Praying with the Help of Nature

Overview

Praying with the help of nature allows the participant to experience prayer through the senses. It frees us to know ourselves and God more deeply, helping us to grow closer to nature itself.

A Sensory Reflection Exercise

You can either wander, or rest quietly to do the following:

What do I see?

(Take in the view)

Repeat to yourself: I see....; I see.....; I see ...until you cannot add anything. Be amazed how much you can see: from the small to the grand scale! We need to retrain our minds to “mindfully” take in all that is around us!

What insight (internal seeing) does this exercise give me?

What do I hear?

(Take time to listen to the sounds around you)

Repeat to yourself: I hear....; I hear...; I hear... until you cannot add anything. Be amazed at what you can hear when you are still.

What am I hearing in my heart as a result of doing this exercise?

What do I smell?

(Take time to smell the environment around you.)

Take some deep breaths and feel the air coming in your nostrils and then coming out of your body through your mouth.

Then repeat to yourself: I smell....I smell.... I smell....

What is the smell of God?

What do I feel?

Take time to feel the environment around you: by touch; through the soles of your feet; through your skin; your face; heat, cold, rough; smooth; wet, dry.

What does this experience leave me feeling inside?

BE in the moment and give thanks to God for the gifts of creation.

Stop and hold your hand on something from nature and offer a spontaneous word or prayer of gratitude.