Connecting With Life Force in Nature

Article by Angie Webster

One of the most amazing ways to feel the wonderful connection we have with all of life is outdoors. While many people recognize this, we often get so busy that we don’t remember to pay attention to it. Sometimes it can be a challenge to get outside at all, if we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with the feeling of “hurry”. However, the outdoors is the best possible place to ground. And there is so much life and energy moving in an unrestricted manner that it is far easier to sense, if we only take the time to slow ourselves for a moment to practice tuning in to it.

The best part about tuning in to the flow of energy while you are outdoors is that it is so simple! There is very little you have to do, aside from consciously turning your attention toward noticing the energy. You can do this as you take a walk, while hiking, swimming, or you can pause for a moment as you take your garbage out to notice and connect with the life force energy. Any activity you are doing outside is a great opportunity to notice and sense your connection.

If you are already very tuned in to energy flow and sense it easily, you will probably feel it immediately when you are outdoors, without much effort at all. It’s possible that if you have spent a lot of your time in outdoor activities, you have already noticed this active energy flow during your time in nature. If you have more difficulty sensing energy, spending time outdoors, in whatever activity feels good to you, will likely help increase your awareness of it fairly quickly. Even a few minutes of conscious connection with nature each day will strengthen the connection to life force energy for anyone.

A great way to practice this, that can be done most anywhere is to start by going outside to someplace you are comfortable. That doesn’t have to be complicated. If you aren’t an outdoors person, or if it is winter where you are, simply step out your front door for a moment. Or you can go to a local park, walk around your block, seek some lovely trees that you like in your yard or your neighborhood. Use your imagination! Creativity will only increase the benefits of the practice!

Once you are outside, begin to notice the quality of the air and how it feels moving in and out of your body. Notice how it feels on your skin. Consciously become aware of the way the sunlight feels on your skin. Tune in to any sounds in your environment. Pay special attention to notice the living creatures whose sounds you may not typically be aware of—birds, insects, dogs, or maybe children.

Next, scan the area for the visual details. Really check in and notice things you might normally look over as you rush about your daily activities. Notice all the small animals in the trees or in the grass and bushes. Notice the variety of birds and the colors they display. Notice how they behave. Maybe you can spot a butterfly or another insect and observe it for a moment. Notice the people, if there are any in the area. Observe any plant life or trees. Really notice what they look like. See their surface and their unique design.

Employ as many of your senses as you can in this process. If you are willing, touch something in your environment so that you can make a physical connection. Touch the bark of a tree or a blade of grass. (Never try to touch a wild animal! This is not healthy for you or them.) Inhale and notice the scent of the air. If you are most comfortable stopping at the sense of sight, that’s fine, too.

Once you have scanned your chosen area, try noticing if you are aware of a feeling of subtle vibration coursing around and through your body. You may experience it as a sense of tingling or gentle buzzing, particularly in the hands or feet, or maybe in your face. It’s possible that you will feel it more as a sense of extreme well-being or peace. A sort of an inner calm that fills your mind and gently courses through your body.

You can intentionally direct this calm outward, to the plant, trees, animals, insects, water and all life around you, if you choose, or to an individual tree or animal. It is a lovely way to end the practice.

As you practice this regularly, you will likely begin to notice that you feel very connected to all of the things you are aware of, including the sky above you and the sun. None of it will feel separate from you and you will become aware that you are part of one energy that flows through all things. The practice need only be a couple of minutes, though it can be however long you choose.

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Angie Webster made a significant contribution to the Reiki community, with a particular focus on Animal Reiki, which she had a deep affection for. As a knowledgeable Reiki Master Teacher and Author, she conducted online courses on energy healing, herbalism, flower essences, and personal growth.
She is the author of “Animal Reiki: How it Heals, Teaches & Reconnects Us with Nature” and “Reiki from A to Z”. Currently, Angie has decided to retire from her professional life to devote more time to her health, family, and the little joys of life.