Outdoor Meditation

There are many threads about setting up some form of temple but all have been dismissed as not happening anytime soon. So I though it would be a good idea to start a thread relating to where people like to go and meditate, so at least you have a chance of meeting another jedi, and if your away from home then you can find a near by place to go and have peace. I'd imagine most like to meditate outdoors, like myself, so I've started a map, that can be edited, of recommended mediation spots. Feel free to add your own. I'd also like to know people opinions on outdoor meditation, whether your for or against it, etc.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
204693208163889842049.0004d780c261e6bc69d02

It is a nice idea, but here is a map of our members:

http://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/Offline-activities/93376-Official-TOTJO-Member-Map

So we should add ourselves there (read guide on the thread). As you can see a group meditation setting would have to be organised as people would have to travel a fair way in most cases!

Highly recommend outdoor meditation, although I prefer being secluded. I don't like people watching, haha.

I went hiking last weekend to the Sierra Estrella mountains in the Phoenix AZ area. It's a difficult spot to get to (need 4 wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle) and so not many people wander over there due to the difficulty of access.

I was all by myself for several hours. My only companions were the birds and coyotes.

Loved it.

I think it's a great idea. People do travel and if you happen to be in the area of another jedi it could be fun to meditate in a place that they reccomend.

And nature is such a perfect place for it. It's fun to see the psychological effects it can have, good and bad. Like when you go camping by yourself in big cat and "big foot" territory and you're just not sure if you're being watched or not...of course you're usually not but it's fun to see how imagination can run wild.

I usually go outside to the abandoned iron works near my house. Its peaceful because I just sit there and be part of nature's retaking of mankinds handiwork. Quiet except for the wildlife, a river idly goes by, my fire crackles behind me and I just sit on top of the "church"(that's the local name for the building, don't really know what it was for) close my eyes and let time fly.

I have found such peace in nature, such solace. A few times I felt closer to god in the wilderness, no one around for miles. I cannot really meditate as it were, but seek out such spots of tranquility, of which I have found many.

Peace, jedi.

I find it easiest to connect/meditate when I'm outside. It's easier to feel like I'm part of the world rather than a person in the world when it's all swarming around me in nature. Natural light contributes quite a bit, whether it be Sun, moon, or stars. I like it. I live in a rural area, so just stepping outside means I'm in a pretty natural place. I don't have a garage, so my car is parked under the sky; I like to sit and meditate on the trunk of my car. Feeling/smelling the wind and Sun, hearing the trees of the forest that is my backyard (and front yard), and just tuning in to it all is fantastic.

Sadly I do not really have the locales for this sort of thing sadly. I do however enjoy listening to rain when I meditate, similar thing to listening to flowing water etc...

Desolous wrote: I have found such peace in nature, such solace.

Omg. In German would that be 'de solace'? :ohmy:

Living in a rural area really makes it quite simple to escape the noises and distractions of town. We have many trails that lead into the mountains, and one could be by themselves for great amounts of time without seeing a single person. Meditating in a natural setting seems more tranquil to me and allows a deeper state of meditation. Much respect to those who can meditate within noise infested cities, etc, though.

I have access to pristine forest and plains as well as a bustling city. The feeling is the same. My meditations find the music of the world wherever I am. Inside IS outside. All the smells, sounds, vibrations...just different notes played on different instruments...like classical vs. punk rock. Different...but the same...