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Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness by John Harvey
In 2014 John Harvey fulfilled his one-year commitment to sit in the forest once each week for one hour to observe nature. It turned out to be a richly rewarding experience. He learned to more fully see, hear, smell, and feel; he learned much about the natural world—the environment, flora and fauna, the progression of the seasons, and weather; and at the end of the year, he felt physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually rejuvenated. He shared his experiences and discoveries in his book The Stillness of the Living Forest. But as time went on, Harvey realized he had many questions about the connection between time spent in nature and one's health and well-being. As a psychologist, Harvey was eager to learn if others who spent time in nature had experienced outcomes similar to his. He began to read relevant books and research articles and found that the physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits of spending time in nature are well established. There were also findings pointing to nature's positive impact on feelings of connection, self-knowledge, and personal transformation and spiritual growth. Harvey realized that it was time for a sequel to his book, time to take an all-embracing journey through both contemporary scientific and traditional literary sources to understand how and why time in nature is so beneficial. Nature's Pathways to Mindfulness explores scientific information on the benefits of time spent in nature and the processes and theories that explain these benefits, recounts many of Harvey's personal experiences in nature, and provides step-by-step guidance on how to conduct a nature sitting experience. BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Nature Therapy ISBN: 978-1-962082-26-6 (print; softcover; perfect bound) Released September 24, 2024 268 pages |
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“Like Nature herself, Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness is a soothing antidote to daily stress and anxiety. Filled with beautiful visuals, lyrical descriptions, and practical wisdom, it shares John Harvey’s infectious love of wild places. By reminding us that nature reveals herself to those who sit and wait, this book crystalizes a vague and generalized fondness for the outdoors into something deeper, helping us to love it even more.” “Many people report feeling good after being out in nature, but few know exactly why. John Harvey takes scientific research and combines it with his own intimate and careful observations to show why contact with nature can restore health and is vital for our continued physical and mental wellbeing. But Harvey doesn’t stop there. He also teaches readers how to get the most from their contact with nature, which, in turn, can be life changing.” “In Nature's Pathways to Mindfulness, John Harvey describes ‘tipping points,’ moments during nature observation when awareness shifts into the present and away from the created world of thoughts and feelings about past and future. With his ‘sit spot’ approach, Harvey guides us through a developmental process—we settle in, nature resumes its activity, we drop our habitual present and past obsessions, and we turn to the present. It is a process shared by meditation, but the advantage in nature is that the categories and concepts that support our ‘separation’ give way to seeing ourselves as being in nature and of nature. We are not only in the present, but in presence. Harvey’s book is richly supported with scientific evidence, personal experience, and step-by-step guidance and an invaluable resource for those who look to improve their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing and those who seek personal transformation. “John Harvey opens the doorway to nature and leads us through. Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness is a well-researched, thoughtful, and wonderfully written guidebook on how the get the most from nature—wherever we live. He explains that many of us think of nature as only that which is far away, remote, or out in the deep woods where ‘real’ nature exists. That limiting view stops many from enjoying the wildness that is as close as a deck with a potted plant, a backyard, or a city park. Experiences in nature make us healthier and happier, and Harvey cites the research and draws from his own experiences to validate that conclusion. This is a must-read book for nature lovers, psychologists, therapists, and teachers.” “John Harvey’s book is a gem, merging science, practical knowledge, and insight to reveal the spiritual fountain of nature. He takes us on a journey into the natural beauty and harmony of nature that surrounds us and is, in fact, an essential part of ourselves. Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness is a manual for recognizing the power of nature to restore our physical and mental balance, harmony, and wellness. Nature is life itself, constantly changing, growing, and healing. We should not fear nature, but open ourselves to the rhythms of adaptability, resilience, and beauty that nature reveals to all who pay attention. Perhaps the most important lesson we learn from Harvey is how much a part of nature we are. Through nature’s pathways, we begin to experience and maybe know for the first time that we are an integral part of a vast reality that is filled with renewal, beauty, harmony, and goodness.” “The deep learning and motivation sparked by Nature’s Pathways to Mindfulness arise from the wealth of welcoming paths that John Harvey lays before us. Harvey synthesizes the science behind nature’s impressive effects on our wellbeing. He explores a bevy of gateways into mindfulness, from sit spots and forest bathing to guided walks and bird-watching. He enhances each path with intimate and colorful windows into his own sojourns. Most importantly, he writes for a wide range of readers—those who might have trouble sitting still or might respond best to time on water; those who crave routine, need to be indoors, or relish adventure. Harvey’s book artfully balances the analytical, the instructive, and the intuitive. It will help you find your path and give you a healthy nudge in a good and enriching direction.” “John Harvey teaches us not only how to connect to the wonders and awe of the natural world but why these connections are so vital for our personal wellbeing. Harvey transports the reader into ‘Sit Spots’ and other mindful outdoor experiences by sharing rich sensory descriptions of his own experiences that allow us to feel the power of nature. He also provides techniques designed to guide us into deeper relationships with the natural world around us—no matter where we are. Whether on the wings of a tern or listening to the mournful song of a pewee or the flutelike song of a wood thrush, Harvey demonstrates how we can find an uplift to boost our mood or support healing of body and mind by simply taking time to notice, reflect, and appreciate the present moment. In our ever-changing world, we can all benefit from his wisdom.” |
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info@shantiarts.com | 193 Hillside Road Brunswick Maine 04011 | 207-837-5760
John Harvey, Ph.D. is a naturalist and consulting psychologist who resides in the Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. He is the author of the nature book Stillness of the Living Forest: A Year of Listening and Learning. As a psychologist, John works with children and adults with developmental and acquired challenges of learning and memory. He has a long-standing interest in relaxation training, stress management, and personal development, and is the author of Total Relaxation: Healing Practices for Body, Mind and Spirit; Deep Sleep: Complete Rest for Health, Longevity and Vitality; and a contributing editor for The Quiet Mind: Techniques for Transforming Stress. John obtained his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served for many years as Director of Psychology at Allied Services in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Scranton. John enjoys writing, biking, hiking, kayaking, gardening, bird watching, and supporting conservation projects.
