Practice: Sun-Kissed Stillness: A Nature Embodiment Meditation

Have you ever felt that your connection to yourself and the world around you has become dulled by the constant noise of modern life? This episode offers a sanctuary—a guided meditation practice that gently leads you back to your senses, your body, and the natural world that holds us all.

Lizzy guides you through a sensory meditation designed specifically to be experienced outdoors. Rather than complicated techniques or esoteric concepts, this practice returns to the fundamentals: feeling sunlight on your skin, noticing the sounds around you, experiencing the support of the earth beneath you. The meditation moves through each sense methodically, creating space for you to rediscover the subtle sensations that often go unnoticed in our busy lives.

What makes this practice unique is its emphasis on our intrinsic connection to nature. As Lizzy reminds us, "Your body belongs in nature. It is nature." This simple truth has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and our place in the world. The meditation invites you to experience this connection directly, not just intellectually—to feel the steadiness of the earth and the warmth of the sun as tangible reminders of your belonging.

Whether you're new to meditation or have an established practice, this episode offers a refreshing approach that doesn't demand perfection. Instead, it creates space for genuine presence, encouraging you to carry "even just a thread of this presence" forward into your day. Sometimes the most powerful reset doesn't come from doing more, but from simply being—outside, breathing, and noticing the world with fresh eyes. We invite you to step outside, press play, and remember what it feels like to truly be here, now.

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Chapters

• 0:08 Welcome to Modern Zen Collective
• 0:48 Invitation to Outdoor Meditation
• 2:10 Sensory Awareness Practice Begins
• 4:56 Connecting with Earth and Sunlight
• 9:14 Closing Reflections and Gratitude
• 11:16 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:08

Hi, I'm Lizzie and I'm Nikki. Have you ever felt that your life was missing purpose, joy or deep connection? Welcome to the Modern Zen Collective Podcast, where we embrace holistic living for a joyful, purpose-driven life. In today's episode, we will be sharing one of the practices we use to help us release, receive, come back into alignment and connect with the divinity within and all around us. We hope you enjoy it and continue to join us weekly on the Modern Zen Collective Podcast, elevating your mind, body and spirit. And now today's practice. Hi, friend, it's Lizzie.

Speaker 1: 1:12

Before we begin, I want to invite you to take this meditation outside, into real sunlight, into the presence of nature, wherever you can find it today. Maybe it's your backyard, quiet park or a little patch of sun on your porch. There's something so sacred about letting the natural world hold you while you return to your breath, to your body, to yourself. This meditation is all about reconnecting with your senses, softening into stillness and remembering that your body belongs in nature. It is nature. So, when you're ready, find your spot, press play and let's meet in the sun. And let's meet in the sun. Welcome, beautiful soul.

Speaker 1: 2:10

As you listen to this, you are already outside, somewhere. You feel safe, connected and held by the natural world. Take a moment to look around, take in your surroundings, feel the air on your skin. Now let your body begin to settle. You may be standing, seated or lying down. There's no right or wrong, only what feels most supportive for you in this moment. Let your arms rest, let your shoulders drop and take a deep, grounding breath in and sigh it out the mouth. Now gently draw your awareness to your senses. What do you see, without labeling or analyzing? Just notice Colors, light shapes, maybe some shadows dancing, the way sunlight filters through the leaves or reflects off the water or some stone.

Speaker 1: 3:44

Now shift to hearing. What do you hear around you? Are there birds singing, the wind blowing, maybe some distant voices or rustling branches? Let the soundscape become a soft background to your breath. Now tune into smell. Maybe the scent of the earth, wildflowers, salt air, grass or just the fresh neutrality of the breeze. There's no need to force focus, you're simply returning to presence again and again. Now, gently bring your attention to the sunlight touching your body. Feel it on your skin, perhaps your face, arms, chest or legs. Notice the temperature, the texture. Does it feel soft, strong, like a blanket, or maybe a kiss? Let your body respond to the sunlight. Maybe your muscles start to soften, maybe your breath deepens. Naturally, begin to scan your body slowly, from the crown of your head down to your toes, as you do, notice where the sunlight lands and notice what you feel in those places Warmth, tingling, openness. If you find any place that feels tight or tender, simply send your breath there.

Speaker 1: 6:31

Offer it space and sunlight now shift your awareness to the earth beneath you, or maybe it's around you. What is it like? Grass, sand, stone, maybe soil? Feel it under your feet, your seat, maybe your hands if they're resting down. Imagine your body becoming a little heavier with each exhale, sinking into the support of the ground. Feel yourself held by the earth, unmoving, steady, ancient, steady, ancient. Let yourself belong here, right here. Now.

Speaker 1: 8:13

Become still, but notice how much is still happening inside. Feel the breeze against your skin. Feel the gentle rhythm of your breath. Feel your heart beating in your chest. Maybe there's a little sway in your body, a response to balance, wind or energy. Let it be Just notice your body is part of nature. It knows how to be here. Trust it. Begin to gently return your awareness to the bigger picture around you. Open your eyes if they were closed. Notice the sunlight again and how it feels now. Notice how your body feels now, the subtle shift. Notice any quietness or clarity that has emerged.

Speaker 1: 9:40

Take one final deep inhale and this time breathe in sunlight, breath and life, and exhale any residue of tension or distraction. Pause here for just a moment longer and offer a simple thank you to the sun, to the earth, to your body. You were here, you are here. Let that truth anchor you through the rest of your day. Thank you for being here with me, out in the sunshine, in your body and in this moment. Sometimes the most powerful reset doesn't come from doing more, but from simply being Outside, breathing and noticing as you move through the rest of your day. See if you can carry even just a thread of this presence with you the warmth on your skin, the steadiness in your breath and knowing that you are so deeply connected to the earth, to yourself, to this life. If this practice spoke to you, we'd love to hear about it. And until next time, time, keep listening inward, stay grounded and let the light guide you. See you next time. Thank you for watching.