Listening to Nature: How to Deepen Your Awareness of Nature is written as a guide for people to connect with nature. As the author, Joseph Cornell, writes “Few of us live in wilderness areas, so we’re not often able to stay in the wilds long enough to have these kinds of experiences, but all of us can become more receptive to the aspects of nature, we do experience. Because, it isn’t where we are that’s important--rather it’s how deeply we are able to see and experience, no matter where we.” He arranges Listening to Nature: How to Deepen Your Awareness of Nature as a monthly diary to be used again and again.
Each day (chapter) has an exquisite photograph by John Hendrickson for the reader to ponder while reading the accompanying quote. Then Joseph Cornell gives that day’s task for becoming more acquainted with nature. He offers simple instructions to help the reader to be mindful of nature.
Using this book will help the reader to immerse himself in nature, whether it is an urban park or a rural farm. Read the quote, admire the picture, and think about that day’s nature activities. Even when the reader cannot go outside, they can still “listen to nature.”
Excepts from chapter on “Day Nine”
“You cannot perceive beauty but with a serene mind.” Henry David Thoreau
“Often, our minds are like the switch on a short-wave radio: when the switch is set to ‘broadcast.’ All we can hear is our own voice talking, we can’t really hear until the switch is turned to ‘receive’.”
“Similarly, a busy, chattering mind is always in ‘sending mode.’ The noise of our own minds prevents us from deeply experiencing and leaving from the world around us.”
“When you are out in nature, be sure to take time to let your mind stop describing, analyzing, and evaluating. Simply let it witness and appreciate what your senses bring to its attention.”
Va. Carper
February 20, 2003