Conscious Nature by Josh Lane

“If one takes the view that all of life is Sacred and connected to the Great Mystery, then all of Nature becomes a doorway to the Infinite”

Josh Lane, Conscious Nature

Josh Lane is a nature mentor with a diverse background that includes yoga, meditation practices, holistic tracking, bird language, and wilderness skills. Conscious Nature: The Art and Neuroscience of Meditation in Nature is his exploration into the ways that meditation in the natural world can increase creativity, soothe the body, and help us explore our interdependence and connection to the web of life.

In part one of this book, Lane provides the reader with a variety of meditation practices that help establish your own connection to nature. He also provides the reader with easy-to-understand explanations about the neuroscience behind these meditation practices.

In parts two and three of this book, Lane guides the reader through his four-part awareness cycle and provides guidance around an eight-day practice to further expand the reader’s connection to the world around them.

Lane weaves the science and meditation practices with many personal stories and Star Wars references. In his section on working with fear, Lane retells the story of Luke’s experiences with Yoda and a cave on Dagobah. I found this strategy a great way for Lane to connect the practices presented in the book to my personal experiences. I may not have been able to study tracking skills with the tribal elders in the Kalahari, but I do know Star Wars.

But perhaps the part that I enjoyed the most about this book, is that Lane was able to demonstrate the research he did on this topic by providing quotes and references from a variety of sources including Qi-Gong, Forest Bathing, Buddhist studies, Shamanic work, and western medical studies.

Below are a few of my favorite quotes found in this book:

“The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it”

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“Through practice, that which is hidden becomes subtle, Then that which is subtle becomes obvious”

Taoist saying

“You did not come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. Your are not a stranger here”

Alan Watts

And finally,

“How would it impact your life to feel more consciously connect with Nature?

Josh Lane

For those looking to find practical ways to deepen their connection to the natural world, this is a great resource. For those with an existing nature connection practice, this book can provide you with new challenges and inspiration to continue on with your journey.

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To learn more about Josh Lane and his work, visit ConsciousNature.net