By Sharon Ray
Norman Paulsen, the founder of Sunburst, loved spending time out in Nature. “Mother’s Nature” he called it. He said: “Look at that sun shining out there. Look at that blue sky and the waters upon the earth. What a miracle! Look at the mountains and valleys covered with Mother’s natural images, her garden of life-forms.”
When I am facing difficult challenges, the focus of my attention can become very small. My thoughts and energies center around my problem or situation, making me feel like my brain is stuck in a self-made steam room. It is so helpful at these times to go out into the wide, open spaces of Nature. There, in the cool breezes, I am able to regain a sense of perspective, peace and equanimity. I begin to feel, “Gee, the world is so big, beautiful, and full of God, what I’m going through doesn’t seem so huge a deal after all. You know, everything is all right!”
 Ananda Moyi Ma of India encouraged her students to partake of the healing forces of Nature. She told them, “Try always to spend as much time as you can in the open air. Gaze to your heart’s content at the lofty mountains or on the wide ocean. If you cannot do anything else, at least peer at the open sky whenever you have the chance. Little by little the rigid knots that make up your shackles will be loosened and you will find yourself becoming freer. A fully awakened consciousness functions only through and untrammeled mind and body. When both body and mind are light it is easy to attain to Liberation.”
Father-Mother God, help me make time to commune with you in nature. May your cool waters, your warm breezes, and your dappled shade become a healing force in my life. I take the time to heal, to rejuvenate, and to play, that I may all the better serve you. Amen
