How does connecting with nature apply to our spiritual growth and ultimately end internal suffering?  By observing nature, we cultivate more inner stillness and quiet. With this, we become more aware of what is happening at the level of mind.  Because we have stepped away from the busyness of the world around us, our thoughts have no place to hide or sneak in unaware. In the stillness that nature offers us, we can be more aware when a thought arises, because often it feels so out of place.   

For example, you are watching a beautiful bird and poof, a narrative with someone that you had a conflict with the day before pops into your mind.  This conversation might have been on repeat in your head for the past two days, but you weren’t aware of it until you got out into nature. Now you are aware and can consciously make a choice about this narrative.  You can choose to let it keep running on repeat, pulling you from the present moment and connection with the natural world, or simply let it go, and get back to the bird.  

The more we practice this in nature, the more it translates into our everyday life.  We begin to have the skill of observing our thoughts in the midst of our day, and then we can make a choice.  Continue with the thought or let it go. Over time, you will be able to be the unattached observer of your thoughts, just as you have been the observer of nature.    There is nothing to do with an observation; you sit with it and let the moment pass to the next moment. Not clinging to it, just letting it be. Most of our suffering happens at the level of the mind.  If we are freed from the repetitive thoughts in our mind, we can be free of internal suffering. It all started with connecting with nature.