We Are Nature

We might think that we're separate from nature, although we're simply part of nature, but we are nature. And as soon as we remember this, then we can never be alone again. To simply be nature, we have to let go of our thinking. We can't think of ourselves in relation to nature, 'cause as long as we do that, then we're always gonna be part of nature. There's a sense of well, there's nature, and there's us, and we're one part of it. But the moment we let go of thinking, the moment we sort of resist the temptation to box life up in that way, there is nature, and there's us. Then again, there's a sense of freedom in the mind, a sense of ease, and those qualities that we see in nature, that we admire in nature. Those qualities that perhaps make us feel sort of as though there is something bigger than ourselves. All of a sudden that becomes part of who we are, how we live, and how we experience the mind, moment to moment throughout the day. So just taking a moment to settle yourself, make sure you're sitting comfortably. We're gonna begin with some deep breaths, but just make sure that the eyes are open, not staring at any one thing, just a nice soft focus, and just maintaining that focus. Just taking those deep breaths in through the nose, and out through the mouth. And with the next out breath, just closing the eyes, and just feeling the weight of gravity pressing down, just focusing on those different points of contact. And just noticing any sounds around you now. And bringing the attention back to the body now. Just getting a sense of how the body feels today. First, just a very general sense. And then starting at the top of the head, just scanning all the way down, not stopping in any particular place, but evenly scanning from head to toe. And just shifting the attention, the focus to the breath now. To begin with, in a very general way, just noticing where in the body you feel that rising and falling sensation of the breath. Taking a moment to notice the rhythm of the breath right now. And as you rest the attention, as you rest the mind on that movement of breath. Just beginning to count the breaths as they pass. One with the rising sensation, two with the fall, then three, then four, just up to a count of 10 each time. Just continuing in that way now. And noticing when the mind's been distracted in some way, letting go of that distraction, and bringing the attention back to the movement of breath. And when you realize that the mind's been distracted, just acknowledging it, letting it go, bringing the attention back to the breath again, just picking up the counting from where you left off. So the moment you realize that the mind's wandered off, just gently...