Listening to Nature: How to Deepen Your Awareness of Nature

by Joseph Bharat Cornell, John Hendrickson (Photographer)

Here is a beautiful gift book that transports adults into the quiet mystery of nature. For each day of the month, the reader is treated to an inspirational quotation from the likes of Muir and Thoreau, sensitively highlighted with a stunning color photograph by award-winning Sierra Club Calendar veteran John Hendrickson.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Spirituality

95 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

About the author

Joseph Bharat Cornell is a famous nature educator in the United States. He wrote the book "Sharing Nature with Children" in the early 1970s to promote outdoor learning.

He founded the "Sharing Nature Foundation" in 1979 to promote nature education.

(adapted from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a small book, the message is impactful! This lovely work is full of stimuli to absorb the beauty of nature and adopt it as part of our spiritual journey.

The accompanying photographs are stunning and great companions to the written message.

I will refer back to this many, many times and am so grateful for the gift it has given me. A dear friend presented me with this book at a time when I felt overwhelmed and drained. I am now reminded that it only takes a little time and some observation to be restored by the world around me.

[Tandava Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book of inspirational quotes, profound nature activities, and gorgeous photographs. Sort of an abridged version of the content in The Sky and Earth Touched Me, but in more of a page-a-day, or pretty-gift-book format. Great for anyone with a spiritual bent who likes spending time in nature!

[Annelise · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I already noted, I read this book too fast. It was for a work project, and I essentially just needed to finish it as quickly as possible. I definitely need to go back and actually do the exercises like the book recommends and is actually designed for. That said, I already love it. I could do a few of the exercises in an abbreviated fashion at my desk, and they are also similar to things that I have found are really helpful to me in the past. I look forward to reading it again.

[etherealfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this gorgeous little book at a bookstore in Yellowstone Park. Lyrical and beautiful, a really spiritual book of nature's beauty.

[Arizonagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book arranged with 31 short chapters paired with stunning nature photographs. It is designed for the reader to read one chapter each day. It would be an ideal book to take on a meditation retreat or on a relaxing vacation to the cabin at the lake. The author gives instructions for several activities such as Still Hunting (sitting still long enough so that the wildlife no longer see you as a threat), Expanding Circles (become aware of your body and then move your awareness to the nearby grasses, rock, and insects, and then broadening your awareness to the nearby shrubs and trees, and then to the distant ridges and sky), Walking and Feeling Yourself in All, and Meet a Tree. Some chapters are poems, quotes, or prayers to reflect on. I enjoyed the book and am interested in reading Cornell's other book, Sharing Nature with Children. This was my August book in my project to read one book I own each month. I will be gifting this book on to a friend who I think will enjoy it.

[LORIANN (my opinion doesn't mean much, but ...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We homeschool and do a "outdoor" school too.
We are very involved in the outdoors and nature.

I picked this book up as we are learning to sit quitter outside and really listen.

The book has gorgeous pictures and fantastic chosen quotes. However, I found myself skimming through the authors written stories. They just are told in a somewhat droning way.

Still ... pick this one up for the pictures and the quotes!!!

[Kaitlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and contemplative little guide to forgetting the small self and immersing ourselves into the oneness of nature.

“Self-forgetfulness gives birth to the many other qualities we need in order to develop an active environmental ethic. Humility opens the inner doorway to love, because it is only the barriers of self-interest that separate us from the rest of life.” — pg. 79

[Alicia]

Nice tree hugger book. Read a page a day. Easy. "We are one with nature". How to sit and observe nature and become one with it.

[Sylvia McIvers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures.
The text and quotes are about 1/3 inspiring, 1/3 banal, and 1/3 drivel.
But your thirds will be different than mine.

[Isla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely photographs, some nice exercises and ideas but this won't appeal to all. A generally short but good, enlightening and easy read overall.

[Darceylaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book suggests how one can be with nature in a deeper way. It's a short little book, quickly read, not informational or substantive, but like when a yoga teacher gives a hands on adjustment that "suggests" a certain kind of opening. Intended to be used for meditational natural experiences one or two at a time.

[Shridhar shenoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is for those who love nature and who wants to explore the best of it during quite times they spend in nature. If you are travelling alone or hiking along a long memserizing trail, Take this book with you to make your walk even more memorable.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

poetry, story, and grand photography serve as an inspiration to live and experience the land. a real recommendation to those who love a clean layout, grand photography, and the great outdoors.

[Kim]

own it