Our Mindful Nature: Meditations Inspired by Nature to Soothe the Overwhelmed Mind and Ease Anxiety - podcast cover

Our Mindful Nature: Meditations Inspired by Nature to Soothe the Overwhelmed Mind and Ease Anxiety

Meryl Arnettblubrry.com
Feeling overwhelmed despite your best self-care practices? You’re not alone. Anxiety, stress, and mental health struggles are at an all-time high — even for those of us in healing professions. After teaching and practicing meditation for 15+ years, host Meryl Arnett shares the secret to deep, restorative and helpful meditation practices - nature-inspired meditation. Meryl’s soothing guidance and high-quality nature soundscapes will help you to: - Cultivate a meditation practice that relieves stress and quiets the mind - Strengthen your resilience and compassion through mindful connection - Relax and reconnect deeply with immersive, nature-infused meditations Tune in every Monday and Thursday for nature-inspired meditations designed to calm an overwhelmed mind, ease anxiety, and deepen your connection to yourself and the world around you. No fluff, just powerful meditation practices released every Monday and Thursday. Start now by listening to fan favorite “Overwhelmed by Noon? Try This Quick Lunch Break Meditation for Stress Relief” and reclaim your peace.

Episodes

Guided Evening Meditation: Release the Day's Tension (For the Overwhelmed Mind)

Just The Meditation ✨ Do you ever find yourself lying in bed, unable to turn off your mind—still thinking about the stress of the day or worrying about tomorrow? End-of-day fatigue and mental chatter can make it hard to truly unwind, leaving you restless and disconnected. But what if you could release the tension and reclaim your evenings with a simple, soothing meditation? In this episode, you will consciously release the day's tensions and reconnect with yourself before sleep with a beautiful ...

Feb 19, 202511 min

Overwhelmed by Noon? Try This Quick Lunch Break Meditation for Stress Relief

Overwhelmed? Stressed? Anxious? Try this quick 10-minute, lunch break meditation that is designed to reset the nervous system and quiet the mind. No chatter; no distractions - this episode is JUST THE MEDITATION. Pop-in your headphones, settle into a comfy spot and let's meditate on our lunch break. Today's meditation music comes to us from a bamboo forest on the road to Hana - almost musical, definitely rhythmic, and always soothing. Take a few minutes for yourself and experience this grounding...

Feb 17, 20257 min

Midday Reset: A 10-Minute Lunch Break Meditation for Anxiety Relief

Do you ever start your day with the best of intentions—only to find yourself overwhelmed by midday, rushing through lunch, and feeling completely drained? Midday stress can quickly derail even the best-planned day, leaving you exhausted and disconnected from yourself. But what if just 5-10 minutes of mindfulness could reset your nervous system and bring you back to center? In this episode, Meryl Arnett shares a simple yet powerful lunchtime meditation to help you feel grounded, refreshed, and re...

Feb 13, 202515 min

Wake Up with Gratitude: Morning Meditation from Maui (Start Your Day Calm & Free from Anxiety)

What if you could start your day feeling grounded, grateful, and clear-minded—without the noise and distractions? In this peaceful guided meditation, you’ll be immersed in the sounds of a Maui sunrise, setting the tone for a day filled with intention and gratitude. No chatter, no clutter—just a mindful practice designed to help you cultivate calm, connection, and resilience from the moment you wake up. ✅ Awaken with a sense of gratitude and purpose ✅ Feel deeply connected to nature’s rhythm and ...

Feb 10, 202511 min

Ocean Meditation: Exploring Dreams, Oracle Cards & the Subconscious (Overwhelmed? Try This Calming Practice)

Exploring the Depths of Awareness In this final episode of our heartfulness series, we’re diving below the surface of mindfulness into the rich, uncharted waters of the subconscious. While mindfulness often focuses on our conscious, waking mind, heartfulness invites us to explore the deeper layers of our being — the parts of us that dwell in dreams, intuition, and quiet knowing.

Jan 23, 202521 min

Intention & Attention: Nature-based Meditation for Heartfulness

Welcome back to Our Mindful Nature! This week, we’re continuing our heartfulness series by stepping off the meditation cushion and into the great outdoors. Last episode, we explored the softer, heart-led practice of meditation — a way of being curious, embodied, and a co-participant in the experience rather than its manager. But heartfulness isn’t just for meditation; it’s a lens for living. And one of the most powerful ways to nurture heartfulness is by connecting with nature....

Jan 16, 202517 min

New Year's Day Intention & Guided Meditation: Heartfulness, A Softer Path in 2025

Happy New Year and welcome back to Our Mindful Nature, where we explore the intersection of meditation, nature, and mental health. Let’s start the year by diving into a fresh, gentler perspective on mindfulness — or should we say, heartfulness? In this episode, I share a thought that’s been swirling in my mind: what if we reframed our practice? While in the West, meditation is often translated as “mindfulness,” the original Pali word aligns more closely with the concept of “heartfulness.” Imagin...

Jan 09, 202518 min

Winter Solstice Guided Meditation; Live Retreat Recording

Today’s episode of Our Mindful Nature - a live recording of my Winter Solstice meditation retreat - is the perfect practice to welcome in the winter season. A mini meditation retreat you can do at home! The Winter Solstice is always a discussion of light and dark. Mythology abounds, as do rituals of celebration and reflection. In this class, you will hear some of the mythology surrounding the Winter Solstice. We will explore what it means to ‘harvest the fire’ in this season; we will talk about ...

Dec 19, 202428 min

Winter Sleep Meditation: Held in the Womb of the Earth

A winter sleep meditation for you today, dear listeners! As we slip into the darker, colder, and yet somehow busier part of the year I thought we would dedicate some class time to the richness of rest. This episode is an invitation to get cozy, to set aside your to-do list for a few moments, and rest. You can utilize this guided meditation for Naptime or a mid-day reset Gentle guidance into evening sleep Support for falling back asleep if you wake in the middle of the night And listeners, I have...

Dec 12, 202415 min

Night Under the Stars {Winter Edition}; A Story from Glacier National Park

There is something magical about the night sky and the winter woods; a place of dreams and possibility; a place of rest and restoration. In today’s episode of Our Mindful Nature, nature field recordist Nick McMahan shares a dreamscape from Glacier National Park. Not quite a guided meditation, not quite a sleep-story, but rather a meditative experience. A connection to both land and self. Perfect for relaxing before bed, taking a mid-day break, or adding some wintery vibes to your day. You will h...

Dec 05, 202415 min

A Recipe for Feeling Seen: Breathing with Trees

Recently, I had a moment where I just didn’t feel seen. And later, as I was processing those feelings, I picked up James Crews’ newest book of poetry, Unlocking the Heart, and I opened to the poem, ‘The World Loves You Back’ - It was exactly what I needed to hear. That I/You/We are all seen for exactly who we are by the animate earth around us. That we aren’t alone. In today’s meditation class, we explore the significance of belonging and being actively engaged in one’s environment. We delve int...

Nov 28, 202432 min

A Quiet Corner Within Ourselves: Poetry, Presence and Practice with James Crews

Friends, grab a cup of tea, your coziest blanket and join me as we welcome back poet James Crews. James has been a guest on Our Mindful Nature multiple times and his thoughtful presence has become something I look forward to each year. James and I sat down to chat about his new book 'Unlocking the Heart: Writings for Mindfulness, Courage, and Self-Compassion’ right before the November election in the U.S. Together, we reflect on life's challenging moments, the role of poetry in providing solace,...

Nov 21, 202442 min

Simple Acts of Care for Anxiety, Stress, and Mental Balance + Guided Meditation

Oh y’all. If you are struggling to practice right now; I’m with you. If anxiety and overwhelm are front and center; I’m with you. If you aren’t sure you can even stand to listen to a whole podcast episode right now; I’m with you. It is a lot. All of it. As I thought about what might be helpful in the month of November, what felt the most resonant (at least to me) is to focus on the simplest acts of care. This episode highlights the major teachings I’ve shared in classes and on the podcast throug...

Nov 13, 202435 min

Rest as a Sacred Practice: Practical Wisdom from Rest Coach Octavia Raheem

In this episode of 'Our Mindful Nature,' I am delighted to welcome back Octavia Raheem, acclaimed author, rest coach and dear friend, to discuss her newest book, 'Rest is Sacred.' Together, we explore the significance of rest, what it means to rest, and, more importantly, what it looks like to find rest in the midst of constant “busyness”. Octavia shares insights on the various forms rest can take, from conventional yoga practices to simple mindful pauses in daily life. At the end, Octavia share...

Nov 07, 202432 min

The Middle Way: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Chaos | Guided Meditation

“If one sees two women sitting at a crossroads, facing one another, they are engaged in witchcraft.” - Talmud From our witch meditation series, we know that the witch archetype is truly about people who are reclaiming their personal power. And from the quote above, I love the significance of this sense of power being found in the crossroads; the intersections. It reminds me of one of my favorite teachings in Buddhist psychology - known as The Middle Way. In the teachings of The Middle Way, we le...

Oct 31, 202438 min

Just The Meditation: Grounding Techniques from the Forest {Green Witch}

A meditation for your daily practice - no chat beforehand, no distractions. Just you, the forest, and your breath. Join me for this Green Witch-inspired meditation. Sign up for my newsletter at https://merylarnett.substack.com/ to receive free mini meditations each week, creative musings, and more. Thank you to Nick McMahan for today’s nature field recordings, sound design, and editing; and thank you to Brianna Nielsen for production and editing support. Find them at: nickmcmahan.com instagram.c...

Oct 24, 202422 min

Moon Cycles and Ocean Waves: A Water Witch's Guide to Natural Rhythms

In this episode, we continue our exploration of personal power through the archetypes of the witch. Together, we will journey through the Water Witch and the Swamp Witch archetypes, uncovering their unique connections to water, the moon, and the balance between conformity and wildness. The Water Witch draws rituals from aquatic environments, emphasizing adaptability, while the Swamp Witch thrives in the liminal spaces, representing untamed freedom. Being fluid in change is the superpower of both...

Oct 17, 202436 min

Grounding Techniques from the Forest: A Green Witch's Approach to Stress Relief

“You are the sister to the wolf and friend to the hawk. You know in your heart the language of the plants and the songs of the wind. You have an innate connection to the wild edges. You know the beauty of the bee in flight, and hear the call of freedom on the horizon. And yet, as you go through your day today, it may be easy to miss the drum call of the Earth.” – Wild Woman The Green Witch is one who sources her sense of power and nourishment from the Earth itself. She is one who might feel deep...

Oct 10, 202433 min

Brewing Inner Strength: Exploring the Kitchen Witch Archetype Through Meditation

Welcome, Witches. This all new meditation series is devoted to the archetype of the witch. Why, you ask? Well for starters, it is spooky season, but perhaps more importantly, because the witch archetype is especially potent for those of us grappling with reclaiming our personal power. There are so many ‘types’ of witches: the kitchen witch, the green witch, the water witch, etc. And,all of these sub-types refer to the place or activity where we source the majority of our power. Today’s episode i...

Oct 03, 202438 min

Beyond Mindfulness: Andrew Holecek on Advancing Your Meditation Practice

More often than I can count, I have conversations with students asking me what’s next in their meditation practice, how to go deeper, or how to feel better in the toughest of times… and today, I am delighted to share a powerful conversation offering a few answers to these tough questions. Andrew Holecek is a returning guest to the podcast, as well as a renowned author and humanitarian who teaches internationally on spirituality, meditation, lucid dreaming, and the art of dying. His many books in...

Sep 26, 202457 min

Beyond the Noise: Finding Mindfulness in Oregon's Quietest Ecosystem

Today’s episode is an invitation to settle into the deepest listening and to celebrate what we find when we move beyond the noise of humans. Today, we embark on a meditative listening experience crafted by nature field recordist Nick McMahan. Earlier this year, Nick spent several days seeking out the quietest spot in Oregon. Exploring nature’s whispers and finding serenity in the sagebrush are what inspired today’s guided audio experience - a recording of Nick’s exploration. Together, we will li...

Sep 19, 202414 min

The Art of Listening: Unraveling Nature's Voice at Canaveral National Seashore

Soundscape Alchemy. Friends, what an episode I have for you today! Months ago, I took an impromptu trip to Canaveral National Seashore to visit acoustic artists Perri Lynch Howard and Gordon Hempton. Frequent collaborators on the podcast, I was ecstatic to spend a weekend practicing the art of listening with them both. We walked mangroves, explored shorelines, and discussed the interplay of human voice, aerospace traffic, and birdsong. The creative collaboration of Gordon and Perri resulted in a...

Sep 12, 202451 min

Hearing the Unheard: Mindful Listening in the Noisy World

In this Monday night meditation class, we delve into the concept of listening and silence amidst the constant noise of modern life, especially during the election season. Today’s discussion touches on the various sources of human-made noise and their impact on inner peace, the varied definitions of silence, and the key to mindful listening. David G. Haskell wrote, “listening opens us to what is hidden or unappreciated,” and together we will explore this hidden, unappreciated terrain. Today’s gui...

Sep 05, 202436 min

Eco-Poetry and Climate Hope: U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón's 'You Are Here' Project

U.S. Poet Laureate and fellow meditator Ada Limón joins me today on Our Mindful Nature to chat about her Signature Project, 'You Are Here, Poetry in Parks.' Y’all this was a dream conversation for me - full of presence, hope and truth. Full of poetry and beauty even as we discuss climate crisis and environmental activism. Together, we delve into the origins of ‘You Are Here: Poetry in Parks’, its deep connections between nature and poetry, and its aim to foster mindfulness and presence. Ada shar...

Aug 29, 202432 min

Mini Meditation: Elemental Balancing

In this guided meditation, we explore an elemental balancing practice for anxiety management and nervous system regulation. Reflecting on personal experiences with balancing extreme temperatures and anxiety, I share a visualization and sound meditation that has been deeply supportive in my own practice. I hope it will be useful in your own practice as well! No discussion, no distraction - just the meditation for your daily practice. Enjoy! Sign up for my newsletter at https://merylarnett.substac...

Aug 22, 202424 min

Nervous System Reset: An Elemental Chakra Meditation for Hot Summer Days

In this guided meditation, we explore an elemental balancing practice for anxiety management and nervous system regulation. Reflecting on personal experiences with balancing extreme temperatures and anxiety, I share a visualization and sound meditation that has been deeply supportive in my own practice. I hope it will be useful in your own practice as well! Together, we will guide our energy to move from the root chakra to the third eye, integrated with breath work and visualizations to promote ...

Aug 15, 202432 min

Wild Geese Getaway: A Nature-Inspired Mindfulness Meditation

7 a.m. It’s a cool, blue morning, and we are seated alongside the Coosa River in Alabama. Our guided meditation practice begins with mindful breathing and sensory awareness. This is an opportunity for cosmic connection and deep relaxation. It is silent except for the birds’ morning chorus and a whisper of wind through the river grasses. Gradually, a family of geese make themselves known, and we are instantly reminded of Mary Oliver’s poem Wild Geese, which ends with the line - {...} the world of...

Aug 08, 20248 min

Mini Meditation: Midsummer at the Inn

Today’s episode is the meditation offered at this year's Summer Solstice inspired by the poem An Inn for the Coven by Gabrielle Calvocoressi. No discussion, no distraction - just the meditation for your daily practice. Enjoy! Sign up for my newsletter at https://merylarnett.substack.com/ to receive free mini meditations each week, creative musings, and more. Thank you to Nick McMahan for today’s nature field recordings, sound design, and editing; and thank you to Brianna Nielsen for production a...

Jul 25, 202429 min
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