of our eye. ~ Erik Stensland “Whispers in the Wind”   At different points in our lives, the Christmas holiday season is marked by stress and anxiety, overwhelm, overindulgence, undernourishment and sadness and depression.  For many, it is a hollow season of unmet expectations, disappointment and despair.  Instead of Joy we’re met with sorrow. Instead of Hope we carry anguish, self-blame, loss and regret… “If only I had done this…If only I had this… If only…” Why does this time of year, meant to be a celebration of Joy to the world and Peace on Earth, goodwill toward mankind, seem to bring the exact opposite?  How is it that we have created self-inflicted traditions that make us manic and weary, ultimately losing all sense of the true meaning of Christmas? In the frenetic hustle and bustle of the holiday parties, frantic last-minute shopping, holiday meal-planning, cooking, baking, overeating, under-sleeping, short tempers and long-distance guilt-tripping, is it even it even possible to find, return to, or better yet, create a world that is Calm and Bright? What does that even look like? And how do we get there? The external world begins with the internal world. It doesn’t happen by accident.  That’s for sure.  Nowadays, more than ever, there can be found an enormous Resistance in the form of distractions and side trails of every kind, be it cell phone, television, bombarding advertisements, bad news, divisive politics, threats to health, Social Media and beyond.  You know what I’m talking about.  There is no escaping the fact that this Resistance looms over and challenges each and every one of us day to day, moment by moment, until we either bend and break under its pressure, or we strengthen and grow like an athlete purposely training with weights and calisthenics. Sadly, for the average person, it is “unnatural” to slow down.  It is outside of the norm to find, and create for oneself that deep inner peace and calm which generates Hope for a bright today, (let alone the possibility of a better tomorrow).  Before we attain it, we have to believe it exists.  We have to desire and pursue it.  We have to resist the Resistance and seek it like a man whose hair is on fire seeks a lake.  We have to be intensely focused and intentional in our pursuit of it.  This means being brave enough to say “No” to much of what society calls tradition.  It means being perpetually mindful and awake.  It means being brutally honest with ourselves, asking hard questions like, “Is there a better, more meaningful way to celebrate the holidays?”  Something that will bring more peace and calm and treasured memories for years to come?”  “Is there a better way to look at gift giving?” “Why did I choose

S6 E130 · Sat, December 03, 2022

Ep 130 - Mirrors in the Earth with Asia Suler

“Nature is hungry to interact with us. It wants connection…if you take one step, the world rushes in to meet you.” ~ Asia Suler One of my favorite aphorisms is “Affirm Truth wherever you find it.” It’s a philosophy I have more recently come to hold dear and try to live by every day that I’m alive, because I’m finding that as I seek Truth, capital “T”, on my own “Hero’s Journey” as Joseph Campbell would put it, I am stretched a little out of my comfort zone. There was a time in my younger days where I felt like I really understood it all, and pretty much knew what Life and the Universe was all about. But I began grow stagnant, dull and unteachable, putting God the Creator in a box, and not allowing for any more wisdom, ways of looking at the world, or growth to take place. Black and white leaving no room for mystery or deeper scientific revelations. I’ll be honest, the old self would have been a bit threatened by today’s conversation. Probably because I wasn’t secure enough in my own beliefs and relationship with myself or my Creator. I no longer feel that way, but trust that as I listen to that still, small voice, I can hear the call of wisdom, and courage and love, and hopefully impart it with diligence to those in my sphere of influence. I am very pleased to share today’s guest with you. She is a writer, herbalist, earth intuitive, and the guide behind One Willow Apothecaries— an online hub for learning, healing and connecting with the living world. Combining science with spirituality, she teaches how connecting with the Earth can change everything. In the last decade, she has worked with over 20,000 students, and shares that if she has learned anything, it is that we are at a turning point in this world, and empaths and sensitives are here to midwife that change. Asia Suler is a kind, wise and beautiful soul, and I believe you will really be blessed by today’s conversation with her. So without any further ado, let’s welcome Asia Suler to Mountain Zen Den. Come on in…

S6 E129 · Thu, November 24, 2022

Ep 129 Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, is the day before Thanksgiving, and as I intentionally stop and breathe and just Be, one word comes to mind. Thankful. This past year has been a year of Growth and Gratitude for us. We just want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for choosing to be on this journey of Mindfulness in Nature at Mountain Zen Den, and we pray for your continued growth and well-being. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year because everything hinges on Gratitude. Without it, life would ultimately be an empty series of drab days coming and going with no meaning or purpose. Without it, we are unable to see or appreciate the beauty and wonder found in the Natural World that surrounds us. And it is everywhere ... In the haunting call of the geese overhead as their wings beat the chill fall air. In the warmth and scent of pine needles, hot chocolate, cinnamon and the crackling fire radiating from the wood stove. And in the light shining in the eyes of the ones you love who are gathered around the table. We are invited to live in the moment, receive and be grateful. This Thanksgiving as you contemplate all the blessings the past year has brought, may you find Joy in the simple things — Tranquility in your heart — and Love in the family and friends who surround you.   It’s a great day to be alive, and it’s a great time to slow down a bit and practice presence and awareness. Today, we’re going to do something we’ve never done before here at Mountain Zen Den. We’re going to revisit an early episode and meditation called “Cultivating Gratitude. I rarely go back and listen to these podcast episodes, but I thought this one was unusually pertinent seeing that we just celebrated veteran’s day and tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Sort of a no brainer… So now as we dig into the evergreen archives I invite you to sit back and receive the goodness and benefits of the gift of Gratitude. Enjoy! "With Thanksgiving only a couple weeks away, I think it’s appropriate that we revisit the concept of Gratefulness and Appreciation; that we practice cultivating Gratitude. When we slow down enough to get out of autopilot, and actually stop and look around – while there are probably lots of things we would like to change in the world and especially in our lives - there is way more to be grateful for than to complain about. It’s all where you put your focus. Having just celebrated Veteran’s Day here in America, I think of these incredible war heroes who come back from serving their country with only half the body parts they left with, and their attitude and focus is on gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve. They’ve decided to concentrate their energies on what they can do vs. what they can’t. Their focus and determination, and especially appreciation for all the wonderful, and truly important things in life are so inspiring. These are my heroes. The ones who give thei

S6 E128 · Mon, November 21, 2022

Ep 128 - The Forest of Faith with Chris Highland

What does it mean to be a “Freethinker”? Today, we meet with one who calls himself  “The Friendly Freethinker” — Chris Highland. A skilled presenter, Chris Highland has given public presentations, taught classes and led retreats for congregations, business groups, high schools, universities, social service workers and youth leaders.  He has taught in Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Unitarian, secular and other settings.  His educational style is engaging and inspiring, drawing students or audiences into an active participation in the subject. He is a deep and thoughtful Nature-lover and author of two dozen plus books inspired by writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and naturalist John Muir. In this episode Chris shares the concept of the “Forest of Faith” and “The Landscape of Belief” inspired by the Wild World of Nature all around us.  He also discusses the importance of being present with animals and people alike, and encourages us to truly listen, not just with our ears but with our hearts. Finally, I believe you will love how Chris beautifully reminds us through the writings of Emerson, Muir and Thoreau, that because we are Nature, no one can ever be completely disconnected from Nature.  C’mon in…

S6 E127 · Sat, November 12, 2022

Ep 127 - Living an Awakened Life on Planet Earth with Peter Mayer

Welcome to the Mountain, and another Fireside Friday here at MZD where we meet with guests and share heart-to-heart the joys and benefits of the natural world for mindfulness and personal transformation, naturally! Hey Friends, Brett Wilson here – your host and Trail Guide at Mountain Zen Den, encouraging you to connect with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth – naturally! Come on in… Minnesota singer/songwriter Peter Mayer writes songs for a small planet--songs about interconnectedness and the human journey--songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and other important stuff. But I love the fact that he writes insanely beautiful songs about spiritual awakening, oneness with the world, and deep connection with Nature. His music has been performed by artists like Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, and Darryl Purpose, to name a few. His work has been included in songbooks, church hymnals, and folk radio playlists across the country, and he is the recipient of fellowships from the McKnight and the Bush foundations. He has eleven plus albums to his credit, and to date, has sold over 100,000 of them. Today, I am so excited to be sharing a conversation Peter and I had recently, discussing Nature, Spirituality, and everything in between. His Nature-inspired imagery, music, and the stories he tells, so resonate with my heart, and reflect what Mountain Zen Den is all about. You are in for a very special treat, and I don’t want to make you wait a moment longer, so lets just jump right in, C’mon! SHOW NOTES/LINKS: Peter Mayer - https://www.petermayer.net/ Peter’s New Releases on Bandcamp - https://petermayer2.bandcamp.com/ Ursula Goodenough – Religious Naturalism - https://religiousnaturalism.org/ursula-goodenough/ Rev. Marc Anderson – Buddhist Chaplain at the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

S6 E126 · Mon, November 07, 2022

Ep 126 Finding Your Purpose

Welcome to the Mountain! Hey Friends, Brett Wilson here – your host and Trail Guide at Mountain Zen Den, encouraging you to connect with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth – naturally!  Come on in… How are you?  I am so excited to be back with you after an extended hiatus, where we have taken some time to get away, plan, and restructure things at the Den. There is so much to tell you, and I cannot wait to share with you all the incredible human beings and resources we have been meeting and curating just for your well-being and personal development. We are starting a new season here at Mountain Zen Den.  Can you believe it?  Season 6!  Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to face some personal challenges, (aka personal growth opportunities — as do we all), doing some deep thinking, strategizing, re-purposing, and making new friends with some truly wonderful and inspiring people.  We’ll be introducing them to you in the next several episodes — musicians, writers, documentary wildlife filmmakers, deep thinkers and spiritual healers — all beautiful souls who are deeply in touch with the natural world.  Stay connected… you are in for a real treat! The challenges, struggles and processes over the past few months have helped me realize more than ever how very short life is, as Michael Singer, author of Living Untethered points out – and I quote, “Sitting on a planet through vast outer space for a handful of years — in the broadest sense, this is the human predicament.  Earth has been here for 4.5 billion years, yet each of us is limited to roughly an eighty-year ride on the planet, give or take a few years.” Well, I have committed to using what’s left of my eighty or so years to not only Grow to become to become the very BEST version of myself, my inner Daimon, to use the Greek word for it, but to take a whole bunch of like-minded folks along for the ride — in fact, on a Joy-ride, a Hero’s Journey through Nature.  So if this sounds like you, and you haven’t already, I invite you to join the Mountain Zen Den Community by subscribing at mountainzenden.com.  You’ll get updates and information, and a whole mountainful of resources in our Blog Cabin newsletter. There is so much goodness and positive things happening out there that we’d like to share with you to help you in your journey for Personal Growth and well-being.  I’ll just mention a couple of them today, and you can learn more and find the links to them on our resources page at MountainZenDen.com/Resources. Finally, I’m excited to share some personal news.  Over the past couple of years I have been writing a book based on some of the nature-based life lessons learned, insights and personal observations I have made relating to Nature and Personal Growth.  The working title is, Grow You  —

S5 E125 · Mon, May 16, 2022

Ep 125 On the ANT (Autism Nature Trail) with Gail Serventi

Here at MZD we talk all the time about the beautiful healing powers of Nature and the importance of connecting with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth… Well today we’re going to take you on a beautiful Nature trail in Letchworth State park about an hour south of Rochester, New York. Shaped like an ant from a bird’s eye view, this trail offers a first-of-its-kind experience in nature designed for visitors on the autism spectrum – but appropriate and enjoyable for all abilities and ages. It is designed to encourage inclusivity and skill-building, combat isolation, and provide a connection to the natural world in a deep nature setting that is welcoming to all. We had a delightful conversation with Gail Serventi, who along with co-founders Susan Hernstein and Loren Penman tirelessly nurtured the ANT to life as it’ three “aunties” and champions in planning, fundraising and seeing it through to completion. What makes this trail so unique is that it was specifically designed with those on the Autism Spectrum (ASD) in mind. It is no secret that Nature has been clinically proven to have a powerful effect on the mind, body and spirit, and the ANT has taken full advantage of her natural and holistic benefits. A little more information about autism, and how this trail benefits not only those on the spectrum, but the neurotypical as well. It is fascinating stuff, bringing hope and practical application to a world of beautiful human beings who are struggling to be heard and understood. Perhaps the first introduction to autism many of us had was through the movie “Rainman” starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, where Cruise, who plays a wheeler-dealer, meets his older brother, played by Hoffman, who is an autistic-savant living his life in a mental institution. What follows is a heart-warming story where two very different worlds collide on a cross-country trip that will change their lives forever. It is said that this breakthrough Hollywood film established a new standard for the realistic representation of autism. It is important to understand that not all individuals on the spectrum are savants who demonstrate extraordinary abilities with math and memory. But classic autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges with social communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviors. Disrupted routines and things such as loud noises, certain foods and even textures can rapidly bring about aggression, agitation and an intense meltdown to those with autism. The good news is, Nature has been shown to have a beautiful, calming affect on these individuals. Thus, the significance and beauty of the ANT, (Autism Nature Trail). So now with that in mind, on to today’s show. Just a heads up… As you probably know, sometimes in the world of podcasting, (as with life in general), “schtuff” happens, and we lost the first minute or so of our introduction with Gail Serventi, so we’ll just dive r

S5 E124 · Mon, April 25, 2022

Ep 124 Cultivating Self Mastery

“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” ~ Lao Tzu   The ancient philosopher, teacher and Stoic, Epictetus said, “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.” It takes wisdom and the habit of thoughtful effort to discern the difference.  The things that are within our control are simple and few, but powerful! Our own opinions and behaviors (basically, our responses to outside events and stimuli) Our aspirations and desires The things that repel us He goes on to say, “It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can’t control that inner tranquility, and outer effectiveness become possible.” We are all likely, familiar with the AA Serenity Prayer – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Serenity, courage and wisdom; three powerful and effective self-mastery tools we can all learn to use to sharpen and apply to every area of our lives.  If you a were person who could practice living this prayer from moment to moment to moment, you would be an extraordinarily wise and happy person who has attained self-mastery.  Whether you want to lose weight, learn to control you tongue, or even start a business, self-mastery is the key. Believe me, I know this is no easy feat!  Thomas a Kempis asks, “Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself?”  And then he goes on to assert, “This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.” I mentioned the ancient stoics, men like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius.  These extraordinary human beings grasped this concept and lived it in their daily lives.  They knew and understood what it meant to struggle.  They were warriors of the mind (vs. librarians of the mind).  They were super engaged in their society and dealt with struggles and challenges beyond what most of us have to face. The Stoic, Epictetus was born a slave, and had his leg broken by his master. He remained crippled for life, and obtained his freedom somewhere in his twenties or thirties, after the death of Nero.  He acquired a passion for philosophy and received permission from his master to study under the esteemed Roman philosopher Musonius Rufus. Epictetus lived a life of great simplicity and eventually founded a Greek school of philosophy.  It was a strenuous curriculum, more like a gymnasium of the mind than an exercise in rhetorical studies.  He was a huge influence on Marcus Aurelius, who went on to become the emperor of Rome, and a highly influential Stoic philosopher in his own right.  During turbulent times, Aureliu

S5 E123 · Wed, March 30, 2022

Ep 123 Spring

Welcome to another Walden Wednesday , where we spend a few precious moments of our day to reflect on the beauty and goodness of Nature through some of the most enduring Classics ever written.  Literary gems by naturalists, philosophers, poets and thought leaders, like Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Muir, Enos Mills and Henry David Thoreau.  In honor of the change of seasons, today, we revisit Thoreau’s Walden in one of his thoughtful discourses on Life in the Woods; the chapter titled “Spring”. So put on a light jacket, and join me once again on the shores of Walden Pond…

S5 E122 · Sat, March 26, 2022

Ep 122 The Adventures of a Rocky Mountain Tour Guide

Welcome to another Fireside Friday here at Mountain Zen Den, where we take some time to share heart to heart the joys and importance of connecting with the natural world for mindfulness and Personal Transformation.  Naturally! Do you smell that?  That’s the scent of fresh mountain air here in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in the spring. In today’s episode we meet up with an awesome human being, my fellow Rocky Mountain Tour Guide, Ron Francis. Ron has a heart of gold that just shines his love and passion not only for Rocky Mountain National Park, but the real joy that comes from being able to share it with others.    Together we revisit some memories of a few of our favorite mindful moments spent with others in Nature, and share a typical day in the life of a Rocky Mountain Tour Guide. Ron is fast becoming a dear friend, and I am so grateful for his heart for others and for the beauty of the wild places.  It’s a great joy for me to welcome him to Mountain Zen Den, and to introduce him to you today.  Come on in and buckle up…You’re in for a fun ride!  

S5 E121 · Thu, March 17, 2022

Ep 121 Finding James Herriot

Welcome to another Fireside Friday here at Mountain Zen Den.  Come on in… Today we meet with veterinarian Dr. Michael Suit and author of the books, “Finding James Herriot” and the sequel, “Monkey Bars”, as he shares his love for people and animals, along with how he got started as a veterinarian.  He enjoys connecting with people and animals and shares his observations of how animals continue to keep giving back to us humans. He also shares the importance of having faith in yourself and of listening to your head and your heart in your journey of pursuing your dreams.  Finally, he discusses the importance of being brave, not comparing yourself with others, finding your happy place and going for it. I really enjoyed hearing his passion for history, reading, connecting with animals, and why he decided to become an author and write about his experiences as a veterinarian. Michael is an encourager with a great heart and all-a round great human being. I know you’ll enjoy this episode as much as I did!

S5 E120 · Wed, March 16, 2022

Ep 120 Cultivating Playfulness

 “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” ~ Albert Einstein In the art of living a full and beautiful, meaningful life, there is an element we don’t talk about nearly enough, or put appropriate value on, or even attribute to personal growth, and dare I say, “Success”.  And that is, the art of “Playfulness”. We see it in the natural world all around us — puppies and kittens, calves and goat kids, otters, beavers, dolphins, and children on the playground at recess, running and jumping, skipping and laughing — carefree and jubilant. I hear it every morning; our dogs begin each day with a stretch and a shake of their bodies, collars jingling, sending fur flying in the morning sunlight. They then begin mouthing each other’s necks and ears and muzzles, growling, barking playfully, whining and making the strangest guttural grunts and groans; expressions of happy play. The horses in the pasture will suddenly transition from gently nuzzling each other’s withers and manes to nodding and bobbing their heads, raising their tails, shaking their manes, and rearing up as if on the battlefield, bearing a fully armored knight in combat, then finally breaking into a wild gallop, charging around the field, hooves thundering, sending clumps of grass, mud, rocks and dust flying everywhere.  It is truly a wondrous sight to behold! Here in the Rockies I have seen full-grown Elk and Moose splashing and jumping in puddles and lakes in the most carefree and playful manor you could ever imagine. Melissa can rarely sit on the couch to write or journal, without out Pippin, our orange tabby, wanting to snuggle and snatch and grasp her pen as it moves across the page.  The urge to play is just too strong. Yesterday, while helping our daughter set up her new six-foot high cat tower for her kitten Zooey, we witnessed a hilarious and expressive display of playfulness.  No sooner had the parts been taken out of the box and the first of four levels partially assembled, when she went absolutely bonkers, scrambling up, over, in and around every corner and level she could find, only to be distracted by the dancing reflection on the wall and ceiling created by a cell phone being used to capture her antics on camera. But playfulness isn’t only for kittens and puppies and children. I am so blessed and grateful to be surrounded by friends and family who understand the value and importance of light-hearted playfulness.  Both of my grandfathers, my Dad, Uncles and Aunt, my wife, and numerous friends all have shared a loving spirit of playfulness as a serious part of life.  Synonyms for playfulness could include friskiness, high-spirited, and good-natured. I have a writer friend who, at least once a week, will reach out and send me an amusing and witty, playful text just for fun, as a way of staying in touch and making my day.  He will say things like – “My kids said they want a cat for Chris

S5 E119 · Fri, March 11, 2022

Ep 119 Why We Love the Mountains

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” ~ John Muir, Our National Parks For this Fireside Friday we talk about why we love the mountains. And about our “Disorder” There is something so invigorating, soul-awakening, renewing, restoring, refreshing and healing about being in the mountains for us. (That’s not the disorder). The disorder we have is the let down and sadness we feel as we head down out of the mountains. For both of us, it is actually physically depressing – altering our moods and making us long and ache for them. It seems that no sooner have we left them, that we then begin planning our next trip high up into the mountains to camp, climb, hike, or just simply Be... Perhaps you share the same disorder, and wonder exactly what the draws is to this beautiful topography. Today we share a few of the countless things we love about the mountains, and hopefully help make you feel like you’re there.

S5 E118 · Wed, March 09, 2022

Ep 118 The Beaver and His Work

Today on Walden Wednesday we continue reading Enos Mills’ classic, Wild Life On the Rockies. Mills was a huge nature lover and nature guide who lived in the late 1880’s, early 1900’s. He wrote his experiences and observations of the West, and mostly about his beloved Rocky Mountains. I love the chapter we are visiting today called, “The Beaver and His Works”. Here, Enos points out the antics, and importance of the beaver, a keystone species that supports the entire biological community. Without this industrious creature, our streams, rivers and landscapes erode and dry up, leaving an ugly, dry, barren land. Something to chew on for sure. Dam straight. Beaver dam that is! So sit back here by the stream and enjoy, “The Beaver and His Works” from Wild Life on the Rockies , by Enos Mills.

S5 E117 · Thu, March 03, 2022

Ep 117 Cultivating Humility

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” ~ C.S. Lewis You are to be thanked and congratulated you for being here!  Either as a regular subscriber and part of the MZD community, or maybe a first time listener, chances are, you are here for two reasons — you love Nature, and, you have a desire to grow and become the best possible version of yourself for Optimum Personal Transformation.  The Greeks had a word for this — Arete´, which roughly translates to Virtue or Excellence. Throughout the past several episodes, we’ve been taking a look at the concept of cultivating your “Garden of Well-being”; that is, intentionally and thoughtfully, mindfully seeking ways to weed out the undesirable thoughts, vices and habits in our lives, and to plant, nurture and grow more goodness, virtue, and excellence in its place; things that signify mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Things that aid us in becoming our best selves, and in turn, help make the world a better, more beautiful place to live in.  It’s kind of a no-brainer question really. “Do you want to want to be happy and reach your full potential in your life?  Or are you content to just be a mediocre version of yourself?” If you answered, “Yes, I want to live up to my full potential”, then good for you!  This is a sign of mental and emotional health.  To be discontented with mediocrity in one’s self is not a bad thing.  To want to be the healthiest human being you can possibly be should be the goal of every one of us.  Put another way, as Krishnamurti says, “It is no measure of your health to be well-adjusted to such a profoundly sick society.” Sadly, most of the planet has fallen asleep, and either doesn’t know, doesn’t care, or is afraid to leave their comfort zone to do something about it.  But not you.  That’s why you’re here.  You’re on a journey.  A quest to be your best possible self through connection with Nature. There is one caveat to all this personal growth stuff though.  And that’s pride and the feeling of being better than, or having arrived.  With pride comes stagnation and the unwillingness, or even the ability to Listen.  And when you no longer listen, and can no longer hear, you stop growing. That’s why today we’re going to talk about cultivating Humility.  Humility is a slippery, elusive and almost vaporous thing.  Like seeing an angel, or shadow out of the corner of your eye.  The moment you focus on it, think you’ve acquired it and the “piety” that comes with it, in that moment it begins to evaporate.  The fire turns to smoke and disappears into thin air.  “I’m proud of my humility!”   See what I mean? Rick Warren tells us that humility is not denying your strengths.  It is about being honest about your weaknesses.  C.S. Lewis put it another way, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself l

S5 E116 · Sat, February 26, 2022

Ep 116 Listening to Your Inner Guide

“True well-being is knowing, trusting, and following your inner guidance.” ~ Paul Hudon Today we meet with writer, speaker, columnist and author of the book, “Your Inner Guidance – The Path to Discovering Your True Happiness”, Paul Hudon.  Paul lives just 100 miles or so down the road from us here in Colorado, where, when he’s not writing and speaking, or walking in the woods with his dogs and his wife Jane, he helps her grow and sell flowers as a business.  Beautiful life… Paul is a kind and gentle soul, and he and I had a great time talking about his spiritual journey of how he discovered and came to trust his inner guide, his book, and the concept of listening in Nature.  I think you’ll really enjoy today’s show — Come on in!… 

S5 E115 · Thu, February 24, 2022

Ep 115 Story of A Thousand Year Old Pine

Welcome to another Walden Wednesday, where we spend a little time in nature reading the works of some of the greatest thinkers, naturalists, writers, and lovers of Nature the world has ever known. Authors like Emerson, Whitman, Muir and Thoreau. If you are a tree lover, I think you are really going to enjoy today’s time together as we read another chapter from Wildlife On the Rockies by the early 1900’s naturalist, wildlife photographer, and Nature writer, Enos Mills, in his fascinating chapter “The Story of A Thousand Year Old Pine”.   So sit make yourself comfortable and lean back against the bark of a wise, ancient friendly tree and listen to “The Story of A Thousand Year Old Pine”, from Wildlife on the Rockies , by Enos Mills, friend of John Muir and Father of Rocky Mountain National Park.

S5 E114 · Sat, February 19, 2022

Ep 114 The Mindfulness Journey

This Fireside Friday finds us exploring The Mindfulness Journey, and how it shapes who we are and where we wind up in life. We also discuss how Mindfulness and Nature are inseparable for us. The Mindfulness Journey is a return home… A few resources we mention include: “You Are Here” by Thich Naht Hanh “ Wherever You Go, There You Are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn “The Nature Fix” by Florence Williams “Vitamin N” by Richard Louv

S5 E113 · Wed, February 16, 2022

Ep 113 Cultivating Patience

Today we’re going to talk about… …Patience. Did you feel the tension in the pause, as your legs got jittery, your toes began to tap, and you wanted me to fill in the word and get on with today’s meditation? Patience is the heart of what mindfulness is all about.  It is the embodiment of living in the now.  We see examples of patience in nature all the time: Seeds planted in the soil take time to grow and stick their head above the soil, and bloom and grow and bear fruit and flowers and vegetables. (Clock time vs. Horticultural time). Caterpillars in cocoons take time to become beautiful, brilliant butterflies. Bees patiently gather pollen for nectar, one flower at a time. A tiny acorn becomes an] giant oak tree… Gestation period for newborns.  Humans – 9 months, Elephants – 2 years (That would certainly give you plenty of time to get little Dumbo’s room ready for sure!) And perhaps the best example of patience seen in Nature is found in water.  Canadian poet Margaret Atwood says, “Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” All of these examples in Nature are about growth and transformation of some kind.  When we can be in the moment, let go, and trust and allow – we begin to recognize that in its timeless, ancient wisdom, the Universe is unfolding right on schedule, and everything is happening exactly as it was meant to.  This brings an incredible peace that passes understanding. Patience is the kind and wise sister of persistence.  Together they make a killer combo in personal growth in getting what you want.  Especially when it comes to relationships. Patience is not only a virtue, but a very wise character trait to build.  Its opposite, Impatience , can cause road rage, start wars, bring financial disaster, ruin diets and even destroy relationships. The beautiful thing about patience is that there are opportunities every day and everywhere for us to practice it. Here are a few things you can do the next time you find yourself waiting in line or get stuck in traffic: First of all, take a deep breath in and remind yourself to be determined to remain in the moment and enjoy it to the best of your ability.  It’s a great exercise in building focus and mental fitness. Now imagine yourself 30,000 feet above the noise and stress and worries of the world.  Try to see the big picture.  The stars and planets aren’t worried or in a hurry, neither should you be

S5 E112 · Sun, February 13, 2022

Episode 112 - The Joy of Journaling

“My book should smell of pines and resound with the hum of insects … ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Welcome to another Fireside Friday here at Mountain Zen Den.  Come on in… Today we share one of our favorite Personal Growth tools – Journaling. aka – Scribing, memoir writing, keeping a diary… Ideas include: Why Journal? To slow down and observe and record your thoughts To better Listen For Healing (A cathartic exercise) To better understand yourself and the world To share your view of the world To record favorite quotes, authors and passages To remember how you were feeling To become a better, more honest and authentic writer To leave a Memoire or Legacy What kind of journal should I get? How to journal (We share a few tips and ideas) Keeping a Gratitude Journal A few of our personal journaling practices “The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray… ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Links to a few recommended books: A Life in Hand (Creating the Illuminated Journal) by Hannah Hinchman The Magic by Rhonda Byrne

S5 E111 · Wed, February 09, 2022

Ep 111 Colorado Snow Observer

Here are on this Walden Wednesday, we slow down and spend a few precious moments of our day to truly listen, to the thoughts, ideas, and writings of some of the greatest thinkers, naturalists and lovers of Nature the world has ever known. Writers like Emerson, Whitman, Muir and Thoreau. In today’s time together we continue our visit with adventure naturalist, wildlife photographer, and Nature writer Enos Mills, as he recounts his thrilling and exhilarating adventures as the Colorado snow observer in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, encountering avalanches, dangerous precipices, starvation and hypothermia by falling though ice into a freezing river, and even mountain lions and bears.  Always a stoic, he calmly treats these occurrences as just another day in the life of a Colorado Snow Observer.   So sit back and relax as we enjoy part 2 of the chapter “Colorado Snow Observer” the first chapter from Wildlife on the Rockies , by Enos Mills, friend of John Muir and Father of Rocky Mountain National Park.

S5 E110 · Sat, February 05, 2022

Ep 110 Meditation Made Simple

Want to learn how to meditate? It’s simpler than you may have thought. Today we share a bit about our personal meditation journey and practices, and offer a few practical tips that may help you with yours. We also discuss some ideas from a couple of wonderful books we have been reading lately by Hal Elrod, Michael Singer and Ryan Holiday. (See links below). Glad you’re here, c’mon in! Brett & Melissa “The Miracle Morning ” by Hal Elrod “Stillness is the Key” by Ryan Holiday "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer

S5 E109 · Wed, February 02, 2022

Ep 109 Cultivating Compassion

“Along with love, compassion is the face of altruism.  It is a feeling deep in the heart that you cannot bear other’s suffering without acting to relieve it.” ~ The Dalai Lama   We come together at MZD to connect with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth.  We talk about it all the time.  In fact, we have been focusing on, and training if you will, how to cultivate personal strengths and traits that we desire to see show up in our lives as the best version of ourselves… things like… Do you find yourself struggling in a specific area, (or areas), of your life and personal growth?  Perhaps, fear and doubt, anger, addiction, selfishness, pride or lack of compassion. If you said “Yes”, you are not alone.  I do too.  In fact, it is a common human experience that we all deal with.  Once we realize that, we can begin to lighten up on ourselves and start to practice a little Self-Compassion.  And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.  Cultivating Compassion. There is a whole string of character traits, qualities and disciplines we may choose to cultivate and master in our lives, but I can’t think of one any more practical and rewarding than cultivating compassion.  It’s what everyone craves, and what the world desperately needs. So what is Compassion? One definition of compassion is: (noun) 1. “A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” In his book, How to Expand Love , the Dalai Lama tells us that there are 7 steps to improving your ability to grow and share your love with the world. Recognizing friends Appreciating kindnesses shown to you in your past.  (Especially those past kindnesses of your early childhood) Returning Kindness when it has been shown to you Learning to love The power of Compassion Total commitment Seeking Altruistic Enlightenment Altruism is showing unselfish concern for, or devotion to the welfare of others. The Dalai Lama points out that to begin with, we need to accept that “the mind is fundamentally there much like the blue sky that exists behind dark clouds.“ We need to trust and see beyond or through the clouds all the goodness that is there. We have to overcome the tendencies to put others into categories, labeling them as “friend“ or “enemy“. This is how we practice what’s known as equanimity, that is, a mental or emotional stability; a calmness under tension or stress. Easier said then done.  Perhaps that’s why we start with Self-Compassion. How are you in the self-compassion department? The best way to answer this question is to look at the way we talk to ourselves wh

S5 E108 · Sun, January 30, 2022

Ep 108 Why Mindfulness? Why Nature?

“Now is now.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder We’re going to get back to the basics. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to wake up every morning to the amazing beauty and wonderful sounds of nature? We just got back from an amazing hike along Carter Lake and had our senses bombarded by the beauty and restorative powers of Nature… Links to Scientific Proof of the Restorative Powers of Nature We were reminded that there are things all around us everyday that would bring so much joy and happiness and peace if we would just take the time to notice them.  It’s called living in the Now. Now is all we’ve got.  Yesterday is gone.  Tomorrow hasn’t come, we just have Now.  And if you think about it, it’s ok.  We couldn’t handle anything more.  Nor would we want to.  Now is where we live and the only place we can find joy.  Notice we didn’t necessarily say “Happiness”. There’s a difference between joy and happiness.  Joy is a choice, it’s lasting – happiness is serendipitous, it comes and goes.  Joy is deep and underlying.  It sees beneath the surface the beautiful, lasting goodness of the Universe all around us.  The smell of snow or rain in the air.  The preciousness of your children sleeping in their beds at night or pups laying at your feet. Being in the now means being present to the little things as they occur all around you… When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you notice or are aware of? Try this tomorrow morning if you can remember – as an exercise in presence. If you wake up to an alarm, take note of its tone.  Probably annoying at first thought, but without judging, just notice it.  What about outside?  Is it daylight yet.  Are the curtains drawn?  Is the room warm? Pay attention to the details.  Feel the floor underneath your feet.  As you shower, just allow yourself to take in all of the delicious feelings and senses available to you – the hot water running over your body, the smell of your shampoo and soap, the sound of water hitting the tub or shower floor – does it sound a bit like rain or a waterfall?  The point is – enjoy all that is surrounding you, for these senses were given to you for just that reason – to enjoy! You can continue this process as you go about the rest of your day.  When you make breakfast, coffee or tea, notice the aromas, the flavor the warmth of the eggs, toast, bacon or oatmeal, the coolness of the orange juice, cereal or fruit salad. Same with doing the dishes, enjoy the hot, soapy water, the fragrance of the dish liquid, the process of cleansing… you get the idea. The things we take for granted, the mundane, the routine, the everyday – taking out the trash, driving to work, taking the kids to

S5 E107 · Thu, January 27, 2022

Ep 107 Colorado Snow Observer

Welcome to Walden Wednesday! Today we visit with naturalist and nature writer Enos Mills as he shares from the first chapter of his wonderful book, “Wild Life On the Rockies”. Relax in the mountain winter solitude and enjoy…

S5 E106 · Sat, January 22, 2022

Ep 106 Human Hibernation

Welcome to the Mountain! Every season has its purpose and has something to teach us. The Dead of Winter – Teaches us about Hibernation & Dormancy Dormancy: The state of having normal physical functions suspended or slowed for a period of time. The state of being temporarily inactive or inoperative -Dormancy is when living things such as plants are awaiting the necessary environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, etc. 4 TYPES OF DORMANCY Hibernation – low metabolic rate, reduced heart rate, slow breathing and lowered body temperature. Obligate hibernators – can sleep regardless of access to food and temperatures. Ex. European Hedgehogs, mouse lemurs, various ground squirrels & butterflies Facultative hibernators – hibernate when it’s too cold and the food supply decreased Ex. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Bears, squirrels, groundhogs, marmots, skunks, raccoons, opossums, dormice and bats are examples of mammals that hibernate.) Diapause – (Observed in all life stages of arthropods, like insects, common during egg and pupa stages. Marker by lower metabolic activity.) Aestivation – (desert plants & animals- low rainfall and high temps i.e. “dry heat”) Brumation- Dormancy in reptiles (only wake up to drink water and then go back to sleep) Can last 8 months. Triggered by decrease in daylight hours. (e.g. Snakes) Just like us, plants are deeply affected by temperature and sunlight. Plant growth slows as the day length slows, thus commencing the dormancy process. In today’s show we discuss the idea of slowing down in the winter.  Instead of fighting these feelings of being a little more tired than usual, we invite you to get into the flow with Nature and slow down a bit…go dormant, as much as possible until spring when there is more sunlight and the days start to grow longer.  And… use this dormant time to look back at past failures and successes and plan for future outings and hikes and camping trips, and other adventures!

S5 E105 · Tue, January 18, 2022

Ep 105 Cultivating Courage

What are you grateful for today?  What’s the first thing that comes to mind that you are thankful for? This is always a good place to start our meditation practice. On Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we celebrate the gift of Courage, for which I am truly grateful. If it weren’t for the courage of leaders like Dr. King, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and a host of unnamed others, so many of the freedoms and benefits and pleasures we enjoy today would not be available to us. Did you know that “Fear not!” is the most repeated command in the Bible?  366 to be exact; one for every day of the year plus leap year!  This should be en couraging .  Literally! So what is Courage?  What does it look like and how do we attain it? Let me start by saying, courage is not the lack of fear.  It is the willingness to act in the face of fear; an acknowledgment of the fear and then, “fearing not”, so to speak. Philosopher, Brian Johnson, founder and CEO of the company Heroic, and the creator of Optimize says, “Of all our basic virtues, courage is the one that helps us to live exactly the way we want and provides the psychological fuel we need to create, take risks, help others, and face hard times.”  Put another way, Socrates said that a person is courageous “whose spirit retains in pleasure and in pain, the commands of reason about what he ought or ought not to fear.” Courage comes from the Latin word for “Heart”.  And just like the heart pumps blood to your organs throughout your body, Courage pumps energy to your other Virtues of Well-Being. If you’re a regular listener to this podcast, you’ve probably made the decision to step out of your comfort zone to become the best version of yourself.  It takes courage to make the decision to set out on a new and risky adventure.  Like Indiana Jones, you don’t know what dangers await…be it quicksand, rockslides, poisonous snakes and precarious twists of the road…all the scary unknowns you will have to face on your journey of Personal Transformation, figuratively speaking of course.  But you have decided in advance to face those unknowns with courage.  Right? According to the “Indiana Jones of psychology”, Robert Biswas Diener, author of the book The Courage Quotient , the definition of Courage contains two primary internal elements: It is “The willingness to act, and the ability to control fear.” He says, “When you can successfully curb your fears, and boost your ability to take action, you are better able to live a full and virtuous life.  You are more likely to face challenges with grace, connect with and inspire others, and be a force for good.” If you are like me, and struggle with fear of one kind or another, I want to help you see that you have more courage than you realize. We need to look back in o

S5 E104 · Fri, January 14, 2022

MZD Ep 104 - Stay the Course - Lessons from a Mountain Climb

Great to have you here on a Fireside Friday at Mountain Zen Den. We’re almost half way through January!  So how are you doing with your goals? Today we discuss the concept of staying on course with your dreams, goals and New Years’ resolutions.  Here are a few tips and lessons learned from our mountain climb on Mt. Elbert – 14,440’ above sea level, Colorado’s highest peak. A few of the points that came up: Plan ahead Pack and Prepare well Enjoy the Journey Keep the Goal in Mind but remember, ultimately, the Journey is the Goal It’s about “Who is the person who attempts and accomplishes this amazing thing?” Beware of False Summits Be tougher than your dream (Don’t give up) Hercules & Epictetus Remind yourself of your “Why” Celebrate the Victories Stay the course! Oscillate with your natural rhythms. Remember…the Buddha says, “A pot is filled drop by drop.” Optimize with Brian Johnsonhttps://www.opti mize.me/

S5 E103 · Tue, January 11, 2022

Ep 103 Cultivating Transcendence

“The awakening of consciousness is the next evolutionary step for mankind.” ~ Eckhart Tolle´ “The key to growth is the introduction into higher dimensions of consciousness.” ~ Lao Tzu It’s good to have you here for another Meditation Monday.  I know you probably have a very busy schedule, like most of the planet…  Thanks for showing up. So how’ve you been? Are you having a good start to your New Year? Or are you finding it difficult to maintain or keep up with your New Years’ resolutions? If so, I’ve got good news.  You’re not alone.  You may find today’s show quite helpful.  We are going to be talking about the concept of Transcendence. Continuing on with our series here at Mountain Zen Den where we’ve been discussing the concept of cultivating what we call your “Garden of Well-being”…That is, traits and qualities you would like to develop and have in your life; things like Gratitude, Love and Simplicity, Joy and Tranquility; developing an appreciation for Beauty, and a sense of Wonder.  Last week we talked about cultivating Wisdom.  Now we’re going to try and put it all together, and talk a bit about “how” we do this.  In the midst of life’s struggles, sometimes it can be really hard to maintain our focus and stay the course.  “I don’ feel like showing Gratitude, or Faith, or Love or Joy when things aren’t going my way.” So how do we do it?  We do it through Transcendence. What is Transcendence? I like to think of Transcendence as allowing oneself to rise above the mist and clouds of doubt and confusion and obtain a 30,000 foot view in order to live in a new understanding of life with joy and grace and ease.  It is a complete surrender and trust in that new perspective or lens through which we choose to view the world. In their book, The Inner Work – An Invitation to Freedom and Lasting Happiness , Mat & Ash, (also known as the Yoga Couple), break down the work of Dr. David Hawkins, best known for his book Power Vs. Force and The Map of Consciousness , which is a proven energy scale to actualize your ultimate potential.  Deep, exciting, heady stuff, I’ll admit, but simply put, a proven method to becoming your best self. It was Abraham Maslow who said, “That which a man can be, he must be.”  You and I were created with a purpose in mind, and until we begin working toward realizing that purpose, we will never be completely free or happy.  That, my friend, is what the Inner Work is about.  And as the name suggests, it is work, but as you strive to become the best version of yourself, there comes new, powerful joy and energy, transforming you into that which you were made for; Clark Kent becoming Superman, so to speak. So step into the phone booth and let’s begin…   As we start on the journey of personal transformation, we encounter the limiting themes of consci

S5 E102 · Sat, January 08, 2022

Ep 102 Getting Your Nature Fix on Ridiculously Cold Winter Days

Great to have you here on a Fireside Friday at Mountain Zen Den. Winter is definitely here!  Today Melissa and I discuss and share some tips, thoughts and ideas on how to connect with Nature on really, really ridiculously cold winter days. A few of the ideas we talk about include: How do you define “Nature”? Grounding/Earthing The benefits of simply looking at trees and other Nature Starting an indoor herb garden Creating a Nature niche Reading Nature books Watching Nature movies Putting together nature puzzles as a family Setting up a tent in your house for “indoor camping”! Listening to the sounds of Nature Taking a “Nature Memory Walk” Do Nature sketches, artwork and journaling  Forest-scented incense and candles Studying Nature Field Guides Be in the moment with your pets and generate oxytocin Buck up, dress appropriately, and get outside anyway! Links to a few suggested books: Healing Trees – A Pocket Guide to Forest Bathing by Ben Page Nature Anatomy – The Curious Parts of the Na tural World by Julia Rothman <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/The-Nature-Fix-Florence-Williams-audiobook/dp/B01MTA3MBF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QBNB3WP96MJD&keywords=the+nature+fix+by+florence+williams&qid=1641679235&s=books&sprefix=the+nature+fix%2Cstripbooks%2C115&sr=1

S5 E101 · Thu, January 06, 2022

Ep 101 Happy Bird Day!

Here are on this Walden Wednesday, we are celebrating National Bird Day by taking a few moments out of our day to slow the heart and mind down enough to truly listen, and absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of great thinkers, naturalists and lovers of Nature like Emerson, Whitman, Muir and Thoreau. And then, as always, we give you a little time at the end to just “Be”, in a natural environment, and settle into a deeper state of awareness as you go through your day, fully-awake, fully-present, alive and intentionally growing into becoming your best self. Today we are visiting the writings of one of my heroes - naturalist, wildlife photographer, and Nature writer Enos Mills, who lived at the base of Longs Peak, one of the highest mountains in Colorado. Widely regarded as the “Father of Rocky Mountain National Park”, he worked and fought hard for the legislation that, in 1915, eventually won the preservation and protection the 415 square miles of paradise in the Colorado Rockies that now make up what is the 10th oldest, and now the 3rd most visited national park in the U.S. This was all due to a “chance” meeting he had as a young man with the wizened old nature sage John Muir, who inspired and encouraged him to establish Rocky Mountain National Park, considered by many to be the “Crown Jewel” of the national park system. Mills went on to not only take on Muir’s advice, but he wrote about the beautiful mountain wilderness of the area and its wildlife that he loved and treasured so much. It was said of him that he was a kind of evangelist of the wilderness, and that when he preached the gospel of the wilds, you were convinced of the sincerity of its divine invitation.   Today we will visit with Mills in a passage from his book, Wildlife on the Rockies , (one of my favorites), titled “Bob, and Some Other Birds” . Something to consider as you listen, is Mills’s heart for educating people about the preservation of our precious wild lands. In fact he coined the term “Nature Guide” and is the founder of the nature interpretive program widely used by our rangers today. So now, in honor of National Bird Day , I invite you to sit back and enjoy this passage from Wildlife on the Rockies , one of his 18 beloved nature books. I love how he poetically reveals to us the “brave pines”, and the eagles soaring in the “quiet bending blue” sky over the Rockies. May you be inspired by the beauty and intimate connection with birds and nature that Enos Mills so greatly treasured.

S4 E100 · Sat, January 01, 2022

MZD - Ep 100 Ten Things You Can Do to Improve Your Life Right Now

Hey Gang, so glad you have joined us today, because this is an exciting day for us here at MZD!  Not only are we celebrating our 100 th episode, but it is also our first Fireside Friday where we sit back here in the Zen Den, as we like to call it, and have a chat with writers, and naturalists, artists, musicians and great thinkers and lovers of Nature, all for the purpose of personal growth through connection with Nature. And I’m especially pumped to be introducing a very special person in my life, the only other person I know personally who is as crazy about Nature and wildlife as much as I am, and who I am crazy about – my Best friend, my wife Melissa… And together, we are just a little more crazy than we are apart, which you will definitely pick up on in today’s episode, as we share a few tips and ideas that we’ve been learning that have helped us immensely in this past stretch, especially since the pandemic hit. Well there happens to be a beautiful snow falling outside today, so grab your favorite beverage or hot drink, and come on in and have a seat by the fireplace on our first Fireside Friday as we talk about Ten Simple and Practical Things You Can Do Right Now to Dramatically Improve Your Life. Ten Things You Can Do to Improve Your Life Right Now   Meditate Do Affirmations Visualize what you want Excercise Read Personal Growth Books Journal Get Quality Sleep Move regularly throughout your day - 10,000 steps per day Eat healthfully Get Outside and Enjoy Nature! If you want to learn some Meditation Basics you can check out MZD Episode 79 – "How to Meditate" "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod  

S4 E99 · Fri, December 31, 2021

MZD - Ep 99 Cultivating Wisdom

In the most recent series here on Mountain Zen Den we’ve been talking about cultivating what we call your “Garden of Well-being”… Today we will discuss cultivating Wisdom in our lives. What does this mean? What picture comes to mind when you think of wisdom?... (Socrates, Aristotle, King Solomon, Confucius, Gandalf, Dumbledore, Yoda…“wise you are”, or maybe an owl…) What does Wisdom look like? And why do we need to cultivate it anyway? Wisdom has been defined as: “Knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.” Meaning, it is Life Experience thoughtfully reflected upon, and then lived. It is the ability to make thoughtful observations, that is “If…then…” assumptions, to see the end outcome, or result of good and bad choices and decisions, and then make the right decision. So how do we cultivate Wisdom in our Garden of Well-being? You don’t have to be an old, white-bearded sage to begin cultivating Wisdom. (Especially if you’re a woman). It begins with Listening; truly listening, observing, thinking and reflecting on what is true and right, and then acting accordingly upon that observation. If you can do it once, you can do it again, and then again and again until it becomes a habit, and then a personality trait, until one day you find yourself acting upon Wisdom on a regular basis, flourishing in your wise choices, and as a result, are happier than you’ve ever been. That is how you cultivate Wisdom. Where can you find these traits of Wisdom in your daily life? A good place to start is by reflecting on the Ancient Wisdom of the natural world…as seen in the endless changing of the seasons, the inner workings of the Universe, the planets and stars in their orbit, the stillness of the deserts, steadfastness of the oceans, the joy and flow of rivers and streams; in the continual growth and peace found in forests and woodlands; in the freedom of birds in flight and all wild things of the Earth; and even in our bodies, and the miraculous principles that allow us to procreate, give new life, grow, walk and run, and heal, and think, and work and play… Wisdom is a 30,000 foot view. It is not only about gaining life experience, but about slowing down enough to stop and consider. To ponder and discern what is really going on and what really, truly matters in life. It is about returning to a Foundation of what is real vs. what is prevalent in the world today, and can only be seen with the eyes. True Wisdom looks like Mindfulness. And mindfulness begins with presence and awareness found in meditation. The Jewish king, Solomon who is often referred to as the wisest man who ever lived sought wisdom as a jewel or treasure. He spent his life seeking it in pleasure and work and in building things, and not withholding one desire from himself. In the end, as he writes in the book of Ecclesiastes, he says that “Everything is

S4 E98 · Wed, December 29, 2021

The First Principle in the Science of Getting Rich

Great to have you here on Walden Wednesday at Mountain Zen Den, where we intentionally carve a few moments out of our day in a relaxing nature setting. We do this for the purpose of slowing the heart and mind down enough to truly listen, and absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of great thinkers, naturalists and appreciaters of Nature like Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau.  And then at the end we give you a little time to just “Be”, and settle into a deeper state of awareness as you go through your day, fully-awake, fully-present, alive and intentionally growing into the person you desire to become. In today’s reading we will visit with American New Thought writer Wallace D. Wattles as he writes, “ The First Principle in The Science of Getting Rich”. He Says, “The purpose of Nature is the advancement and unfoldment of life,” and he posits the idea that “you can render no service greater to God and humanity than to make the most of yourself, and you can’t do that if you’re poor;  A great question to ask as you listen is “What does getting rich have to do with mindfulness in nature?” Or better yet, maybe the question is, “Why is it important that I be rich, and what can Nature teach me about abundance?” Two very good thoughts to keep in mind as we listen to today’s reading. So now, I invite you to take a deep breath and enjoy a passage taken from the classic, The Science of Getting Rich , by Wallace D. Wattles. This reading is from Chapter 4, “The First Principle in The Science of Getting Rich”.  

S4 E97 · Sat, June 19, 2021

MZD - Ep 97 Perpetual Morning

Great to have you here for another Walden Wednesday! It’s all about intentionally carving a few moments out of your day in a relaxing nature setting in an effort to affect the quality of our lives. We do this by slowing the heart and mind, down enough to absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of naturalists and appreciators of Nature like Emerson, Whitman and Thoreau. And then at the end we give you a little time to just “Be”, and settle into a deeper state of awareness as you go through your day, fully-awake, fully-present, alive and intentionally growing into the person you desire to become. In today’s reading we visit with Henry Thoreau by a stream near Walden pond and ponder the question, “How can I simplify my life to the point that I am Awake and mindfully Aware each and every moment of my day to a Perpetual Morning”? And… “What would that look like”?” So now, I invite you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and enjoy a passage taken from the classic, Walden: or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau. This reading is from the chapter, “Where I lived, and What I Lived For”.

S4 E96 · Mon, June 14, 2021

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 96 – Cultivating Abundance

In Episode 82 we introduced the concept of Cultivating Your “Garden of Well-Being”. Those qualities in your life that you desire to have more of, and that would help make you a better person. Things like Presence and Gratitude, Hope and Faith, Love and Simplicity, Joy and Tranquility, Beauty and Wonder, Health and today’s subject – Abundance. Today we’re talking about cultivating a spirit of abundance and What Nature Teaches Us About Wealth & Abundance. Money is generally the first thing that comes to mind when people think of wealth and abundance. But having riches, that is, being wealthy and having abundance in your life is so much more than having a lot of money in the bank and accumulating things. Gifts and resources such as health, freedom to live and love as we choose and have the time to pursue and enjoy them, along with family, friends and other relationships and associations… these are all signs of abundance in our lives. And we should pursue and enjoy them with unceasing gratitude! That being said, there is nothing wrong with accumulating and having a lot of money. American new thought writer Wallace Wattles reminds us, “To be really rich does not mean to be satisfied with a little if you are capable of using and enjoying more. The purpose of nature is the advancement and development of life. Every individual should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life…The desire for riches is really the desire for a richer, fuller, and more abundant life.” Jesus said, “I came to give you life, and life more abundantly.” Look at the world that was created. There is not just one species of bird, fish, animal or tree or flower fungus. But a countless variety that is continuing to change and grow and evolve over time. Even the rocks themselves display an amazing array of characteristics, colors, densities and the like - Granite, gneiss and schist, igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary. Think about it, there’s not just one life zone, ecosphere or habitat, but a multitude – cool luscious woodland forests, wild, cacophonous jungles, vast open plains, sweeping prairies, rich living deserts, babbling brooks and rolling rivers, endless blue, green and gray oceans… Not one star but billions and trillions and quintessagazillions beyond what the eye can see! (I just made that word up by the way…). You get the idea, whether you zoom out or zoom in, you begin to comprehend abundance and combination of resources in our lives and at our fingertips… In the natural world, there is always more than enough, and more being renewed day by day. But the order of the world and the way life works often means we need to work with, appreciate and cultivate these resources. The original meaning for the concept of Meditation meant – “To Cultivate.” Cultivate: - verb (used with object), cul-ti-vat-ed, cul-ti-vat-ing. to prepare and work

S4 E95 · Wed, June 09, 2021

MZD - Ep 95 The Meeting of 2 Eternities

Here at Mountain Zen Den, our Wednesday podcast features passages from Walden and other great classics that relate to cultivating the wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity found in the natural world as offered by some of the most influential naturalists, writers, philosophers and poets of our past. Walden Wednesday is all about taking a little time in our favorite nature setting on a regular basis to help still the heart and mind, and slow you down enough to absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of some of the greatest thinkers we’ve ever known. And then at the end we give you a little time to just “Be”, and soak in these treasures to settle into your inner being and hopefully, become a part of who you are as a fully-awake, fully-present, alive and aware, intentionally growing human being. Today, we pick up where we left off last Wednesday and contemplate what it really means to be a “Philosopher”, and the question, “Am I fully present for and living the life I desire and wholly believe in…fully present for the meeting of two eternities?” So now, I invite you to settle in and take a deep breath as we continue a passage from the chapter titled “Economy” from the classic, Walden: or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau.

S4 E94 · Mon, June 07, 2021

MZD - Ep 94 Cultivating Health

MZD Podcast – Ep 94   Welcome to the Mountain! Well how are you feeling today? Are you the picture of health you always dreamed you would be? Today we’re going to talk about cultivating one of the most important aspects of your being – Your Health. Our bodies are tied into our entire being and affect not only the way we feel, but our mind and the way we see the world and interact with everyone around us… that is, our relationships. Have you ever been “hangry”? Then you know what I mean! You’re not necessarily mad at the world or angry at the people around you. You’re just hungry with low blood sugar and it’s affecting your mood at that very moment. For Pete’s sake, (everyone else’s around you), eat something! Not only are our minds and emotions and relationships affected by our health, but our spiritual well-being is as well. You see, we cannot divide ourselves into fragments of being – saying things like, “Well, we are Spiritual beings, so the Spirit is the only thing that matters!” or, “The Mind is the most important thing, because without thought, there is no being”, or, “No, only the body matters because when the body dies, you die”. The truth is, we are all of those things, Body, Mind and Spirit, and the well-being of each affects the other. Alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra tells us in his book, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind ,   “The biochemistry of the body is a product of awareness. Beliefs, thoughts, and emotions create the chemical reactions that uphold life in every cell. An aging cell is the end product of awareness that has forgotten how to remain new.”   But how do we remain new? It’s a question posed daily, coming at us from every angle through ads and promotions offering anti-aging products, promising that if you buy this or try that, you will look younger, feel better, be sexier, and on and on. Books and magazines and TV show and movies glorify youth and beauty, jumping to the superficial rewards of taking care of yourself; things like glamour and popularity, sex-appeal and even fame, while apparently ignoring the underlying importance of health, well-being and longevity. So back to the question. How do we “remain new”? This is a very deep and involved subject that has been studied and written about in many articles, books and journals filled with hundreds of thousands of pages of research, tests and observations, breaking down the biology of the human body and how it ages, and what it needs for optimum health and performance. I know this is going to sound obvious or over-simplified, but in a nutshell, the answer is simply to live a healthy life. Our bodies were created to regenerate billions of new cells daily, and have been doing it since the day we were born. We know how to, we have simply forgotten that the way to cultiv

S4 E93 · Thu, June 03, 2021

MZD - Ep 93 What Do You Really

Welcome to Walden Wednesday on the Mountain! I want to reward you with something a little different than what we typically experience during our traditional meditation time. In past episodes we have occasionally shared passages from Walden and other great writings and literature, relating to cultivating the rich wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity found in Nature. In 1845, American naturalist, poet, writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau decided to try a grand “experiment”. In his own words, “I  went to the woods  because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I  came  to die, discover that I had not lived.” We’re going to offer more of these classics set in nature on a regular basis to help still your heart and mind, to just absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophy and writings of some of the greatest thinkers who ever lived.  And then we are going to give you a little more time at the end to allow these treasures to settle into your soul and perhaps become a part of you. As you listen to today’s offering, you might want to ask yourself this simple question. “What do I really need?”  

S4 E92 · Tue, June 01, 2021

MZD - Ep 92 The Drift

Welcome to Mountain Zen Den!   It has been a while, and much has happened since we last met here.   The entire world has changed.  Dramatically!  Yet, while there have been a multitude of anxiety producing events and uncertainty, if you zoom out and look at the big picture, you can see it has actually been a season of opportunity, of renewal, self-reflection, ad growth.  The possibility of change and revision… A “Re – Vision” . Today we're going to talk about what happened. We are not going to get into pandemics or politics or world events, or even masks, or viruses and vaccinations, or anything else that has occurred in the world over the past year. We’ve all had enough of that, and there’s not a thing we can do to change the past. We are here to talk about You .  What happened to you during all of this.  We'll do an honest self-assessment. Maybe you are not sure, and instead have just allowed yourself to drift. There is still hope and healing, light and love, and magic and wonder in Nature and the natural world around us, just waiting to be discovered, and re-discovered and enjoyed... It begins with a choice. A choice to let go and allow. The first step towards doing this is to decide to let go. The second is to change your surroundings. Now I want you to see that there is a major difference in getting lost and tossed about and drifting through the droughts and disasters of life, versus drifting with the current.  One is a despair and the other is a choice. There is power in choice. There is hope and power in a single step forward! Today, we are at a crossroads my friend – to give in to helplessness and despair and drift aimlessly through life, or to choose to allow and surrender to the flow.  We’ll get into the details on this topic in upcoming episodes, but for today, choose to let go of pain and suffering, knowing that you are no longer helplessly drifting, but have made the choice to get into the flow of life and have chosen to be the observer vs. the victim. Keywords – “Choice” , “Choose” and “Chosen” . So if you’re ready, let’s let go of all the pain and suffering of the past year, and choose to live the life we were made for through today’s meditation.  

S2020 E91 · Fri, January 03, 2020

MZD - Ep 91 Cultivating Wonder

“If I had influence with the good fairy… I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.” ~ Rachel Carson (Nature writer and conservationist) Happy New Year and Welcome to the Mountain! Come on in to Mountain Zen Den, where we inspire you to connect with Nature for mindfulness and Personal Transformation, naturally! The holidays are winding down and it’s time to get back to the routine and ruts of life as we know it.  Or is it? One of my favorite things about starting a new year, (and in this case, a new decade), is the opportunity to look back, assess what worked and what didn’t, and then to look forward, ask what is it that I want, and then make new choices, plans and decisions to get there...a fresh start, so to speak; or maybe just a fine-tuning adjustment.  Either way, a new year offers us another reason to be mindful.  And that’s a very good thing indeed. Over the last several weeks we have been exploring the concept of Cultivating Your Garden of Well-being, beginning with Presence and Awareness, Hope and Faith, Love and Simplicity, Joy and Tranquility, and even cultivating a sense and appreciation of Beauty, and all that that means. Today being the beginning of a new year, we are going to talk about developing and cultivating a sense of Wonder.   When was the last time you truly enjoyed a feeling of mystery, reverence and awe?   As a child, I remember Christmas in particular had this fascinating effect on me.  It wasn’t just the presents and the decorations and the lights…it was much more!  The magic of possibility – gravity defying reindeer-sleigh antics and chimney escapades, ghosts of Christmases past, present and future, snow gently falling on a silent night, truly making all calm and bright, and the Christmas story of a Divine Baby born in a manger, visited by shepherds and lambs and donkeys and angels, and wise men following a star.  Here was true mystery and wonder; God becoming a man?  How can this be? And then I grew up.  In many ways science, technology and travel have made the world a much smaller place.  If there really is a Bigfoot or Loch Ness monster wouldn’t they have been discovered by now?  Declining biodiversity and shrinking habitats for our beloved wildlife have made it even smaller. In his book “Feral – Rewilding the Land, the Sea, and Human Life” , author George Monbiot speaks of the human psychological need for the presence of large animals, and in particular, cats.  We’re talking mountain lions, tigers, jaguars and such. One of the most exciting

S2019 E90 · Sat, December 28, 2019

MZD - Ep 90 Cultivating Beauty

“…If you’re down to your final dime, can’t decide what else to buy to be happy You don't need a credit card to give your heart the beauty of the world..." ~ Peter Mayer Well the hustle and bustle of Christmas has come and gone, and it’s the end of another year.  Snowflakes are gently falling outside.   The presents have been opened.  The children are happily playing in the other room, and you sit with the one you love, sipping hot chocolate reading from a book with Currier and Ives prints, in front of the crackling fire, and breathe a deep sigh of contentment.  Sounds like a Netflix Christmas special doesn’t it? So your world doesn’t look like this?  What is it about this scene that appeals to us?  Aside from the peace and quiet that is finally here, what about this setting draws and attracts us like moths to a flame? Is it the beauty?  Beauty is an interesting thing. The preferences and specifics can vary and change to a certain degree, but I think it’s safe to say that we all long for and appreciate “Beauty”. Sunsets and rainbows, scenic landscapes, ocean views, rich forests and placid lakes all speak to us in a language of the soul. Music and nature sounds, like gently falling rain, babbling brooks, whippoorwills, chickadees, crickets and spring peepers all soothe and calm us with their beautiful melodies. Story and song, paintings, quilt-work, sculptures and woodwork, jewelry and even finely designed clothing are all a reflection of the natural world around us and, help bring purpose and meaning into our every day lives beyond just making a living so that we can put food on the table and a roof over our heads. As best selling author Joyce Carol Oates says, “Art is the highest expression of the human spirit”, and if that’s true, as artists, and appreciators of art, if you will, when we create and enjoy beauty, we are leaning into our highest selves and therefore transforming into better human beings.  There’s so much we could discuss about the power of beauty to help us transcend to new and glorious heights, but for the sake of time today, let me just encourage us each to take time to seek, express, appreciate and cultivate more beauty into our lives.

S2019 E89 · Mon, December 16, 2019

MZD - Ep 89 Cultivating Tranquility

“Work when there is work to do.  Rest when you are tired.  One thing done in peace will most likely be better than ten things done in panic…. I am not a hero if I deny rest; I am only tired.” ~ Susan McHenry So how are you holding up this holiday season? Are you tired of being told there’s only so many shopping days until Christmas? Maybe the stress of finances, (or lack thereof), the burden of work deadlines and family obligations are wearing you down.  Finding the “perfect” gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list can be so stressful. Or even worse, for many the holidays can be a very depressing time.  Health struggles, past memories, and the sadness of loss of relationships and loved ones make it especially hard to endure when everyone else around you seems so happy, alive and in love. What is so sad is, this is supposed to be the season of “Peace on Earth and good will toward all”, a time of “Joy to the World”, and at times it feels like anything but. We all long for a place we can retreat to from time to time for peace and quiet; a retreat for relaxation and tranquility.  As the stresses of life take their toll on us, body, mind and spirit, it becomes more important than ever to take time for ourselves to just breathe and “Be”.  Some call this meditation.  Others call it introspection, reflection or “quiet time”. Whatever you call it, the good news is you can take this gift, this place of inner calm and tranquility with you wherever you go. I know it’s a drastic statement, but it’s true!  Studies show that only a few minutes a day spent in mindful meditation, and in Nature can lower your blood pressure, significantly reduce your stress levels, elevate your mood and outlook on life, improve your cognitive functioning, and add years to your life. We have distanced ourselves from nature – the smell of wildflowers sage and pine, the feel of natural grass between our toes, and the texture of bark and sand and dirt, the scent of freshly fallen rain, the gentle gurgle of flowing forest streams, and the breath of wind through the trees.  We’ve lost touch with the natural world all around us; the calm azure sky filled with white dreamy c

S2019 E88 · Tue, November 26, 2019

MZD - Ep 88 Cultivating Joy

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you. A joy." ~ Rumi How are you doing today?  Are things going the way you want them to?  Are you living the life of your dreams?  Are you happy and content with your present state of being?  More importantly, is your life filled with joy in this very moment? If you can answer “Yes”, to this last question, then you are a very blessed individual indeed.  If not, no worries.  Join the other 99.9% of people on the planet.  That’s why we’re here today. We are going to explore some very practical ways to cultivate joy in your life and “Garden of Well-being. Have you ever really spent much time pondering how you might be able to be a happier person and live a more joyful life? Thich Naht Hanh points out, “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness.  If you are attentive you will see it.”    Well this bit of good news is truly encouraging… If we can learn to stay in the present moment. We would do well to remember however, that Joy and Happiness are two very different animals. Happiness is fleeting.  It is capricious, and depends on outer circumstances, events and situations which and can come and go at a moment’s notice.  Just so you know, there is nothing inherently wrong with happiness.  I hope you are filled to the brim with happiness in this very moment of your life.  On the other hand, let us consider Joy.  Where Happiness is a feeling which comes and goes, Joy is an underlying state of being .  Unlike Happiness, it cannot be contrived or captured.  It is like beautiful bird or butterfly: wild and free. You can’t catch it and take it captive.  You have to allow it land to on you.  You can’t try to hold onto it or it will die or fly away. Unlike happiness that can be “contrived”, joy is a state of mind, a reveling in the goodness of the present moment.  When you have learned to cultivate Joy you are filled with deep satisfaction, pleasure and elation in the now.  This means being content with whatever your situation, and recognizing a higher state than that of Happiness. So how does one go about cultivating Joy in one’s life? Well, at the risk of sounding like I am contradicting what I just said about not being able to contrive or capture or “make” Joy happen in one’s life, there are some things you can do to put yourself in Joy’s way. You are probably here today because you love Nature and spending time outside. Depending on where you live, as the

S2019 E87 · Fri, November 22, 2019

MZD - Ep 87 Cultivating Simplicity

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu Are you finding it a challenge to keep up with everything that is on your to do list?  Do you ever feel tired and exhausted, overwhelmed, under-satisfied and overworked just so you can pay the bills and find a little happiness in life?  Like Henry David Thoreau, I love a broad margin to my life. Simplicity can mean so many different things to people.  We go searching for it in exterior things.  - “If I could just de-clutter and get rid of all this junk in my life”.  Or, “If I just didn’t have to work two jobs to keep up!”  Or my favorite, “If I could just get away from all this madness to a cabin in the mountains for a weekend.” All of these longings and remedies are wonderful temporary solutions, but the truth is, Simplicity can be had right here, right now, and begins on the inside… Let me ask you, when was the last time you felt the joy of true simplicity in your life?  Was there ever a time when life felt calmer, less demanding, and more meaningful? Some of my favorite childhood memories are of visiting my grandparents in West Virginia.  It was about a two and a half hour drive, full of anticipation and beauty along the way.  I knew we were getting close when we would drive through Berkley Springs, pass the old haunted Berkley Castle and cross the Great Cacapon River.  From there it was only a few more miles down a country dirt road through the woods with no other houses in sight of it.  It felt like it was out in the middle of nowhere, and I loved it!  It’s where I learned to drive a car as a ten year old.  In fact, one of my favorite memories of visiting my grandparents was the time my father stopped the car in the middle of the road  about a half a mile before we got to their place.  I knew something big was up when he and my mom got out and he leaned in and said, “Go surprise Grandma!  We’ll see you there in a couple minutes.”   I couldn’t believe it!  This is a ten year old boy’s dream come true!  And yes, I believe Grandma was quite surprised to see her ten-year old grandson pull into her driveway driving a 1960-something black Chevy Corvair…  But then again, maybe not.  Times were simpler then. I treasure those memories of seeing Grandpa working in his workshop, and I'd walk in, and he would look up and ask, "What do you want?" "Nothin'!" I'd answer. And with a twinkle in his eye, in his characteristic humorous Grandpa fashion would say, “Well get it and get out!"  I also have fond memories of helping Grandma go out to the garden and pick green beans for dinner and making blackberry pie. And in her precious, Southern Virginian accent, would exclaim, "We're gonna have 'pah' for dessert!"  </p

S2019 E86 · Wed, November 20, 2019

MZD - Ep 86 Cultivating Love

“I believe three of the most important words anyone can say are not ‘I love you”, but I hear you’.” ~ Oprah ~ ~ ~ If you want to be your absolute best and function at top performance levels, you need time to pause, reflect, meditate and restore.  If you want to be present and give your absolute best to the ones you love and are depending on you, you can’t afford NOT to take a few minutes of mindful meditation to sharpen your saw and create a strong and healthy internal state that is able to handle any obstacles and stressful, difficult situations that may show up today. Meditation, (in nature especially), helps build your emotional immune system, strengthening it as a shield against knee-jerk reactions to unexpected problems and situations that can cause harm in our relationships.  Regular, daily meditation helps us emotionally disconnect from the problem, rising high enough above the situation to be able to think clearly and react calmly. How many times have you done or said something that you immediately regretted, all because you felt overwhelmed, over-stressed and under prepared?  Think how much pain and regret could have been avoided if we had just taken 10 or 15 minutes in the morning to fortify ourselves through silence, prayer and meditation.  Think of the relationships that could have been saved or protected from hurt and long-lasting damage if we had taken the time for ourselves to breathe, reflect, strengthen and nourish our spirits. This is why we are here today, and every day.  We set aside the time it takes to do the important things in our lives.  Prayer and meditation should be at the top of the list.  Especially if our desire is to cultivate Love in our personal "Garden of Well-being". As we prepare to do this, it helps to recognize the difference between like and love.  Love is over-promised and under-delivered.  It is an extremely overused word.  But more importantly it is confusingly misused.  Way too often when we say we Love something, we actually mean we Like it a lot. I can say I love pizza, I love watching movies, I love my dog and I love my wife.  Really?!  I love pizza like I love my wife?  See what I mean? Think of a garden of beautiful flowers.  If you Like these flowers you will probably lean down and smell them, and pick them to take home, and put them in a vase to enjoy for a few days.  But if you Love them, you will want to care for them, water them, weed around them and care for them.  You will do everything you can to protect them and help them g

S2019 E85 · Tue, November 19, 2019

MZD - Ep 85 Cultivating Faith

“The capacity to trust and so live with inner peace, contentment, and joy, is a Divinely endowed capacity written into the genetic code of your DNA.” ~ Dr. Steve McSwain Have you ever wished you could live every moment of every day like in joy and simplicity?  What would that feel like?  Well the truth is, you can.  Now some people will say, now wait a minute that’s just not realistic.  And I have to ask, “Why not?” I love the picture of the clock that shows, in place of the numbers 1 through 12, the word “Now”.  It is always “Now” and in this moment, this very moment, there are no problems, only situations.  It is the perfect time to be present.  So, welcome to this moment. If we are living in the moment of perfection, and stay in this moment without straying, (and that is the goal), we will always find peace and joy, and be living the perfect life, now, in the moment. Now in order for this to happen it requires a bit of faith and belief that it is even possible, but faith can be nurtured and grown.  We all have been given “a measure of faith”, but it’s what we do with it, and how we cultivate it that is important.  Last episode we talked about “Hope” and how it is a “feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best”; that is, something we “look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence”. So what is the difference is between hope and faith? Hope is the mother to Faith.  When cultivated, this feeling that what is wanted can be had, (that is – Hope), gives birth, awakens consciousness and opens the possibility for Faith to appear. Faith is defined as “confidence or trust in a person or thing… a belief that is not based on proof”.  The book of Hebrews in ancient scriptures says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”.  It is a substance just as real as any substance in the Universe.  Like the wind, you can’t see it, but it is there.  I can’t help but find a correlation between this substance spoken of in the Bible, and what author Wallace Wattles calls “thinking stuff” in his book, The Science of Getting Rich .  He says, “There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.  A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by this thought.  You can form things in your thought, and by impressing your thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing you think about to be created…” Wow!  That’s a pretty heavy statement.

S2019 E84 · Fri, November 15, 2019

MZD - Ep 84 Cultivating Hope

“Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all.” ~Emily Dickinson   Today we’re going to talk about hope.  What is hope and why is it important? Hope can be a bit complicated in today’s complex world.  Too often when asked if something good or positive is going to happen, we hear people say “I hope so…”, as if it probably won’t, but they’re going to wish for it anyway.  In context of what we are talking about today, wishing and hoping are two very different things.  Wishing is simply a sort of passive desire for a thing or state of being…   Wishing and and Hoping are two very different things. Hope is defined as “the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best”.  Another definition is, “to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence”. Hope is a positive expectancy , a proactive desire to receive.  It is a persistent emotion for the best.  It prepares the soil of the heart to receive all the goodness that it deserves, and when that goodness comes into being, Hope says, “See, I knew it all along!  I told you it would happen…” This is just a natural response when one has cultivated hope within. So how does one cultivate hope? One way that I have found to overcome hopelessness, which is obviously the opposite of hope, is to read stories of the struggles and victories of others who have been challenged. The greater the obstacles and challenges, the greater the victory.  Reading these kinds of stories and dwelling on the victories of others in the face of opposition can bring great hope and persistence into one’s life. Listening to uplifting, positive stories, songs and podcasts and watching inspiring movies and T

S2019 E83 · Thu, November 14, 2019

MZD - Ep 83 Cultivating Gratitude

“Acknowledging the good you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” ~ Eckhart Tolle   It’s a great day to be alive, and it’s a great time to slow down a bit and practice presence and awareness. With Thanksgiving only a couple weeks away, I think it’s appropriate that we revisit the concept of Gratefulness and Appreciation; that we practice cultivating Gratitude.  When we slow down enough to get out of autopilot, and actually stop and look around – while there are probably lots of things we would like to change in the world and especially in our lives - there is way more to be grateful for than to complain about.  It’s all where you put your focus. Having just celebrated Veteran’s Day here in America, I think of these incredible war heroes who come back from serving their country with only half the body parts they left with, and their attitude and focus is on gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve.  They’ve decided to concentrate their energies on what they can do vs. what they can’t.  Their focus and determination, and especially appreciation for all the wonderful, and truly important things in life are so inspiring.  These are my heroes.  The ones who give their all…and I mean ALL so that we can have a safer, more humane world. I never really thought of it before, but I find it very appropriate that we celebrate Veteran’s Day just before we celebrate Thanksgiving. If you are vet, and happen to be listening to this today, I want to say, “Thank you”!  From the bottom of my heart I am grateful and inspired by your sacrifice and giving spirit.  You make this world a better place and we truly appreciate it. Gratitude isn’t just a state of mind or of being, it is a Gift.  The spirit of Gratitude comes with its own blessings.  The more we appreciate, the more we are able to receive.  Gratitude opens our hearts for an abundant harvest of goodness in all areas of our lives.  Th

S2019 E82 · Wed, November 13, 2019

MZD - Ep 82 Cultivating Presence

“The whole essence of Zen consists of walking along the razor’s edge of Now.” ~ Eckhart Tolle   So how are you doing today? Are you in a good place? In spite of circumstances or any situation you may find yourself in. Even when things are going well, do you sometimes find yourself experiencing an underlying unease or restlessness? Sometimes we find ourselves feeling a certain level of unexplainable anxiety, boredom or nervousness, a background static that is always there. This is our minds in a habitual resistance to the present moment. It is like the hum of an air conditioner or machinery that, when the sound ceases gives enormous relief. The reason our mind doesn’t want to live in the present has to do with our ego, which lives only in the past or the future. The ego, or false, illusory sense of self, as we call it, is often intimately connected with problems as a form of identity. And these problems can only be in the past or in the future, never in the present moment. How crazy is that? Wanting to identify with problems versus just Being in the moment certainly sounds like a mental disorder. So in our daily living, and in particular, our meditation, we choose to live in the present moment, because there is no ego attached to the present…to the Now. Tell me, what problems do you have right Now, in this present moment? Sure, you may have what we call a situation that needs to be dealt with, but that is not a problem. It is either something you deal with, and it’s taken care of, or…you learn to accept it, and forego the suffering that comes from identifying with the “Problem”. Suffering and problems need time, they cannot live in the Now. I love the way Eckhart Tolle puts it in his classic book The Power of Now . He states that the reason the mind habitually resists and denies the Now is   “Because it cannot function and remain in control without time, which is past and future, so it perceives the timeless Now as threatening. Time and mind are in fact inseparable.”   By the way, this is why we practice meditation, to distance ourselves from time and our minds to better realize the fact that we are not our minds…only observers of them.   Tolle goes on to say, “Imagine the Earth devoid of human life, inhabited only by plants and animals. Would it still have a past and a future? Could we still speak of time in a meaningful way? The question ‘What time is it?’ or ‘What’s the date today?’ – If anybody were there to ask it – would be quite meaningless. The oak tree or the eagle would be bemused by such a question. ‘What time?’ they would ask. ‘Well of course it’s now. The time is now. What else is there?’”   At first, this concept of living only in the Now can boggle the mind because for eons we have learned to only live in what we call “Clock Time”. But once we grasp th

S2019 E81 · Mon, November 11, 2019

MZD - Ep 81 Plant Something

"A seed, dropped into the ground, springs into activity, and in the act of living, produces a hundred more seeds.  Life, by living, multiplies itself.  It is forever becoming more; it must do so to continue to exist.” ~ Wallace Wattles   As you’ve probably begun to notice, this inner tranquility doesn’t just happen automatically.  You’ve got to show up and put yourself in a place where you can receive the benefits of meditation which lead to restoration and relaxation we all so desperately need and deserve.  But the BEST part of mindfulness and meditation, is that it leads to a renewing of the person doing the meditation.  It helps us grow and become a more complete individual, capable of contributing to the world around us in big and small ways to help others and make it a better place than it would be if we had never been awakened and become aware and alive.  Sort of like George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life , who gets a chance to see the difference he made in the lives of those he loved, and the community around him.  If you think about it, it’s a pretty amazing thing to be invited into this adventure called “Life”! I believe that each of us have been given a task, a mission, and journey, if you will, to discover our life purpose, and then pursue it with (everything we’ve got), with our whole being. I’ve got to believe that this is the reason for our self-inflicted addictions, and for the restlessness of the soul, the emptiness that we try to fill with so many meaningless and even harmful (things).  We have this God-given, universal need to grow and become more, to pursue and obtain Personal Transformation, in order to realize all that we were meant to become for the good of all mankind, and the Earth, and Universe we inhabit. In his book, The Science of Getting Rich , (don’t let the title fool you), Wallace Wattles declares, “The object of all life is development… The purpose of nature is the advancement and development of life.”   The apostle Paul put it another way, when he said,   “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Maybe if we can initiate this renewal, and tap into personal development, we will begin to realize the kind of change that leads to growth greater than our boredom, pain, addictions, fears and frustrations. But where to begin? Ah, we begin by stilling the mind long enough to Listen. It’s simply called…wait for it… Meditation! To the Greeks the original meaning for the concept of Meditation meant – “To Cultivate.”   Cultivate: - verb (used with object), cul-ti-vat-ed, cul-ti-vat-ing. to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.   <

S2019 E80 · Fri, November 08, 2019

MZD - Ep 80 Meditating For Energy

"Energy and persistence conquer all things." ~ Ben Franklin   Would you like to have more energy for even being able to keep up with your daily tasks? Do you find yourself too tired to enjoy life or even be able to think clearly or keep up with your simple, ordinary everyday tasks? Then it’s time to meditate. Every day you and I are faced with so many energy drains that just tend to suck the ever-lovin’ life out of us, leaving us feel weak and drained – unhealthy relationships, deadlines, traffic, health concerns, budgets and financial worries, and the list goes on.  While much of this is a normal part of everyday life, there are areas where, through taking  initiative and responsibility to affect positive change, we can avoid some of these energy drains altogether. And then there are those other challenges that we just have to deal with, and this takes reserves of energy we may feel we simply don’t have at the moment. This is where time spent relaxing, or exercising in nature, combined with meditation, can have a wondrous affect!  The more we spend time in nature meditating, the more we become aware of the energy that surrounds us. It is a known fact that time spent meditating and connecting with your “Energy Center” deep within can help bolster your energy levels.  This all begins with awareness.  Aware of how you are feeling, thinking and behaving.  This energy, sometimes referred to as Qi, Prana, or Kundalini, is our God-given life force that lives  and moves throughout our physical body. When we meditate, we begin to become aware of and cultivate this natural life force and boost our energy from the inside out and even increase our over-all health.  We are building up our nervous system stamina, so that we are not so reactive to circumstances and events happening around, these things that are so apt to drain our energy if we allow them. A word of advice here though.  Proper exercise and diet are a mandatory place to start.  Also, if you find yourself falling asleep as a normal part of your meditation practice, you need to get more sleep! If you’re having trouble falling asleep, there are many things involving nature you can

S2019 E79 · Wed, November 06, 2019

MZD - Ep 79 - How To Meditate (The Basics)

Let’s get back to the basics. Today we’re gonna learn how to meditate. You may be thinking, “This is the 79th episode of MZD and you’re just now telling us how to meditate?! Too often people make a r eally big deal about meditation, complaining that it’s just way too hard, or discouraging, or that they don’t have enough time to meditate. So we’re going to take a few minutes to squash those objections and then…we’re gonna meditate. J So what is Meditation…really? Well, broken down to its simplest form for our purposes, Meditation is an intentional pause in your day to simply stop all doing and enjoy Being. We do this by simply breathing. “But wait you,” say, “Isn’t that what I do all the time? I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t breathing!” Yes, but are you AWARE of your breathing. Can you slow that busy brain of yours (sometimes called “monkey mind”), down enough to separate yourself from the constant barrage of thoughts long enough to just observe them and allow them to go by without being attached to them? Reminder here – You are NOT your thoughts. “Thank goodness”, I hear you say, “’cause if I was, I’d be in big, BIG trouble!” Me too! No, meditation is a good tool and reminder for us that we are not our thoughts. In fact, mindful meditation gives us the opportunity to simply “Observe” our thoughts, ruminations and busy brain activities, long enough for us to get a much needed reprieve from them and to be able to look at them objectively. In fact, when meditating, the goal is for you and I to acknowledge them without judgment and simply say, “Hmmm, that’s interesting.” There are also numerous health benefits to meditation, such as lowered heart rate, blood pressure and clearer thinking, but the end result is always a higher quality of life. It’s about “Self-Awareness” – Your body, your thoughts and motives and energy and state of being. And finally, to those of us who feel that we don’t have enough time in our day to meditate, relax. You can meditate for any reasonable length of time. In fact, you can even do one- minute meditations throughout the day, or even once a day, in order to help lower your stress, restore your balance and clear your thinking. Bottom line – You can’t afford NOT to meditate simply due to the jump in productivity you will receive as a result of meditating.

S2019 E78 · Tue, November 05, 2019

MZD - Ep 78 Showing Up

You again?! How do you like being greeted like that? Don’t take it wrong, I’m glad you showed up! In fact it says a lot about your heart and character, your desire to be present, and hunger for personal transformation – that is, making positive changes in your world. The time you take to consistently, show up and start your day with intentional, focused mindfulness, presence and awareness is the most important ten minutes of your day. This sets the tone and direction for your next 24 hours, and the more you show up, and consistently, purposefully spend time meditating in Nature (so to speak), creates new neural pathways in the brain and helps you form new habits, that over time literally change you from the inside out. This is so crucial in being able to handle tough situations and day-to-day stress and anxiety. In my meditation practice, I’ve noticed over time, when rough situations arise that normally would stress me out, now often feel a bit more removed and manageable, as if I am observing them from above, rather than in the middle of the smoke and fire of battle. I don’t tend to take things so personal. It’s a good feeling. This is a result of growing as a part of a consistent meditation practice. It’s called personal transformation, and begins the minute you show up! So congratulations on doing something 99% of the world doesn’t do, and isn’t even aware of – being present.

Fri, November 01, 2019

Mountain Zen Den - Ep 77 The 3 Soul Questions

Episode 77 - The 3 Soul Questions (A Dialogue With the Universe) “Your own reason is the voice of God himself which speaks to you and all mankind without an interpreter.”   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson   It’s important to ask questions. There’s a scientific, psychological reason that we need to do this if we want to grow. When you ask questions you set into motion the thought process of solving a problem. Like a dog chewing on a bone, the mind is constantly working on solving problems and answering questions. It’s what the brain was designed to do. That is why it is so important to ask the right questions, Some questions are simple and have simple solutions: “What am I having for dinner tonight?” Or “What time do I need to get the kids to their soccer game”? But then there are the BIG Life Questions. The deep ones that, for one reason or another, we may tend to avoid. As we go into this meditation we are going to ask The 3 Soul Questions…probably the most important questions you will ever ask yourself in this life. So as we dive into today’s meditation I will help guide you into having a dialogue with the Universe, and then encourage you to simply Listen as you sit in silence and breathe. Don’t worry if no answer comes to you immediately. There is no need or place for anxiety here. The truest, deepest, most meaningful answers will come in time. You can rest assured in that. In today’s meditation we ask The 3 Soul Questions : “Who am I?” “What do I want?” “Why am I here?”  (In other words, “What is my meaningful contribution to the Universe?  Why am I here?  How can I serve?”) Don’t worry if the answers don’t come to you in this meditation.  Just ask the questions and allow them to sink deep within, trusting that your soul and the Universe, the Supreme Being, or your Creator, whatever you choose to call It, will work this out together.  Remember, it is a dialogue.  Ask and then Listen.

S2019 E76 · Fri, January 04, 2019

Ep 76 Quantum Creating

Welcome to the Mountain! Have you ever heard the term Quantum Creating? It is what you and I are doing when we basically “visualize” something into existence. What is Quantum Creating?  Now don’t worry. We’re not jumping off the deep end here into Woo Woo Land. What I’m about to share here dates back to DeCartes, Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Steven Hawking. It is so exciting to learn about the recent studies of what science has been discovering regarding the nature of reality.  The evolution of the understanding of Quantum Creating has taken giant leaps within the last decade or so.  You see, there is a Universe of infinite possibilities whereby we can create the world of our dreams.  The concept is extremely deep, and yet quite simple.  When we begin using our (subjective) mind to have an affect on our (objective) world, we are “Quantum Creating”. Where it really starts to get good is when you learn to focus on what you want, instead of what you don’t want.  In his book “Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” Dr. Joe Dispenza points out, “The observer effect in quantum physics states that where you direct your attention is where you place your energy.”  And that means basically that you get what you re looking for.  Do you see why just a little earlier I asked you to stop and focus your energy and attention on the natural world around you?  When we begin to understand the science behind quantum creation and apply its truths to every area of our everyday lives, we almost immediately begin to see change for the good. That is, if we set our focus and intentions on “the good”.   Let’s take this into the world at hand. For instance, say you want to learn how to play a new instrument, lose a little weight, gain a little muscle tone, or even learn to lower your heart and respiratory rates a bit. There are measurable, definable actions you can take to create the end result you are looking for.   For most of us, the problem isn’t the one-time change. The problem is maintaining the change that gave us the positive results.   Why is this?   Dr. Dispenza posits that we can use our minds to create our reality. He says,   “Over time, (this could even be decades for many of us), our “mind-bodies” have created a chemical cocktail that is set and maintained by a complex system of neural pathways that are wiring and firing, without us having to even think about it.   This chemical cocktail is our “mind-body’s” normal state of being and makes us feel comfortable and familiar – at home – so to speak, even if it is a negative setting or unhealthy state of being.   Unhealthy states of being such as guilt, anger, fear and helplessness are all habits we have learned, owned, cultivated, allowed and maintained as a way of “being” and even identifying ourselves by. The ego

S2019 E75 · Wed, January 02, 2019

Ep 75 Getting Your Nature Fix On A Cold Winter's Day

On my writing desk sits a plant I named Emerson. He’s just a little guy not even a foot tall, including his pot. He’s a Pachira aquatica, also known as the money tree, Guiana chestnut, or saba nut. Emerson comes from Miami, Florida, a place much warmer than where he now lives.   The two things I love most about him, (not trying to be sexist here, he could be a her, except I named him Emerson), is that, first of all, he has four miniature trunks that have started to be molded into a beautiful braid, ending in beautiful green lanceolate leaves that grow in clusters of 3 to 5 leaves per stem.   The second thing I love is that due to the fact that he is a tropical tree thriving in wetlands and swamps, he is virtually kill-proof – pretty much immune to over watering. These dudes love water so, if you’re like me, you don't have to worry about any over watering disorders you may have, due to the fact that you underwatered all the plants you tried to grow in the first half of your life.   The reason he sits on my desk is that he has a job; and that is to inspire me and help give me a “Nature Fix”. Especially on days like today when it’s literally 12 degrees outside and my dogs look at me like I suggested they jump off the deck of the Titanic when I open the door and ask them if they want to go for a walk.   Emerson sits on my desk next to the books that I am currently enjoying, and he doesn’t seem to mind when I touch his leaves whenever I have the impulse or need to get a little nature-fix.   We all need Nature. It’s just that some of us feel the need more urgently than others. If you are looking for a way to feel close to nature in the dead of winter, you might consider buying a few indoor plants and studying and learning more about them. (A favorite hobby of mine is growing and killing bonsai trees. Not that I particularly enjoy killing them, or purposely try to neglect them – in fact I love them and think that they are so inspiring and beautiful. It just seems that as a collective, most bonsais are really particular about their owners, and would rather commit suicide than put up with an ignorant and irregular watering schedule. Still, I do have a particularly good relationship with a large Juniper named Mr. Miaggi that has seemed pretty happy in our household for the past couple of years. So I haven’t completely given up hope yet for my life as a bonsai caretaker!)   Here are a few other ideas for getting your “Nature-fix” on a cold winter’s day –   Taking a trip to your local library, Barnes & Noble, or other cool bookstore and hanging out in the Nature section. If you have a good collection already, you might try studying a field guide or reading a great nature book or novel set in nature. (A few examples include – “The Nature Fix” by Florence Williams, “The Nature Principle” by Richard Louv, any book by Annie Dillard such as “Pi

S2019 E74 · Tue, January 01, 2019

MZD Ep. 74 New Year's Decisions Vs. New Year's Goals

Happy New Year! Welcome back! Yes, it’s been quite awhile since we last met here at Mountain Zen Den. And while a lot has happened, I’ll save some of the details for upcoming shows, but just so you know, all is well, we’re back and better than ever, broadcasting from the foot of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful snowy Colorado here on New Year’s Day.   I’ve heard from so many of you thanking us for creating this mindfulness in nature podcast. I really appreciate the gratitude you’ve expressed, and all the encouraging messages and stories about how you’ve been inspired by the meditations and insights offered here. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you!   For those of you who’ve been asking if we were going to be doing more shows? The answer is, Yes. We are picking up where we left off with even more of a focus on helping you tap into Nature for mindfulness and personal growth in your life – Naturally!     But first off, more than ever before, we really want to emphasize, inspire and encourage you to become the best version of yourself. Imagine what the world would look like, and how we could impact our families and friends, our community, our country and the planet if we all made the decision that in 2019 we would choose to become the best version of ourselves, whatever that was!   In his classic, “The Road Less Traveled”, psychiatrist and best-selling author M. Scott Peck opens with this enlightening statement –   “Life is difficult. This is a great truth. One of the greatest truths.”   Sounds discouraging doesn’t it? But he gives hope in the very next sentence.   “It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.”   And that’s the point of today’s episode – transcending the difficult by purposeful decision making. Learning the difference between making Decisions vs. setting Goals. So let’s jump right in.   How do we transcend the road blocks, difficulties and tough situations that seem to suddenly appear once we have set a goal to be or accomplish something? Have you ever noticed that? This reality has caused millions to give up before they even start, or just as bad, to not set any goals at all.   But there’s good news. Rather than set a goal, why not make a decision?   Life coach and best-selling author Tony Robbins points out that “the minute you make a new decision, you set in motion a new cause, effect, direction, and destination for your life. You literally begin to change your life the moment you make a new decision.”   Whereas, on the other hand, New Year’s resolutions and goals have come to be associated with failure after the first month, week or even day after they have been made, a decision is a done deal when you have absolutely committed to achieving something. Onc

S2018 E73 · Mon, May 14, 2018

MZD - Ep 73 Inspired By Nature

“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the Universe, to match your nature with Nature.” ~ Joseph Campbell There’s no denying it. One of the best qualities about Nature is its ability to inspire. Think about it. Things don’t inspire Nature. People don’t inspire Nature. We can affect and impact Nature, but all inspiration comes from the Design and the Designer. Not the other way around. It is the Original. Why is this? Why are we so moved and potentially transformed by the natural world? What is it about Nature that is so stirring and uplifting…? When you find yourself in a wild and beautiful, natural place like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Napali coast of Kauai, or maybe even a wildlife preserve or national forest closest to your neck of the woods, you cannot help but find your mind and spirit elevated several notches higher than usual. It’s like the lid has been taken off of your old self, and you are able to see the world and the entire Universe for what it truly is – a place that has been designed for us in which to enjoy and grow in, and reach our full potential - an endless incubator of creativity and expansion, advancement and personal improvement. If you find yourself drawn towards the healthy, inspiring, restorative benefits of God’s great creation, you’re not alone. Here’s a reminder of a few well-known people down through the ages who were inspired by Nature – Aristotle, Isaac Newton, Thomas Jefferson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt, Einstein, Darwin, Monet, Ansel Adams, Jacque Cousteau, John Denver, and even more recently writers and celebrities like Cheryl Strayed, Mariel Hemmingway and Oprah Winfrey. Not only does Nature inspire people, but it has inspired inventions and architecture.   Some inventions inspired by Nature include – Velcro from burdock burrs with their hooks and catches Natural water filters through biological membranes Adhesives from gecko feet Highly efficient wind turbines simulating wake vortices produced by schools of swimming fish Bacteria-repelling surfaces for hospitals, bathrooms and restaurants from shark skin LED’s (light emitting diodes) from fireflies, and The Japanese high-speed bullet train gets it’s design inspiration from the highly aerodynamic kingfisher, just to name a few.   Architectural wonders that have been inspired by Nature include – The Beijing National Stadium – Nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest”, this inspiring structure will once again host the 2022 Winter Olympics. New Delhi’s dreamlike Lotus Temple with it’s 27 marble petals arranged in groups of three to form nine sides opening to heaven. The spiraling Helix Bridge in Singapore, inspired by the double-helix

S2018 E72 · Fri, April 20, 2018

MZD - Ep 72 Happy Earth Day To You!

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” ~ Robert Swan Welcome to the Mountain… Here at Mountain Zen Den, as a community, we’re all about living a beautiful, fully-present, healthy, natural (Nature-based) Lifestyle - not only getting back to the Earth, but giving back to the Earth as well. Nature is the most generous and giving friend when fully appreciated and taken good care of. If you had your choice, would you rather live in a stagnant, man-made plastic world or a healthy, vibrant, clean and natural one?  Sort of a no-brainer, I know. Astonishingly, we humans have become weapons of mass destruction. Why do I bring this up right now?  Well, this Sunday, April 22nd is the 48th birthday of internationally celebrated Earth Day! This year’s Earth Day Theme is “End Plastic Pollution”. From the Earth Day 2018 website: Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health! Help End Plastic Pollution by finding out how many plastic items you consume every year and  make a PLEDGE  to reduce the amount. Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics.”   Here’s a few statistics to blow your mind and bring you up to date: According to the American Museum of Natural History, since the first Earth Day in 1970, our population has doubled from 3.7 billion to nearly 8 billion people on the planet. We are emitting 2.4 times more CO2, causing temperatures to rise. Sea ice has melted 13.3% decline per decade causing sea levels to rise 10.8 cm higher worldwide. Sadly, wild animal populations have shrunk – Land animals by 38%, marine animals by 36%, and fresh water animals by an alarming 81%! Since 1970, over 170 animal species have been declared extinct. And we are currently losing over 15 billion trees each year.  That’s 56 acres of forest every minute! But there’s hope.  On the flip side, in many ways our world has also changed for the better. President Richard Nixon signed the clean air act in 1970.  Even as we’ve used 44% more energy, driven 184% more miles, and seen our economy grow 246%, key pollutants have decreased by a whopping 71%! New cars, buses and truck are 99% cleaner. And unleaded gasoline means over 90% less lead in children’s blood since 1970. In 1972, the U.S. banned the chemical insecticide DDT. Since then bald eagles have returned from the brink of extinction. In 1987, the world banned CFCs, (Chlorofluorocarbons used in aerosol sprays), which were depleting Earth’s ozone layer.  As a result, ozone-depleting emissions are now down 98%, and the ozone layer has stabilized and begun to recover, preventing an estimated 2 milli

Bonus · Fri, April 13, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 71 A Day in the Life of a Mindful "Citizen Naturalist"

“We can never have enough of Nature.” ~ Henry David Thoreau Welcome to Day 21! If you've been following along, congratulations, you did it! For the past 3 weeks we have been on a journey of discovery; one of mindfulness, inner peace, personal growth, and health and well-being through time spent in and with Nature. This is only the beginning. The purpose of this 21-Day Challenge has been to encourage you to create a new habit of getting outside everyday, viewing the natural world through new eyes. You’ve learned to daily cultivate “Beginner’s Mind” for the purpose of renewing your outlook and restoring your soul. Hopefully it has helped open your eyes to some things you may not have noticed before and given you fresh perspective on life and the natural world around you -a world full of life and hope, inspiration and encouragement, beauty, and limitless possibilities! If you weren’t already, perhaps without realizing it, you are becoming a mindful "Citizen Naturalist". I kind of like that term. It means that you love nature, care about the planet, and are actively looking for opportunities to take personal action to protect and participate in nature. You tend to do things like join organizations like the World Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club or the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Whenever possible you walk or bike rather than taking the car. You recycle, have bird-feeders in your yard and may even participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Basically, you’re a passionate fanatic about Nature! Great! Me too! So other than that, what does a day in the life of a Mindful "Citizen Naturalist" look like? If you’ve been following the challenge on a daily basis, you pretty much already know! Here is a general outline of what that life may look like. (Yours may differ a bit, but the principles remain the same). Wake up with intention. Shower and get dressed and ready for the day with gratitude and mindfulness. Spend 5 to 20 minutes meditating. (Morning and evening) Prepare your coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch with Beginner’s Mind, fully-present and enjoying each moment. Enjoy at least twenty minutes outside walking, running and living in the moment, noticing, observing, appreciating and sharing the experience with others. Work, study and play with gratitude and mindfulness. Take mini-breaks during your work time to get up and move around, do a 5-minute meditation, think of something you are grateful for, and regularly ask yourself, “Am I present in this moment?” Spend time with family and friends truly listening and being fully present and in the moment. (This means all screens, including the TV, should go “Bye-bye” for at least a significant portion of this golden time together.) <a href= "https://el2.convertkit-mail2.com/c/preview/08hr43nla9/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubW91bnRhaW56Z

S2018 E70 · Thu, April 12, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 70 Energy & Abundance

“Abundance is not something we acquire.  It is something we tune into." ~ Wayne Dyer “Today’s show is brought to you by Nature - kid-tested, mother approved!” Welcome to Day 20! How would you like to have a limitless supply of energy and abundance? Guess what?  Nature is its own natural resource with a limitless supply of energy and abundance!  Who knew?! Think about it.  Solar power, wind and water, coal, wood, petroleum, all provide incredible sustainable, and renewable sources of energy.  Shoot, you can make a battery out of a potato! And when you look at the planet, in spite of the way we treat it, yields an abundance of fruits and vegetables, grains and nuts and dairy and meat sources.  Natural resources abound on this planet! The way the Universe, and our world in particular, has been designed, it has everything it needs to stay in perpetual motion, providing all food and water, fresh flowing air with oxygen regeneration…if we would just learn to work with it and not against it. It’s been said that if we covered 9% of the world’s ocean surface with macro-algae (seaweed forests), we could produce huge amounts of biomethane (also known as “green gas”) that would be enough to replace all of today’s needs in fossil fuel energy, while removing 53 billion tons of CO2 per year from the atmosphere, restoring it to its pre-industrial levels, while increasing sustainable fish production. Also, if we could capture just 0.1% of the ocean’s kinetic energy caused by tides, we could satisfy the current global energy demands 5 times over!   By working with, and tapping into Nature we can solve all the problems we created and then some.   On a more personal level, Tony Robbins has said, “Where focus goes energy flows.”  And to that I say, “Amen!”, especially when our focus is on Nature. You have to admit, when you sit around all day on the couch just watching TV or reading Marvel comics magazines, you begin to feel drained, listless and exhausted; especially if you’re dealing with stress, extraordinary difficulties in life, and feelings of depression - Your boyfriend dumped you, your dog has the measles, and you had to turn away the pizza delivery guy because you didn’t have enough of a balance on your 4 th credit card… It’s hard to motivate yourself to get up and do som

S2018 E69 · Tue, April 10, 2018

MZD - Ep 69 Tranquility

  “If your mind is still… you can sense the peace that emanates from the earth.” ~ Eckhart Tolle ​ Welcome to Day 19 ~ Tranquility Here at Mountain Zen Den we are on a quest for love and simplicity, joy and tranquility, and energy and abundance through Nature. Each of these gifts can be found separately and together, as we seek to stay mindful, dwelling in the present moment. You don’t always have to be out in nature to be present.  But Nature is an amazing catalyst for presence.  Presence is the place that is always with us. And it is what we are on a quest for today, and everyday that we choose to bring our “A Game”, and be the best we that we can be! You know you can find a state of peace and tranquility whenever you want it.  Inner tranquility has little to do with your outer surroundings.  Inner tranquility is about your personal state of being.  However, you need to practice and create this state of being on a regular basis so that you can access it any time you feel anxious or overwhelmed no matter where you are. I love creating memories in beautiful places that I can return to whenever I feel the need for peace and solitude. Yesterday, about an hour before sunset, Melissa and I took a wonder-filled hike along a scenic rocky ridge that cradled a blissful mountain lake. The temperature was perfect for trekking, and the light and luminous clouds reflecting in the water created a heavenly, surreal setting. There was not another living soul to be found, and our hearts were light and full of joy. We could feel the burdens of the day slide down the hillside into the welcoming water below. As the sun slowly sank into the mountains on the other side of the lake, the wind picked up a notch, whispering through the scraggly ponderosa on the crest of the ridge. We both fell into a dreamlike state and the tranquility in this place was palpable. We took a seat on a comfortable rock and just absorbed the stillness of the last dying rays of the day. This is what we call a "Matterday", and is a moment we will always be able to remember and access in times of stress; a tool to be used for finding and practicing presence. James Allen said, “The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.  Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” Take a couple of deep, restorative breaths and enjoy the next few minutes in a state of serenity and tranquility deep within your spirit today. Hold on to this feeling as you go about your business today, seeking mindfulness and tranquility of spirit. Checklist for Day 19</

S2018 E68 · Mon, April 09, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 68 Joy! (Playing in Nature)

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive you will see it.” ~ Thich Naht Hanh Welcome to Day 18! How are you doing today? Is your life going the way you want it to? Are you finding joy in the moment? Or are you wishing you could be a little happier and a little more joyful? Joy is found in the simplest of things, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a rushing river or a sweetly babbling brook, dew on the grass in a meadow where a deer and her newborn fawn are grazing, or the dazzling white snow on a majestic mountaintop. Joy comes in all shapes and sizes, colors and flavors, but the most important thing about joy is that it can be found at anytime, anywhere, and by anyone; even animals wild and domestic. Here in the Rocky Mountains I’ve witnessed elk calves, and even grown bull elk playing and skipping and jumping, and rolling and splashing and pawing in puddles and glacier melt just for the joy of it. Our horses rear up and start chasing each other in a mad dash of joy, for seemingly no other reason than for sheer joy. You can analyze it and talk about it, but until you’ve experienced it, joy is actually difficult to grasp in tangible terms. More than a mere feeling, it involves a sense of well-being and that all is right with the world. Working closely in conjunction with faith, joy believes that ultimately in the end, everything will turn out the way it should. And yet, joy doesn’t really involve deep thoughts at all…it just is. As Thich Naht Hanh points out, joy is found in the present moment. Spending that present moment in our natural environment, out in nature is the surest way to go directly to the source and find joy almost instantly.It is a direct hit to the soul. I believe this is one reason we love to go camping or vacationing in the mountains or at the ocean or seaside. In these places joy is always so readily available, not just because of the place we are in, but due to the fact that when we are there, we can look past the circumstances of our lives and live in the moment. Here, joy just naturally bubbles to the top, reassuring us that it has always been there deep inside. It’s just a part of who we are and how we were made. Look back at your childhood and try to remember some of your greatest moments of joy. One of my fondest memories is helping my grandmother pick grapes and blackberries, raspberries and string beans from her simple, home-grown garden in West Virginia. I remember helping her snap the string beans in half and get them ready for cooking. Something about the sensory experience, smelling the fresh-hoed dirt and fresh earthy vegetables; getting the juice from the berries all over my han

S2018 E67 · Sun, April 08, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 67 - Simplicity

"Simplicity is the law of nature for men as well as for flowers." ~ Henry David Thoreau Welcome to Day 17! So much of our lives are wrapped up in looking for things or other people to make us happy. We are always on the “hunt” for the next quick fix. And as we lose our souls in pursuit of more, we become more and more dissatisfied, and even miserable with what we do have, and especially with what we think we don’t have. It becomes an addiction, and in today’s modern culture we are encouraged to maintain the addiction through information and technology. We’ve lost the path to the simple. For me one of the biggest draws to spending time in Nature is that it is a return to simplicity. Life can be so busy and full of difficulties, demands and daily challenges. For some reason, in our quest for variety and adventure, maybe out of boredom and the pursuit of the hunt, it seems our natural tendency at times is to make it even more burdensome and complex. This is when it becomes important to take our cues from Mother Nature. Simplicity can be found everywhere in the natural world. The seasons come and go with amazing regularity. You can count on it. Winter turns to spring, spring blossoms into summer, summer gives way to the fall, and fall passes into winter, as the cycle starts all over again. You plant a seed and the seed grows, bearing fruit. Rain waters the earth giving life to its plants, and to every living creature. The wind blows through the grass on the prairies as well as through the pine boughs in the mountain forest. The tide comes in and goes out again. The sun rises and sets, and rises again. All living things are born, live, and die, and give way to more life. If we slow down enough to notice, we will find that there is such beauty in this simplicity. If it wasn’t for the beauty we might miss the events and the lessons they bring entirely. Today’s Nature Challenge is a call to return to simplicity. As you go about your day, take a close look at the things you do, own or are pursuing, and ask this simple question: “How does this add value to my life and the lives of those I care about? Does it bring joy?” If it doesn’t, get rid of it! Simple, huh? By the way, this goes for your thoughts and philosophy of life as well. In fact, it will definitely shape your philosophy of life. If you find it somewhat difficult to go through this sort of clutter-cleanse, just know that you are not alone. My wife and I recently ordered a small dumpster and filled it three tim

S2018 E66 · Fri, April 06, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 66 Living Love

“Nature calls us to care.” ~ Forest Whitman “If I become the vibrational frequency of love, harmony, peace, and I’m radiating that, it’s going to show up in my life.” ~ Michael Bernard Beckwith   Welcome to Day 16! Here at Mountain Zen Den we talk a lot about tapping into Nature for mindfulness and personal growth. But what does that really mean? Personal development involves seeking our deeper, truer selves and becoming the best “You” that you can be.  It means becoming a more authentic and caring individual. One who gives more than he takes. One that others are drawn to because they find wisdom, compassion and empathy in their presence. One whose heart’s desire is to help make the world a better, more beautiful place. You’d be hard pressed to find a spiritual leader, or wise and caring person who was not deeply rooted to Nature. Nature has been called, “God’s other book”, and many naturalists such as John Muir have regularly gone to the mountains to commune with their Creator. And while it would be easy to argue that Nature is amoral, meaning that it does not intentionally choose “right” or “wrong’, “good” or “bad”, “love” or “hate”, Nature does have the capability of inspiring and humbling us to be kinder, more caring, gentle and yes, more loving. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. It is not caring.   Nature calls us to care.   In its huge, limitless vastness, wonderful mystery, and unpredictable consistency, Nature offers hope and beauty and light.Through love and respect and admiration of its perfect simplicity and majestic grandeur, it calls us to care; to love and preserve and protect. This deep love and respect can be nurtured and strengthened, shared and passed on, paid forward if you will, as a result of time spent in God’s great natural world; the original world that existed before man ever took his first step. Everything we do echoes through eternity…There is a ripple effect that begins with you and me and the choices we make every day. Today as you venture out into the big, beautiful world on the other side of your doorstep, try spending some quiet time alone, knowing that Nature helps us rise above the clouds of confusion and insignificance that getting caught up in our lowly man-made world entangles us in. Resolve to be a little more reflective and thoughtful than usual. This intention allows us the ability to look deeper, and work on ourselves in a joyful and freeing way; to become more loving. Michael Bernard Beckwith says, “Y

S2018 E65 · Thu, April 05, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 65 Walking for Your Life!

“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far. ~ Thomas Jefferson   Welcome to Day 15!  Walking for Your Life! (Nature for the Health of It) Let’s talk about something we have been doing since we were toddlers; something so ordinary, so seemingly unremarkable and ordinary that we daily take it for granted. Walking. When was the last time you thought, “Ok, I’m going to stand up now and walk over to the kitchen sink… Now I’m going to walk over to get my car keys and then walk to the car.”? It’s almost like breathing, (whose importance we daily need to be reminded of as well). Unless you've been in an accident, or are in some sort of physical rehabilitation, you probably just don’t ever think about it. Pretty much since the day we first learned how to walk as bambinos, we stopped noticing the fact that we were actually doing it, and just did it! And did it, and did it, and did it… sometimes to our parents' chagrin, but nevertheless invoking their pride and satisfaction as well. I have a friend who would laugh and laugh when his niece first learned to walk, as she held both her arms high in the air for balance, admittedly looking like an adorable little ape, proud of her progress. Just as she would get going and seemed to be achieving her balance, he would gently trip her from behind, causing her to fall onto the carpet, making her have to start all over again. She never got hurt or cried, but would just get a determined look on her face, pull herself up and start the process all over. I’m sure there’s some life lesson in there somewhere, but my real point in telling you is because I thought it was mildly cruel and hilarious to watch! Walking is one of the most underappreciated gifts known to man, but walking in Nature is even less valued and acknowledged in our society. Not only does walking in the wild calm our minds, help relieve stress, and give us an emotional connection to the living world, it actually is good for our health! Imagine that! A good brisk, or even moderate walk outside does so many amazing things for the health of our bodies. It helps develop our cardio muscles and improve circulation pumping life-giving blood throughout our bodies, provides fresh oxygen for our respiratory system, boosts our immune system, assists in the production of the vitamin D hormone which is good for our skin and bones, cell growth and even reduction in inflammation. In addition, hiking, strolling and ambling in the great outdoors is beneficial for getting and staying in shape, building and maintaining muscles, and aiding in the maintenance of balance, and of a healthy nervous system. And don’t forget, every area of our being is affected by every other area. We are spiritual beings, with thoughts and emotions, living in physical bodies. When we neglect our health, we negl

S2018 E64 · Wed, April 04, 2018

MZD - Ep 64 Growing Your Nature Knowledge

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.It will never fail you.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright   Welcome to Day 14! There’s a good chance that if you’re here today, it’s because you are a passionate nature-lover. There is just something about wilderness and wildlife that draws you. It calls to your spirit deep within and won’t let go. Its beauties and wonders are a part of your deepest self, who you are at your very core. You have a hunger for “green” knowledge, and can’t get enough. In general, the more time we spend in Nature, the more we want to know and understand about the natural world and how it works. And the more we learn, the more we fall in love with her. There is such a depth to the character and essence of all things wild… so many wonderful aspects to fall in love with, and activities to study, improve on, and enjoy in the great outdoors. The introduction and awareness of these fields of studies can, and usually do, turn into lifelong hobbies, (and even sometimes businesses) for ardent nature-lovers and “naturepreneurs”. Here are just a few reminders and options, from A to Z of things to study and learn more about in our big, beautiful, natural Universe – Astronomy, biology, botany, ecology, entomology (the study of insects), environmentalism, farming, gardening, geology, herbology, herpetology, (the study of snakes), ichthyology (the study of fish), lepidopterology (the study of moths & butterflies), ornithology (the study of birds), and zoology. And then of course there are numerous ways to improve and learn more about things like camping, hiking, fly-fishing, nature journaling, nature photography and nearly every other activity you can think of that can be done outside. Just reading this list gets my juices going, and makes we want to get outdoors with a couple of good books and learn and study more! Is it just me, or do you feel that way too? If you answered “Yes!”, then you’re going to love today’s Nature Challenge! I hope that maybe today’s challenge will spark and awaken, or feed a desire, and encourage you to delve a little deeper in the study of an area, (or areas) of nature that naturally draw you, and speak to your heart.  For many, these would be some of the things that drew you to Nature in the first place. Get outside with your wild self today and make it a point get in touch with your inner Audubon, Muir, Newton, Darwin, or even Steve Irwin, and become an explorer; the kind you were when you were a child, only now, with the added benefit of wisdom and tenacity.   Be

S2018 E63 · Wed, April 04, 2018

MZD - Ep 63 Finding Beauty in Everything

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” ~ Vincent van Gogh Welcome to Day 13! Hello fellow Nature-lover, have you had your “Nature Fix” today? We all need it. It is our cure for stress, anxiety, boredom, and even high blood pressure and other health issues. It’s our nourishment for the soul, and has even been described as “Vitamin N”. Probably one of the most obvious things we all love about Nature though, is its indisputable beauty. We love to drive, hike and camp near majestic, breath-taking mountain scenery and ocean seascapes, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and fascinating, beautiful wild creatures. Artists love to sketch, paint and photograph gorgeous natural scenes, and we love to buy them and hang them on our walls. The beauty found in nature has a soothing effect on the soul, reminding us that there is an eternal quality deep within us that longs for attractive symmetry, glorious splendor, stunning views and natural heart appeal. It’s easy to see why millions and millions of people make annual vacations by the ocean, and visit wondrous places Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains. The appeal is obvious. But how often do we stop and think of the beauty right in our local neighborhoods, and even right in our own backyard? Sure, there is a difference between the Grand Canyon and the grand little park down the street, but that simple little place displays its own kind of beauty. What we’re talking about here is the ability to see beauty in everything.   The first place to start, even before you step outside your door, is to begin with “Presence”.   When you are living in the moment, slowing down enough to actually take notice, it’s easy to find beauty in the simple things all around you; the shape of a tree, the opening of a flower’s petals, the dancing shadows and sunlight on the greenery in the forest, the intense color of the heavens, the breath of the wind through the tall grasses and weeds in the field, the reflection of the sky and landscape on a still body of water – and even that little weed determined to grow through the crack in the sidewalk. If beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, then it’s up to us to train our eyes, and develop a sense of appreciation for the aesthetic qualities of life in the natural world we live in. Part of the joy of self-development and personal growth is getting to know ourselves better; our likes and dislikes. The thing

S2018 E62 · Mon, April 02, 2018

MZD - Ep 62 Signs of Life (Finding Hope in Nature)

 “Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success and love; it will come back to you in abundance.This is the law of nature.” ~ Steve Maraboli   Welcome to Day 12! At times, the world can seem like a dark and hopeless place. Long, black nights, and seemingly endless winters can challenge our faith. Droughts crack the earth and wither our hearts. Storms can dampen our spirits, lightning strikes, and harsh and chilling winds can feel cruel, making life miserable and almost unbearable. It’s these sinister, and less desirable experiences in nature that can make a person want to avoid ever going outside, being exposed to the unfriendly elements and environment. Add the gamut of health and life-threatening risks, dangers and annoyances such as ticks, flies, wasps and mosquitoes, spiders, snakes, poison ivy, too much exposure to the cancer-inducing rays of the sun, as well as lions and tigers and bears, oh my! After reading or hearing this foreboding list, one wonders why anyone would ever willingly subject themselves to this menacing world by stepping outside their front door, just knowing the big bad wolf is ready to huff and puff and blow down your house. I’m reminded of Woody Allen’s humorous sentiment towards this kind of nature when he said, “I love nature, I just don’t want any of it on me!”   But as you know, there is another side to the natural world. Hope and new life can be found in this same scary, wild, wonderful world. One of the myriad blessings Nature offers is that everywhere you look you can see signs of life, resurrection and renewal. Hope. Encouragement. The long, dreary winters are replaced by “re-greening” of the grass in the spring, where seasonal weather patterns renew and restore, bringing life-giving water to roots and shoots… especially in places like the American West where the terrain is naturally dry for long periods of time. Hope lies dormant, awaiting an awakening in the budding of the trees and blooming of the flowers.  New shoots and runners spring from ivy and other plants. Birds, squirrels and other small animals build nests and perform beautiful and complex mating rituals. Caterpillars turn into butterflies. Bees busily buzz, pollinating fragrant flowers and manufacturing sweet honey. Ants wait for just the right picnickers to come by and drop some bread crumbs or a potato chip, to take home for their own private picnics inside their ant hills.  And the cycle of life goes on... The sun rises every morning bringing light and warmth to a new day.  And the night offers a whole new world of intriguing sounds and soft and delicate lights, ranging from moonlight to starlight, to fluorescent plankton, to lightning bugs and glow worms. The signs of hope and renewal are everywhere.  We need only open our eyes and ears and hearts to see and receive them.  Hope springs eternal in the gift of Natu

S2018 E61 · Sat, March 31, 2018

MZD - Ep 61 Just Breathe

Day 11 ~ Just Breathe “Breathe in and tell yourself that a new day has been offered to you, and you have to be here to live it.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh Welcome to Day 11! For the past week and a half on this 21-Day Nature Challenge, it may have felt like you’ve asked to do a lot, think a lot, make a lot of observations, and then write them all down in your journal. Who has time to do all this? I know, it may feel like a lot to ask for a busy soccer-mom, businessman, student, active and dutiful grandparent, or any other ordinary human being living on planet Earth in the 21st century. If this challenge has taken you out of your comfort zone and your daily routine, I want to apologize. I want to apologize for not having made this opportunity and challenge available to you sooner! Life for most of us is not necessarily healthy, and often leaves us feeling empty, dissatisfied and hungering and longing for something more. Your body knows when you’re not getting all the nutrients it needs and will tell you so by feeling run down, getting sick, and just basically feeling overall lethargic. It’s the same with your soul. Time spent in Nature is not a waste. As you know deep in your soul, it is a life-giving, healing and rejuvenating, worthwhile activity. We all need more Vitamin N. This journey back into Nature is about returning to simplicity and shouldn’t feel like one more thing that you should, or have to do. It’s about having fun, and enjoying the fact that you are living your authentic life, developing new, natural and healthy habits on a day-to-day basis, for the sake of being a more mindful, healthier, happier you. So, today we’re just going to ask you to do only one thing. And while it may seem like a simple request, it may be the hardest thing you’ve been challenged with yet on this adventure. We’re going to ask you to Breathe. What? How is that a challenge? Let me rephrase, we are going to ask you to breathe and just stay focused on your breathing. When you’re outdoors today, you’re simply just going to be mindful of your breath, grateful for the fact that you are breathing - breathing out the old and the stale, and breathing in the new and the fresh, filling your lungs with life-giving oxygen. As you do, you will find yourself becoming more mindful of, and grateful for the plants and trees which produce this life-giving elixir, and for the breezes and even strong winds which cleanse the earth by pushing out the old, stagnant air, bringing fresh sources of ventilation with

S2018 E60 · Fri, March 30, 2018

MZD - Ep 60 Creating A Matterday

“Teach us to number our days…” ~ Psalm 90:12 Welcome to Day 10! Here’s something for you to think about. What did you have for breakfast yesterday? Where did you go? What did you see? Who did you spend time with? Does any of what you did really matter? In his inspiring book, “Go Outside and Come Back Better”, author Ron Lizzi proposes the concept that many good days make up a good life. He invites us to, “Picture a see-saw, (teeter-totter in some places). This balance represents your life…” He then asks you to imagine that when you came to the end of every day, if it was a good day, you would place a stone on the right side of the seesaw. If it was a bad day, or at least a not-so-good day you would place a stone on the left side. So for a very bad day, say the death of a loved one, you lost your job, or received bad news, the stone would go on the far left. And for a very good day, a great day, like - you got married, the birth of a child, landed your dream job, etc., you would place a stone on the far right. All the other days, so-so days, where nothing very remarkable happened, you would place a stone more towards the center; closer to the left if it wasn’t such a good day, and closer to the right if it was ok but yielded nothing memorable. Are you with me so far? So you’ve got this teeter-totter full of stones on top of it, and as you look at it, you begin to realize that the seesaw is off balance, tipping either to the right or left, for good or bad. Get the picture? This balance symbolizes the quality of your life. For most of us, our seesaw would probably look pretty balanced, leaning only slightly to the left or right. Hopefully, more to the right, because we had more of what we would call “good days” than bad. These “good days”, Ron Lizzi calls “matterdays”. “In short”, he says, looking at the balance you could say “some days matter and some days don’t. The day stone balance only holds stones for what I call matterdays.” He then points out that the farther to the left or right a stone is placed on a balance, the greater its impact on the balance. Therefore, he says, “a great matterday or an awful matterday will have a larger impact than a bunch of marginally good or bad matterdays”. What if nearly every day for the rest of your life was a good or great “matterday”? What if you could create great matterdays any time you wanted simply by doing things you enjoy that have a positive impact on your life and the lives of those around you? Great matterdays are the ones you remember because of how you felt and what you thought. These can create new discoveries and feelings, new understandings and fresh outlooks on life and the world at large. So how do we do this? Where do we begin? Such days are available from… you guessed it, time spent in Nature! Wild places have the po

S2018 E59 · Thu, March 29, 2018

MZD ~ Ep 59 Practicing the Art of Slowing Down

Welcome to Day 9 of the 21-Day Nature Challenge! Do ever feel like there’s just not enough time to get everything done? Guess what? There isn’t. It is a sad fact that here in the age of high-tech convenience where we can have pretty much anything we want on demand, the feeling that life is supposed to constantly be busy and rush by in a blur is a normal thing; not healthy, just standard living these days. And no one really seems to notice, or care. Or at least we don’t believe we have the time to do anything about it. We’ve said it before, but here at Mountain Zen Den it’s not about spending time in nature for the sake of being more mindful just to be mindful. (Although that’s not necessarily a bad thing.) It’s really about creating and designing the lifestyle that you desire and know you were meant to live. When we are always madly rushing from one task to the next, one appointment to another, one soccer game, one project deadline, one birthday party or funeral, without a sense of purpose, place and groundedness, we lose our way, become frustrated, sad, lonely, empty and lost. Our internal sense of purpose and place in eternity is being denied. We basically forget how to live; or why we’re alive in the first place. We are not cattle raised in a pen, waiting to be slaughtered for beef before ever having lived a real life. That is no way to live my friend. And it shouldn’t be normal. It’s not how we were created to be and deep inside you know it’s true. So what is the answer? It’s in slowing down enough to take the time to listen deeply, and with intention to the still, small voice deep within, that we begin to find and truly understand how it is that we are supposed to live. Mindfulness is the vehicle to help us get there. Slowing down doesn’t mean becoming less productive. It’s much the opposite. When we slow down with purpose and intention there is a lot less “doing”, and a lot more “accomplishing”. When we decide to choose to become mindful we begin to allow life, and our thoughts to unfold life a delicate flower, or to grow like a seed planted in fertile soil. Whatever you’re doing right at this moment, I want you to stop, take a deep breath and just look around you. What do you see? What do you feel? What do you know deep in your heart? Is there a sense of peace? Or anxiety? Joy? Or fear? Take another slow deep breath… Ask yourself, “What can I do today to slow down enough to live the life I know I was meant to live? How can I design my life to be productive without killing a littl

S2018 E58 · Wed, March 28, 2018

MZD - Ep 58 Doing A Nature Count (A scavenger hunt for Nature-lovers)

“In wildness is the preservation of the world." ~ Henry David Thoreau Welcome to Week 2, and Day 8! You are learning how Nature helps you become a better person, in every area of your life – body, mind, and soul. Before we continue, take a moment and think about what first drew you to the idea of doing a 21-Day Nature Challenge? What did you hope to accomplish, receive or benefit from it as a result? Are you finding what you were looking for? Are you making new discoveries about yourself and the world around you? Last week we focused on using our senses to become aware of and absorb the benefits and beauties of the natural world all around us. This week we are going to zoom in a bit on individual aspects of Nature and hopefully develop a deeper appreciation for the gifts we’ve been given in our natural community. Whether we realize it our not, we are one with Nature. In fact, we are Nature and the sooner we understand this, the sooner we begin to return to our authentic selves. And this is where happiness and hope and health and healing originate and forever reside. It has been noted that people are more caring when they are around Nature. In his book “The Nature Principle” , Richard Louv points out that “Species diversity, like cultural diversity, enriches our lives and gives us hope…The more species that live in a park, the greater the psychological benefits to human beings.” That is why maintaining an awareness of the bio-diversity where you live is so vital. So today in your 20+ minute outdoor wanderings, mindfully do a nature count, actually keeping track of every living thing you see. Depending on where you live, this could be overwhelming. You may want to take a small notebook or your journal with you. You definitely won’t be able to count all of the trees, plants, flowers and shrubs you see, so just make a note of the ones that stand out to you – maybe your favorites. Don’t worry if you can’t identify everything you see. In fact, you probably won’t be able to.Just make a note of it and its characteristics – size, shape, color, etc.If it’s a bird, you can note the size and length of its bill, sound of its song, and other unique characteristics. You can try to identify it later if you like when you get home. For instance, if you see a flock of small birds in a tree, note – “flock of 20 or 30 small brown birds in the oak tree on Maple Avenue.” Birders refer to these kind of birds they can’t identify as LBB’s, (little brown birds), very scientific wouldn’t you say? Linnaeus would be proud! The point is, notice and count as much wildlife as you can observe in a twenty-minute trek outdoors and simply write it down. That is your mission for the day. So as you step outside with Beginner’s Mind, allow yourself to become a kid again.  Have fun and enjoy the process! Treat it like a Scavenger Hunt, or a Tr

S2018 E57 · Tue, March 27, 2018

MZD - Ep 57 Knowing (Intuition)

“No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied – it speaks in silence to the very core of your being” ~ Ansel Adams “Be still and know that He is God.” ~ Steven Curtis Chapman Welcome to Day 7! You have made it through the first week of the 21-Day Nature Challenge! There’s something magical that happens to a person after having spent considerable time in Nature. You have been learning, or re-learning how to use all of your senses, and to be mindful whenever you step outside. Remember when you were a kid, how easy and natural it was to take in more of the world?  You just did it naturally.  Everything was new and your eyes and ears, and entire being was wide open to the experience.  The outside world was an amazing and magical place to be in!  It was always inviting you to come explore, climb trees, jump in puddles, dig tunnels, catch fireflies, collect rocks, build forts and just play! Guess what? It hasn’t changed, we have!  Somehow along the way as we grow up we begin to lose our childlike sense of wonder and curiosity about things, and we begin to fall into a pattern of indifference, boredom and busyness. Collect rocks?!  I mean they’re just rock’s for Pete’s sake! Something deep inside knew that there was more to the world than just work and school and buildings and all the tangible elements that surrounded us. Did you know that we have more than five senses? Beyond what we traditionally think of as having a sixth sense, that is, the ability or intuition to know or understand things that other people don’t, new research is confirming evidence of a different kind of sixth sense – the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field – much like birds, and insects and even some mammals. Neuroscientists are now saying that we are a bundle of senses.  Some people even believe we have up to eleven senses.  Some of these are believed to help a person monitor subtle changes in their environment, and adjust to them for safety and protection. T his only really happens on a subconscious level. As you are out in the great wild world today, use this time to try to find and strengthen your deeper intuition, that inner voice that you can only hear with your soul.  Remember the word A.W.A.R.E.Awaken Within And Remain Engaged. There are some things you just know that you know that you know.  Nature has spoken and it is so. No words, no instruction book, no advice from a parent, teacher, mentor, or friend can persuade or dissuade you otherwise.  Trust that knowing, and accept with the simplicity of a child. Today, be still and know. Checklist for Day 7 ☐ MEDITATION: Day 7 – “Knowing. Learning to Be Intuitive” (Be sure to listen to this active meditation on <a href= "https://el2.convertkit-mail2.com/c/preview/dpheh0/aHR0cHM6Ly9pdHVuZXMuYXBwbGUuY29tL3VzL3BvZGNhc3QvbW91bnRhaW4

S2018 E56 · Mon, March 26, 2018

MZD - Ep 56 Putting It All Together (Full Awareness)

“I arise today through the strength of heaven; Light of sun, radiance of moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of sea, stability of earth, firmness of rock. ~ Saint Patrick Your deepest roots are in nature.  No matter who you are, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation. ~ Charles Cook Welcome to Day 6! Putting It All Together (Full awareness) Now that you have begun sharpening all your senses, (or at least the ones you are aware of) one by one, in a mindful way out in nature, it’s time to just step back and be aware of what just happened. You willingly chose to focus on one sense a day in nature, sight sound, smell, touch and taste in the present moment.  As this happens, whether you know it or not, you are practicing mindfulness. When we meditate, mindfulness isn’t about shutting thoughts out, but about being aware of them and strengthening your focus muscle. It has been said that trying to keep thoughts from coming into your head is like trying to hold a beach ball under water.  You can only do it for so long until it pops up to the surface again. Today when you’re outside take a minute being mindful of each of your five senses.  Take note of what you are observing with each of your individual senses, and in particular, how you feel about it and what it does to your emotions. As you walk or sit or even run, time yourself for one minute fully use only your eyes to observe everything you see, practicing what we learned on Day 1 – taking notes of shapes, sizes colors, patterns, shadows, hues and light… Then for the next sixty seconds use only your ears as much as possible. Stop and close your eyes to better zoom your hearing radar in on the sounds around you. Next use your nose and take in all the aromas, odors, fragrances and scents available to you at this moment. Then, move on to your sense of touch for a full minute.  Reach out, up, over or down and feel the nearest substance within your reach.  Try to describe in words what each object or substance feels like, texture, temperature, etc. And finally, try to taste the wind.  If you're up for it, find something safe and familiar to put between your teeth like a blade of grass or the stem of a dried weed.  Note the flavor.  Maybe it tastes like "chicken".  (Doesn't everything?)  Maybe it tastes like nothing at all.  Take note of that as well. After you’ve taken five minutes to use all of your senses, use the next fifteen minutes outdoors to put them all together and just soak up the world around you.It’s actually really amazing if you stop to think about it.  It might even put you in sensory overload. It’s sort of the opposite of being in a sensory deprivation tank. You may even begin to feel like a super hero with super powers, knowing that probably less that 1% of the world’

S2018 E55 · Sun, March 25, 2018

MZD - Ep 55 Taste & See

Day 5 ~ TASTE & SEE! “One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Hey there {{ subscriber.first_name }} So how are you doing on the 21-Day Nature Challenge?  Are you finding it difficult staying on track and doing this challenge every day?  If so, don’t be discouraged. Life gets in the way, as they say.  It’s a normal thing.  And the whole point of the challenge is to be able to take an ordinary day and make it extraordinary by living in the moment, whatever the moment brings.  Doing it in Nature gives an added benefit of beauty, peace and health & fitness by getting outdoor exercise, sunshine and fresh air - all good for the body, mind and spirit. So if you miss a day or two, or aren’t able to do everything on the checklist, we just want to encourage you, and remind you that whether you’re seeing or noticing any immediate improvements in your mindfulness, weight loss or whatever other reason you’ve chosen to do this, the point is, just by doing a little more than you would normally do - making healthy choices and intentionally being present even for small bits of time – like anything, the more you do it, the better you will get at it.  So just keep on making forward motion everyday.  It will pay off in ways you may not even realize until much later. Today we are focusing on a physical sense that sometimes gets us in trouble, and that we rarely think about in nature - the sense of Taste. The average person has about 10,000 taste buds which are microvilli, or tiny hairs which send messages to the brain about how something tastes.  We mentioned on Day 3 that our sense of smell really affects our sense of taste.  While we can differentiate between thousands of odors, we can only taste salty, sweet, bitter, and sour.  Working in conjunction with the tongue, the nose helps add variety and flavoring to the taste sensation.  Cool! The down side of this is that when we smell something irresistible, it can help outvote our brain in the decision-making process of when, what and how much to eat.  We’re talking bacon, doughnuts, fried chicken, and cinnamon rolls… Ok time to stop drooling! Introducing mindfulness eating.   Perhaps you’ve heard of this concept. Mindfulness eating involves slowing down, primarily choosing nutritionally healthy foods, not overloading your plate, truly enjoying each bite, not multi-tasking, but when eating, just eat, listening to your body and stopping when you are full, and finally considering where your food comes from. We’re not saying you can’t eat a piece of chocolate cake or a bowl of ice-cream.  If you’re choosing to do it mindfully, you are only going to eat probably half the amount, and enjoy it twice as much!  If you’re really listening to your hunger cues and you are truly intentionally enjoying your food, it may only take a few bites to satisfy your hunger. 

S2018 E54 · Sat, March 24, 2018

MZD - Ep 54 Touch (The Feel of Nature)

“Forget not that the Earth delights to feel your bare feet, and the winds long to play with your hair.” ~ Kahlil Gibran “Earth's crammed with heaven... But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning Welcome to Day 4! You are on a roll… Way to go! By now you are probably aware that you are generally most comfortable in using only one or two of your five senses. This can be eye-opening, (or nose-opening as we smelled yesterday). We have millions of specialized touch receptors in our skin and tissues, which send touch signals to our brains. These receptors all respond to touch, pressure, temperature and pain. Many animals, such as cats have an advantage over us. Their whiskers, which are very different from the fur on their bodies are actually touch receptors embedded deeper than their shorter top-coat fur. These hairs are connected to their nervous and muscular systems acting as sensory nerves and helping it to respond to changes in its surroundings. This helps them “see” with their bodies when it is dark. Still, we have an amazing gift in the sense of touch, able to distinguish between rough and soft, hard and smooth, hot and cold and a variety of other textures and sensations. If we are paying attention, we can tell when a cold front is moving in. With that in mind bring your attention to every physically related touch sensation you are feeling right at this moment. Maybe it’s the pressure of your back and seat in the chair.Maybe it’s a little breeze in the air. Or perhaps you feel a slight tickle or itch on your head, face or body. Isn’t it crazy how unusual it is to actually pay attention to the physical sensations of our body? This is part of being mindful. On the other hand, if we were constantly only thinking of all of the physical sensations we were experiencing at every moment throughout the day, we would probably explode from sensory overload. Find a comfortable place to sit down for a minute and run your hands across the grass or ground or dirt. Try to dig your hands into the earth and pick up a handful of soil like we did yesterday. Now take off your shoes and just let your bare feet feel the earth and the grass beneath them. Come on, this is supposed to be a challenge, right? I dare you! How would you describe what it feels like? Grounding to the earth by either sitting or lying down, or standing and walking in your bare feet, where your skin is actually touching the earth is believed to bring a super energy back into the body and spirit. Something special happens when we are literally in touch with Mother Nature. So today, enjoy just feeling your way around outside, staying present in the moment, and be at peace knowing that as a result of this little active meditation you are once again in touch with yourself and with your world. Checklist for Day 4 ☐ MEDITATION: Day 4 – “Learning

S2018 E53 · Fri, March 23, 2018

MZD - Ep 53 Wake Up & Smell the World

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” ~ Gerard De Nerval Welcome to day 3! Our intention for the day is to follow our noses. Or at least pay attention to the gift of smell. The practical purpose of our proboscis’, (that is our noses), is one of the most overlooked , (pardon the pun), powers we have been bestowed with. While animals have a much greater ability to use their noses for tracking and differentiating between vast numbers of varying smells, the human sense of smell is still quite acute. In fact, we can recognize thousands of different smells. This is because we have around five or six million odor-detecting cells high up in our nasal passages. On the other hand, rabbits have about a hundred million of these, while dogs have more than twice that number. Good luck in a smelling contest with the creatures of the wild world! Still, studies have shown that given the intention and opportunity, we can get pretty good at using our noses to track. In fact, we’ve been given two nostrils so that we can smell in “stereo”. When we are paying attention, and are being particularly sensitive to smells, fragrances, odors and aromas, this stereo effect can help guide us in “scent direction”. This has been proven in blindfold tests with humans. And this is one reason animals can track so well just using their sense of smell. Just watch your dog on the trail next time you’re outside with them. They get the odors way up in their nostrils by executing short powerful sniffs, and then blowing out and doing it all over again, following where the scent is strongest. For the most part, in this century, our very safety and well-being may not seem very dependent on the gift of smell, but it certainly can enhance and affect our enjoyment of an outdoor or dining experience, and even our moods. Another interesting fact about the sense of smell is that it is directly linked in our brains to memories and emotions. This is one reason that essential oils and aroma therapy work so well in healing and mood enhancement. We could go on about how our noses are the main organ of taste as well as smell. But we’ll save that for Day 5. When it comes to smells, Nature has some real winners out there, including fresh-mowed hay or grass, gardenias, lavender, clover and alfalfa, oranges, lemons, coffee, cinnamon, peppermint, pineapples, pine cones, chimney smoke and fire. The mere act of mentioning these treasures almost brings them to life, awakening your nose until you swear you could smell them right now. There’s an endless array of aromas to be enjoyed. These deliver some of the best memories and experiences in life because they make us feel so alert and alive! I love nothing more than the smell of the road, forest and earth after a good rainfall, or the scent of a pinewood campfire, with some s’mores and applewood bacon and coffee thrown in. See wha

S2018 E52 · Thu, March 22, 2018

MZD - Ep 52 Listening

“The word ‘LISTEN’ contains the same letters as the word ‘SILENT’”. ~ Alfred Brendel “Listening is about being present, not just about being quiet.” ~ Krista Tippett Welcome back! We are learning to be more appreciative and grateful for all of the natural goodness in our life.  It’s about intentionally noticing the simple things everywhere around us. Today we are going to use another of our God-given senses.  Hearing. Have you ever truly stopped and thought about what an amazing gift sounds are?  Frequencies vibrating at different rates can make an amazing variety of noises, tones and even music!   Sounds can be quite pleasant, or they can range from being minor annoyances to being downright harsh and painful. In nature, sounds at times, are there to give a warning; from a distant roll or nearby clap of thunder, to an approaching predator, or an alert that a large waterfall is up ahead.  Sounds are also used by animals of all types to attract their mates, or warn their competitors, “This is my territory, stay away!” Today as you set out with the intention of paying attention to the sounds all around, you are going to hear things you have never noticed before.  This is especially true of human-made noise.  Try not to let this bother you.  As you are learning to allow thoughts to pass without judgment in your daily meditations, you are also learning to allow sounds to come and go without annoyance or any particular thought, just an awareness. So, step outside, take a deep breath, close your eyes and open your ears. Listen beyond the traffic, airplanes, motors, radios, etc., to the subtle sounds of nature. Listen for things such as wind, leaves rattling on a sidewalk, the sound of your breathing and footsteps, a bird’s call, even your heartbeat.  As you do, set the intention to have gratitude for the gift of hearing and enjoy it immensely. Say out loud so your ears can hear it, “Thank you!” Then, when you get home and throughout the rest of your day and evening, try to listen a little closer to your family, friends and loved ones.  Learn to listen with your heart. Your life will be so much sweeter as a result. Here is your Checklist for Day 2 ☐ MEDITATION: Day 2 – “Learning to Be Mindful With Your Ears” (You can listen to this active meditation on iTunes

S2018 E51 · Wed, March 21, 2018

MZD - Ep 51 Beginner's Eyes

“There’s so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see, and everywhere I go I’m looking…” ~Rich Mullins Welcome to the is special edition of Mountain Zen Den - The 21-Day Nature Challenge Day 1! - Beginner's Eyes - Learning to see as if for the first time... Welcome to Day 1! We’ll begin with this thoughtful and active meditation for the day. Today you begin your journey to a new life in a new world as you start to see everything through fresh eyes with a mindful heart. Now there are two things you need to commit to as you begin: Set an “Intention”. Take a few thoughtful moments to write in your Nature Journal exactly what you hope to get out of this 21-Day adventure. It could be something as simple as – “I want to be more mindful”, or “I want to develop the habit of practicing meditation, so that I can be a calmer, more focused human being.” It may be that you want to learn how to manage the stress in your life, or you may simply just want to learn how to slow down and live in the present moment. Learn to develop “Beginner’s Mind” ~ Decide to adopt a fresh, childlike attitude with openness and wonder, as if seeing the world for the first time. This will make your journey so much more rewarding, exciting and enjoyable. So here goes! Imagine that like Edmond Dantes in the Count of Monte Cristo, you have just emerged from a dark and dreary dungeon cell to which you have been confined for the past ten years. The sun and sky never looked so beautiful! Everything is fascinating and full of wonder and possibility. Now take a deep breath, step outside you door, and enjoy a 20 minute walk in your neighborhood, or other favorite outdoor location, soaking up all there is to see. Commit to using your eyes in the present moment. Notice the amazing variety of shapes and forms and colors in the world all around you. As you spend more time in nature with intentional awareness you will begin to notice a whole new world of patterns, colors, shades, and light. Plein air artists, (outdoor painters), say that the more time they spend outdoors observing and painting, the more sensitive they become to all the variations of colors, light and patterns. And you will too! Just be intentional in your awareness and observations. Find something natural and bring it home for your own “Nature Zen Den”, (which we will be creating this week). Commit to looking at it through fresh eyes and “seeing” it in a new light. (It can be anything natural – a leaf, a rock, some grass, dried weeds, a pine cone, etc.). As you truly observe it, as if seeing it for the very first time, ask a few thoughtful questions. What purpose does this object serve in nature? Why is it shaped the way it is? Does its color carry any me

S2018 E50 · Mon, March 19, 2018

MZD - Ep 50 Get Outside ~ Now!

“Every day is an opportunity to find ways big and small to transform our lives and to grow spiritually.” ~ Bobby Williams   There is a Norwegian concept known as “Friluftsliv” . Hard to pronounce, but a great philosophy to live by. Basically it’s about being outside as much as possible. It’s come to embody Norway’s cultural love affair with Nature. First introduced in 1859, Friluftsliv refers to uplifting ambience. One of the best ways you can enjoy the simple moments in an uplifting ambience in life is by going for regular walks. There are many reasons you should head out the door and take a walk right now.  Here are just a few of them - Fresh air Sunshine Exercise A Treat for All of Your Senses Get Fresh Perspective Elevate Your Mood A good walk outdoors can uplift your spirit, release endorphins and elevate your mood. Walking in nature is the best natural anti-depressant! Over the counter and available for all! And finally… It’s Good for Your Brain! Regular exercise changes the brain to improve cognitive skills. It also increases the production of serotonin, (a hormone associated with good health and mental well-being). Studies have shown that physically active people have more receptors in their brains than inactive people. In fact, a good brisk walk can actually help build new neural pathways and connections. So let’s all get outside and become brilliant!

S2018 E49 · Mon, March 12, 2018

MZD - Ep 49 - Self-Development Through Nature

“What the false self fears more than anything else is change.” ~ Father Richard Rohr We all have different and varying opinions on the definition of success, but I think it’s say to say that we’d all agree that - Success in life is becoming what you want to be. The path you take ton get there is up to you, but the fact is - Nature is a major catalyst in helping us get there faster! Here’s how: Everything alive is either growing or dying. To be alive means to grow. When you stop growing, you die. In his classic personal growth book, “The Science of Getting Rich”, author Wallace Wattles offers this universal wisdom – “The purpose of nature is the advancement and development of life… Every living thing must continually seek for the enlargement of its life because life – in the mere act of living – must increase itself...There are three motives for which we live: we live for the body, the mind and the soul.” As we immerse ourselves in the restorative, energizing qualities of Nature we begin to nurture and grow in each of these areas. The wholesome, organic properties of the natural world help return us to our roots. It’s sort of like when you put a fish back in the water after finding it on dry land, our bodies, minds and souls are returned home, revived, renewed and restored. Not only does spending time in the wild energize and awaken us, but it brings a rest and recreation that cannot be fully replicated or manufactured anywhere else. Nature is an endless storehouse of riches. It is in a constant state of renewal of itself. And the fact is, we all are a part of Nature. To learn more listen to today's show!  Glad you're here...

S2018 E48 · Mon, March 05, 2018

MZD - Ep 48 Accomplishing More By Doing Less

“Productivity is less about what you do with your time.  And more about how you run your mind.” ~ Robin S. Sharma Here at Mountain Zen Den it’s not just about spending time in nature for the sake of being more mindful, or even about being mindful for it’s own sake. We’re here to help you create and design a lifestyle , a way of living and of Being that brings you the life you’ve always wanted, one day at a time.  It’s about finding joy and simplicity in the simple things, and slowing down enough to appreciate and nurture the love and tranquility that living a more mindful life brings. What is the one thing above all else that you know has to get done today? In today's show, we show you how to accomplish more by doing less. Glad you're here!  Come on in...

S2018 E47 · Wed, February 28, 2018

MZD - Ep 47 Getting Unstuck

“You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.” ~ Marianne Williamson “Perhaps the Earth can teach us, as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive.” ~ Pablo Neruda Do you ever feel stuck? Like a rodent caught in the rat race or the proverbial hamster wheel? We all get stuck from time to time and need a little shaking up to get out of the rut. We sometimes need a blast of fresh wind to clear the leaves and debris out of our yard, and to cleanse the impurities and stagnant air out of the atmosphere of our minds, so to speak. For today's show, we offer a short list of things you might try to help yourself get unstuck and move and grow more intentionally. Glad you're here!  Come on in...  

S2018 E46 · Wed, February 21, 2018

MZD - Episode 46 Releasing Stress - By the River

Ever find yourself feeling stressed and anxious and not even really knowing why? You know that feeling that your mind is racing back and forth just trying to find something to worry about?  I know there are plenty of things, real problems and issues that cause stress, but at the same time, there is this constant hum or buzz of anxiety that just continues like static in the background of our minds, no matter how good or bad things are going currently in our lives. As a form of self-preservation, the human mind is conditioned to remain alert and look for dangers and problems. This is how we survived since time began.  But in today’s world, other than crossing traffic or watching out for the other driver, there are way less life-threatening situations to cause a hyper-state of constant alertness and adrenaline release.  Yet, we very seldom give ourselves a break.  So many of us are dragging ourselves around in an exhausted stressed-out state of anxiety, worry and even panic - most of it totally uncalled for. The good news is, there is a cure and it is free, (or at least very affordable), easy to find, and just outside your front door.  Or maybe even inside if you’ve created your own nature zen den or meditation room in a home setting filled with plants and water fountains and relaxing colors and aromas and such. Research has shown, and continues to teach us that Nature helps relieve our stress and lower our cortisol levels in very tangible ways. v When truly present in the natural world we can learn to separate our real problems from the static – that background hum of noise we were talking about.  What is really important tends to rise to the top and everything else just floats away.  Today we visit the river and release all our stress and anxiety, allowing them to wash downstream.  Join us for a few moments of "Ahhh..."!

S2018 E45 · Mon, February 19, 2018

MZD - Ep 45 The Mindfulness Minute

“Mindfulness isn’t difficult, we just need to remember to do it. ~ Sharon Salzberg Every sunrise is an opportunity to show up for your own life.  Every sunset does the same.  All the moments in between these two events are opportunities to just open up and enjoy the wonders of the world, and this miracle we call life.  If we don’t respond by showing up mentally and emotionally, it’s like watching a beautiful and sometimes scary and riveting movie, filled with action-packed scenes as well as tender and inspiring moments, and then either falling asleep, or being bored to death. Life is short.  That's why it is so important to practice presence throughout the day in little chunks of time - "Mindfulness Minutes" . A great time to practice a mindfulness minute is during the transition points in your day.  When you wake up, when you are eating breakfast, when you get in the car, just stop for one moment as you put the keys in the ignition and be present.  When you sit down at your desk, when you break for lunch…you get the idea.  And of course just before you close your eyes to sleep. When you are alert to the moment and the world around you, in an open and receptive way, most of the time, life takes on a friendlier, more hopeful and meaningful outlook.  Even in our suffering we find things that we can be grateful for, and the practice of presence helps add meaning to our situation. Join us today for a lesson in the practice of the Mindfulness Minute!

S2018 E44 · Thu, February 15, 2018

MZD - Ep 44 Seeking Simplicity

There is something so wholesome and alluring about seeking the simplicity found in Nature, and escaping the craziness and cacophony of the man-made, synthetic world. Simplicity comes in many forms, but every one of these forms involves one thing – “Presence”. When there is worry and clutter and unresolved details in your inner and outer world, it’s easy to begin to lose a sense of presence, and be tempted to either, fall back into the past, filled with a sense of guilt, loss and regret.  Or, we tend to jump ahead into the future, surrounded by fear, anxiety and wistfulness –a longing for what is not yet here.  Both directions steal your joy by taking you away from the moment, and placing you where you can never be. When Thoreau went to the woods to live simply, he confirmed the truth that every one of us have all that we need to live and to be happy in what has been provided by the Creator of the Universe.  By returning to nature and the wild, his heart’s desire was to return to simplicity and true happiness.  So why would we ever look elsewhere?  Even back then in the mid-1800’s he observed the mass of men “leading lives of quiet desperation”.  Way before the internet! Technology isn’t the problem.  We are the problem. We lose our minds – become “unmindful” as we clutter, and try to fill our lives with a host of things we do not really want or need. Let today be a wake up call to take some time to do a personal life assessment and decide to unburden yourself of all that is unnecessary for your happiness. Welcome to today's show!

S2018 E43 · Mon, February 12, 2018

MZD - Ep 43 Tapping Into Nature for Personal Energy

“Where focus goes, energy flows.” ~ Tony Robbins Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed, overloaded with more than you can possibly handle or accomplish, and weighted down by a lack of motivation or energy to get it all done? Are you struggling with falling asleep at night and waking up in the morning? Do you wish you had more energy, just to enjoy life and be there, fully present for your family and friends and loved ones? We’re all aware that Nature provides us with the resources we need to generate energy for running our homes and places of work, our automobiles, machines and technology. We rely on things like – Coal, Wood, Petroleum, Wind, Solar, Water for heating and sources of power. But how often do we think of turning to Nature for energy and renewal in our personal lives? The good news is that Nature has an answer for every one of our energy problems and for giving us the get-up-and-go we crave and need in our lives. Join us for today's show to find out how!

S2018 E42 · Thu, February 08, 2018

MZD - Ep 42 Finding Your Way By Getting Lost

"Not all who wander are lost..." ~ Gandalf Do you ever feel like you’re caught on a merry-go-round, seeing the same old places, taking the same route to school or work, eating the same food, watching the same shows, thinking the same thoughts…rarely finding the element of joy or surprise in your life? There’s a saying that true happiness is when you can be on a detour and enjoy the scenery. In a world that is constantly accelerating faster and faster, we need to heed the call to learn of the Art of Slowing Down, and find the goodness and benefits that Nature has, just waiting for us to discover, partake in and enjoy.   When was the last time you got lost in the woods? When was the last time you took the long way home? Stopped and watched a butterfly? Listened to the rain patter on the tree leaves or windows? Paid attention the the way the wind felt blowing through your hair? We need a wake up call to get back off-track and into the wild again, where we belong. Join us for today's show as we get lost in the beauty of Nature, and in doing so, find our way back home...

S2018 E41 · Fri, February 02, 2018

MZD - Ep 41 A Nature Awakening

From time out of mind, we as human beings were a part of the natural world, living off the land, connecting with nature on a day-to-day basis, sometimes fighting against it for survival, but always depending on it for sustenance.  Without it we wouldn’t have been able to survive. And neither can we now. We just don’t realize it.  That’s because we have fallen asleep. Over the past few hundred years or so, as the Industrial Revolution rolled in, we slowly migrated farther and farther away from our beloved Mother Earth, and began relying more and more on technology for making a living and making a life. We lost the art of reading the land, listening to the rhythms of nature and basking in the beauty and benefits of the natural world. We forfeited the native wisdom that comes from being an indigenous people, and have begun relying solely on technology instead of terra firma. Falling asleep to the hum of radios, ringtones, and robots, we’ve cast away the beautiful whir of the wild and our true inner being. As a result, we’ve become numb and dull to the moment. We are easily distracted and find it hard to stay focused for any given length of time. We check our phones and Facebook and emails like a hunter checks his traps, waiting for the next big catch. The end result? In a word, we have become mindless. Join us for today's show to learn more...  

S2018 E40 · Wed, January 31, 2018

MZD - Ep 40 Practicing Presence

Meditation has hit the mainstream big time as a primary way to deal with all the pressures, stress and anxiety that comes with life. It is also a great tool for achieving and enhancing relaxation, focus and even productivity. It helps optimize the brain and gives it a state of restful alertness.  But I believe the best thing about meditation is it’s ability to help us be present and in the moment.  How often have you gone through your day and at the end of it can barely recall what you did, who you were with or what happened that day?  Life goes by so fast and before you know it, if you aren’t paying attention to all the moments that make up life you’ve missed it!  I’m reminded of Kenny Chesney’s song “Don’t Blink”, where he says, “Don’t blink, just like that you’re six years old and you take a nap, and you wake up and you’re twenty five…trust me friend, a hundred years goes faster than you think, so don’t blink…”  We’ve all been given the same 24 hours a day, but the practice of presence not only helps us be more productive in those 24 hours, but actually enjoy, remember, and frame them as meaningful moments. A great way to be present is to simply ask yourself, “Am I present?” The moment you do you become present. Try it and see if it’s not true. It’s a great little habit to get into! Welcome to Walden Wednesday!  Come on in...

S2018 E39 · Tue, January 30, 2018

MZD - Ep 39 Can Nature Make Us Smarter?

There have been so many recent findings and much scientific research on the topic of nature and our overall health and well-being.  Scientists are studying everything from how noise levels in our workplace and communities affect us, to what colors are the most effective psychologically for calming our spirits, and creating a sense of wellness in our lives. There have also been studies on the benefits of forest bathing – how trees affect our health, lower our blood pressure and cortisol levels, and help reduce stress. So we shouldn't be surprised by the findings that Nature is definitely good for our health, emotions and mental state, and that it can now be backed up by scientific evidence.  But what is really intriguing, is the new research that is proving that exposure to the living world, and being in the outdoors can actually make us smarter .  It's been proven that we have greater mental acuity after taking a Nature walk. Probably the best reason you can give for why Nature can make us smart is because Nature IS smart! Let’s face it. Nature knows what it is doing.  It has been programmed for sustainability and success.  This is good news because it reminds us that a sustainable world already exists. Throughout the ages wise men and women, great thinkers, writers, philosophers, musicians and artist have tapped into Nature for wisdom and creativity. Listen to today's show to find out more...

S2018 E38 · Fri, January 26, 2018

MZD - Ep 38 High Mountain Lake Meditation

“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” ~ Gary Snyder There is a place you can always go deep inside your heart and mind.  A beautiful place you are cultivating deep within your being.  And the more time you spend there putting in good thoughts and gratitude and images of nature and health and well-being, the more beautiful and helpful this inner retreat center becomes. Like a beautiful, tranquil garden that is daily tended with love and purpose, you will find that in your times of stress and difficulty you will have a beautiful place to retreat to. There is nothing more important that you can be doing than taking care of yourself.  If you are not in a good place yourself, then neither you can you be helpful or there for anybody else – not your children, your spouse, your friends and neighbors, coworkers, church or community – you are helpless until you get yourself grounded and healthy. Just like the oxygen mask they tell you to put on yourself first in case of emergency when flying, you have got to take some time each day to put on your mindfulness oxygen mask and breathe deeply the pure, sweet life-giving air of stillness and simplicity.  This is how we cultivate a life of true meaning and purpose.  A life that is healthy and able to give immensely to others out of abundance and not lack or need. With this in mind, we are going to take a little hike today to a high mountain lake.  So put on your most comfortable hiking shoes and clothes, maybe your favorite flannel shirt, your camel pack with snacks and water and your favorite walking stick. Glad you're here!

S2018 E37 · Wed, January 24, 2018

MZD- Ep 37 Winter Animals (Part 4)

  Do you ever feel like you’re just living from pay check to pay check, trying to fill your life with things, attempting to buy your way to happiness…but not really living ? At a time when people in the West have the highest standard of living that we have ever had, why is it that we are so empty and dissatisfied, always searching for more? More things to make us happy? We find ourselves so restless and always scratching and clawing for more. As humans we’re wired to become dissatisfied. We have an addiction and a craving for more. More, more, more… And we are encouraged to support and maintain the addiction through technology and information. All you have to do is turn on the TV or radio, open a magazine or book to learn that you are not enough. If you would just buy this product or wear this article of clothing or drive this car or use this lotion you would be happy and have exactly what it is you want and need and everyone would admire and adore you. Truth is, everything you need, you already have. The sooner we learn this the closer we will be to discover real happiness and true inner peace. Winter has a way of breaking things down to its barest essentials, reminding us what is truly necessary in order to live and be happy. Today take a little trip to Walden Pond and join Thoreau for a few minutes as he ruminates on the simple pleasures of Winter Animals. Glad you're here!  Come on  in...

S2018 E36 · Tue, January 23, 2018

MZD - Ep 36 Connecting with Animals (Part 2)

What would this world look like if we were the only living beings?” Not counting trees and plants of course. No cheery, warbling birdsong, no interesting movement in the air, on the ground or in the trees. No dogs barking, squirrels or rabbits playing, deer foraging or horses or cattle grazing. No tree frogs or crickets singing in the meadows and marshes, no fish biting and jumping in the ponds, rivers and lakes, no dolphins splashing or seagulls and shorebirds feeding in the ocean… No real mystery or wonder or possibility. Just a quiet, eerie planet with maybe a bit of wind blowing over the grassless plains. You see if there were no butterflies or bees to pollinate the flowers or birds to carry and drop seeds, if there were no coral to filter the oceans or beavers to create broad and wonderful wetlands, the world would basically whither up and turn into one vast and dull, lifeless and barren desert. A wilderness of nothingness. All animals play important roles in our ecosystem. It’s part of the ecological balance of Nature. Each working together has its job to do, whether it be bringing out the nutrients and quality of the soil, or helping with decomposition of wastes deposited by humans and other animals. But perhaps just as important as the ecological roles each living organism brings, is the way they help us connect with them and with each other. The truth is, in the deepest sense, we are Nature and Nature is us . There is no separating the two. Only a false duality of an “us” and “them” mentality. We are part of the same creation, the same Universe and even the same planet. We are all basically made up of the same elements - carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, calcium and phosphorus. This explains why there is already an underlying connection with wildlife and all thing living on planet Earth. And the realization and application of this connection can be so energizing, refreshing and healing. Ask birdwatchers or nature photographers or even hunters, “Where do you find your bliss?”, and most of them will tell you, “Duh! Being out in nature.” But what if you’re not a photographer, birder or hunter? What’s in it for me? Well here’s the good news! In a word, Life. Life means growth and growth means joy, because we were created to grow. It’s why we’re here. When you stop growing you start dying, and Nature is the best place I know to find that inner voice that leads the way. Listen to today's show to learn more!

S2018 E35 · Mon, January 22, 2018

MZD - Episode 35 Connecting With Animals (Part 1)

We share the planet with beautiful wildlife and amazing creatures and don’t even realize the benefits we receive from them. There is often an intuitive connection that we immediately feel when in the presence of a non-human living being.  One of the things that attracts us to animals and that we especially love about our pets is their authenticity and trusting nature.  What you see is what you get.  They don’t play games with your emotions or generally try to hide the truth.  You don’t have to walk on eggshells around them, (unless they’re chickens).  They just are who they are and love you unconditionally. Have you ever thought about how amazing this is? What a gift! Join us for today's show!  Come on in...

S2018 E34 · Fri, January 19, 2018

MZD - Ep 34 Tree-Mend-Us Trees!

Have you ever really stopped to think about and appreciate how amazing trees are? I mean, picture this – what would the world be like if we didn’t have them? Well for starters, we’d all be dead because we depend on trees to take our exhaled carbine dioxide and turn it into wonderful, life-giving oxygen that we kinda depend on. There are many more benefits that trees bring to the earth besides producing oxygen. Aside from the fact that they are beautiful and provide a rich aesthetic quality to the landscape, they provide shade, they yield delicious fruit and nuts and provide shelter and living quarters for birds and smaller animals, they soothe and relax us, they reduce pollution, improve the beauty of our neighborhoods and surroundings, lower our energy costs, and even increase the value of your property! Not only that, but even their color - green, is a cool and calming color known to help our eyes quickly recover from strain. We also love and revere trees for what they stand for. Since time began, trees have symbolized life and wisdom and renewal – You’ve got the “Tree of Life”, the “World Tree”, and in the Garden of Eden there was the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”. We even bring Christmas trees into our homes to celebrate the season. We’ve talked about it before, but there is a relatively new medical practice called “Shinrin Yoku” , Forest Bathing. In fact, just in today’s news feed, the Travel Channel did a whole feature on it, talking about the many benefits of spending time in nature and forests for mental and physical health. You should check it out here . After listening to today's show, you may find yourself wanting to hug a tree and say "Thank you!"  (Even if you don't consider yourself a "Tree Hugger").

S2018 E33 · Thu, January 18, 2018

MZD - Ep 33 Struggling With Stillness

“Why is it when I try to meditate, my mind wanders all over the place and I can’t seem to be still?” We all struggle with this annoying little monster in our daily meditation practice.  There’s this constant chatter going on in the back of our minds.  The voice and circular, recycled thoughts that won’t seem to go away no matter how hard you try. And who is that voice, by the way?  We listen to it all the time and think it’s us.  It is constantly narrating and talking and making judgments inside our head.  And it never shuts up.  It talks about, thinks about and judges everything and is never still.  It has a need to express worries and doubts and anxieties and all the things it thinks you should be doing or shouldn’t have done, and on and on and on… If you struggle with stillness in your mind, today's show is for you! Come on in..

S2018 E32 · Wed, January 17, 2018

MZD - Episode 32 Winter Animals (Part 3)

Research has shown that just 15 minutes in nature can make you happier.  After just sitting outside in a park or forest for 15 minutes people reported that they began to feel psychologically restored. So what are you doing to give yourself that extra boost of Vitamin N here in the dead of winter? Join us for today's show as we continue our adventure in Thoreau's chapter called "Winter Animals" from his classic, "Walden". You'll feel better...even if it is just second-hand Vitamin N!

S2018 E31 · Tue, January 16, 2018

MZD - Ep 31 Creating Your Own Nature Zen Den

For some folks, winter-time is a time for personal hibernation, where you just want to crawl under the covers and eat and sleep and watch TV. Getting out in the frigid arctic air and taking a winter’s walk and getting some “Nature exposure” is the last thing you feel like doing. If you happen to be one of those kind of people, I have some good news for you!  There are plenty of other ways to get your Nature-fix" and stay mindfully inspired on a daily basis, capturing some of the goodness and benefits she has to offer without necessarily going outdoors or on a long hike or camping trip. You can set yourself up for success not only in connecting with nature, but for meditation by creating an environment of beauty and inspiration right in your own home or workspace. Today's show will give you some great ideas for setting up your own Zen Den. Glad you're here!

S2018 E30 · Mon, January 15, 2018

MZD - Ep 30 Trusting the Process

Is there something in particular that is stressing you out right now, at this moment?  There is something you can do about it. Breathe.  Practice breathing every time you are aware that you are feeling stressed and you will begin to feel relief. No, it doesn’t necessarily immediately solve the problem, or pay the bill, or fix the relationship or whatever.  But what it does do is give you the balance and harmony and inner peace, strength and courage to realize that you have it within you whatever it takes to deal with the issues of the day in the moment. If we’re willing to just trust the process and not freak out, we can not only deal with the challenges that are coming at as at a thousand miles and hour, but we can learn to enjoy the experience by knowing that the "superpowers" we have been given are more than sufficient for dealing with each situation as it comes. When you combine faith and prayer and trust, by doing the simple things you know to do, a courage and strength will come from deep within that will help you overcome and deal with every obstacle and disappointment life can throw you. Join us for today's show!

S2018 E29 · Fri, January 12, 2018

MZD - Ep 29 Starting a Nature Journal

There are as many ways of connecting with Nature as there are people. One of my favorite, most meaningful ways is by keeping a Nature journal – a written record of some kind that captures your thoughts, observations and even drawings if you like, of all the natural world around you. It is interesting to note that the words Journal and Journey share the same Middle English root word – “diurnal” meaning “daily”. This can and should be a daily exercise that helps keep us grounded and rooted in not only our hearts to be in touch with what are thinking, feeling and experiencing, but in the world around us also. Most all the great naturalists kept journals of some sort that helped them make sense of the natural world. Here are a few reasons you should keep a Nature journal...

S2018 E28 · Wed, January 10, 2018

MZD - Ep 28 Winter Animals (Part 2)

Nature is so good at bringing us back to the present and keeping us in the moment because she offers so much goodness to observe and experience. To a lot of folks, the winter can seem like a really dead time, where everything lies cold and dormant and Nature is asleep.  And while that is partially true, there is so much life and activity going on unseen to the untrained eye. You can become an astute observer of nature and enjoy all the signs of life happening all around you even in the dead of winter.  All it takes is intention and a bit of good timing for you to see the little miracles that are constantly taking place no matter what time of year it is. For the next stretch, Wednesdays will be known as “Walden Wednesdays” here at Mountain Zen Den because we’ll share some of Thoreau’s wisdom and cover his ideas of simplicity in living with the natural world. The other day we read from the chapter “Winter Animals”, and we’re going to pick up where we left off there today. Welcome to "Walden Wednesday" at Mountain Zen Den!    

S2018 E27 · Wed, January 10, 2018

MZD - Ep 27 The Gift of Mindfulness

Wouldn't it be great if you could live in a constant state of joy and tranquility by being mindfully present on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis? We all struggle with simply being in the moment, and not making the past or future our permanent dwelling place. It’s part of the human condition. We have become so stale in our obsessive recycled thoughts. The best way to approach Beginner’s Mind is to open the front door of your spirit and let the fresh breeze blow through your soul, airing out all that is “known” and “tiresome” from your mind. Our purpose here at Mountain Zen Den is to help you discover and maintain Beginner’s Mind through your meditation and in your life by connecting with Nature. A Beginner’s Mind is a joyful mind because it is learning to be present, in the moment, now.  This happens through the gift of mindfulness. Come on in to find out how...