Inspiration Archives - Mountain Zen Den

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Ep. 137 – 30-Day Nature Reset – Day 1

30-Day Nature Reset, Inspiration, Meditation, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development, Spiritual Growth, Well-being

Welcome to the mountain! How are your New Year’s goals and resolutions holding up? No cause for guilt or shame. No need to feel bad. On the journey toward wholeness, every day is Day 1. A fresh start. Every day offers an opportunity to learn and grow and begin again. Abraham Maslow, (you know - the hierarch of needs guy), observed, “What one can be one must be”. You and I were created for a purpose. And deep within each of us is the desire to grow and fulfill that purpose. We become restless, (or something even worse), when that purpose is ignored or stuffed down. This is the root of unhappiness and all sorts of sorrows, struggles, and addictions. As we step into the new year we have yet…

by Skydancer7

MOUNTAIN ZEN DEN ~ Episode 136 – Horses and Eating Disorders with Lisa Whalen

Courage, Eating Disorders, Horses, Inspiration, Personal Transformation, Podcast

MZD Podcast – Ep. 136 – Horses and Eating Disorders with Lisa Whalen We say it all the time, MZD is about connecting with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth, particularly in becoming the best version of yourself. We are finding that Nature is a fantastic catalyst for helping us become our best selves. Our relationship with Nature, and her healing power comes in many different forms. At times we tend to get too confined in our definition of what connecting with Nature, actually means — picturing it only happening when we are in the mountains, or park, or in the woods, or maybe by a stream or lake, soaking in the sounds of birds singing and water flowing. Today’s show is a little different than many of the episodes…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 131 – Calm & Bright

Inspiration, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Spiritual Growth

MZD Podcast - Ep. 131 - Calm & Bright Far too often we pay attention to the loud and brash, which tend to have little meaning, while overlooking the important things that are taking place so quietly and humbly just outside the corner of our eye. ~ Erik Stensland "Whispers in the Wind" At different points in our lives, the Christmas holiday season is marked by stress and anxiety, overwhelm, overindulgence, undernourishment and sadness and depression. For many, it is a hollow season of unmet expectations, disappointment and despair. Instead of Joy we’re met with sorrow. Instead of Hope we carry anguish, self-blame, loss and regret… “If only I had done this…If only I had this… If only…” Why does this time of year, meant to be a celebration of Joy…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 127 – Living an Awakened Life on Planet Earth with Peter Mayer

Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Music & Nature, Nature, Podcast, Purpose

Minnesota Singer/Songwriter Peter Mayer MZD Podcast – Ep. 127 Living an Awakened Life on Planet Earth with Peter Mayer Minnesota singer/songwriter Peter Mayer writes songs for a small planet--songs about interconnectedness and the human journey--songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and other important stuff. But I love the fact that he also writes insanely beautiful songs about spiritual awakening, oneness with the world, and deep connection with Nature. His music has been performed by artists like Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, and Darryl Purpose, to name a few. His work has been included in songbooks, church hymnals, and folk radio playlists across the country, and he is the recipient of fellowships from the…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 109 – Cultivating Compassion

Compassion, Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development, Well-being

MZD Podcast - Ep. 109 Cultivating Compassion “Along with love, compassion is the face of altruism. It is a feeling deep in the heart that you cannot bear other’s suffering without acting to relieve it.” ~ The Dalai Lama We come together at MZD to connect with Nature for mindfulness and personal growth. We talk about it all the time. In fact, we have been focusing on, and training if you will, how to cultivate personal strengths and traits that we desire to see show up in our lives as the best version of ourselves… things like… Do you find yourself struggling in a specific area, (or areas), of your life and personal growth? Perhaps, fear and doubt, anger, addiction, selfishness, pride or lack of compassion. If you said “Yes”,…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 108 – Why Mindfulness? Why Nature?

Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development, Uncategorized, Well-being

Photo Melissa Wilson MZD Podcast - Ep. 108 Why Mindfulness? Why Nature? "Now is now.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder Welcome to the Mountain! We’re going to get back to the basics. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to wake up every morning to the amazing beauty and wonderful sounds of nature? We just got back from an amazing hike along Carter Lake and had our senses bombarded by the beauty and restorative powers of Nature… We were reminded that there are things all around us everyday that would bring so much joy and happiness and peace if we would just take the time to notice them. It’s called living in the Now. Now is all we’ve got. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow hasn’t come, we just have Now. And…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 104 – Stay the Course (Lessons from a Mountain Climb)

14ers, Inspiration, Mountain Climbing, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development, Success, Uncategorized, Well-being

Mt Elbert 14,440' above sea level - Colorado's highest peak MZD Podcast - Ep 104 Stay the Course "A pot is filled drop by drop.” ~ the Buddha Great to have you here on a Fireside Friday at Mountain Zen Den. We’re almost half way through January! So how are you doing with your goals? Today we discuss the concept of staying on course with your dreams, goals and New Years’ resolutions. Here are a few tips and lessons learned from our mountain climb on Mt. Elbert – 14,440’ above sea level, Colorado’s highest peak. A few of the points that came up: Plan aheadPack and Prepare wellEnjoy the JourneyKeep the Goal in Mind but remember, ultimately, the Journey is the GoalIt’s about “Who is the person who attempts and…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 95 – The Meeting of 2 Eternities

Inspiration, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Walden

Photo Brett Wilson Here at Mountain Zen Den, our Wednesday podcast features passages from Walden and other great classics that relate to cultivating the wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity found in the natural world as offered by some of the most influential naturalists, writers, philosophers and poets of our past. Walden Wednesday is all about taking a little time in our favorite nature setting on a regular basis to help still the heart and mind, and slow you down enough to absorb the thoughts, ideas, philosophies and writings of some of the greatest thinkers we’ve ever known. And then at the end we give you a little time to just “Be”, and soak in these treasures to settle into your inner being and hopefully, become a part of who you are…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 93 – What Do You Really Need?

Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development, Simple Living, Simplicity, Uncategorized, Well-being

photo Brett Wilson Welcome to Walden Wednesday on the Mountain! I want to reward you with something a little different than what we typically experience during our traditional meditation time. In past episodes we have occasionally shared passages from Walden and other great writings and literature, relating to cultivating the rich wisdom, mindfulness and simplicity found in Nature. In 1845, American naturalist, poet, writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau decided to try a grand “experiment”. In his own words, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” We’re going to offer more of these classics set in nature…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 92 – The Drift

Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development, Well-being

The DriftPhoto courtesy Derek Sutton @dereksutton Unsplash Welcome to Mountain Zen Den! It has been a while, and much has happened since we last met here. The entire world has changed. Dramatically! Yet, while there have been a multitude of anxiety producing events and uncertainty, if you zoom out and look at the big picture, you can see it has actually been a season of opportunity, of renewal, self-reflection, ad growth. The possibility of change and revision… A “Re – Vision”. Today we're going to talk about what happened. We are not going to get into pandemics or politics or world events, or even masks, or viruses and vaccinations, or anything else that has occurred in the world over the past year. We’ve all had enough of that, and there’s…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den ~ Episode 90 – Cultivating Beauty

Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Personal Transformation, Podcast, Self-Development

“…If you’re down to your final dime, can’t decide what else to buy to be happy You don't need a credit card to give your heart the beauty of the world..." ~ Peter Mayer ~ ~ ~ MZD Podcast Ep 90 - "Cultivating Beauty" ~ ~ ~ Well the hustle and bustle of Christmas has come and gone, and it’s the end of another year. Snowflakes are gently falling outside. The presents have been opened. The children are happily playing in the other room, and you sit with the one you love, sipping hot chocolate reading from a book with Currier and Ives prints, in front of the crackling fire, and breathe a deep sigh of contentment. Sounds like a Netflix Christmas special doesn’t it? So your world doesn’t look…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 74 – New Year’s Decisions Vs. New Year’s Goals

Inspiration, Mountains, Nature, Personal Development, Podcast

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.” ~ Henry David Thoreau Happy New Year! Welcome back! Yes, it’s been quite awhile since we last met here at Mountain Zen Den. And while a lot has happened, I’ll save some of the details for upcoming shows, but just so you know, all is well, we’re back and better than ever, broadcasting from the foot of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful snowy Colorado here on New Year’s Day. I’ve heard from so many of you thanking us for creating this mindfulness in nature podcast. I really appreciate the gratitude you’ve expressed, and all the encouraging messages and stories about how you’ve been inspired by the meditations and insights…

by Skydancer7

Mountain Zen Den Podcast ~ Episode 73 – Inspired By Nature

Inspiration, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development, Podcast

“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the Universe, to match your nature with Nature.” ~ Joseph Campbell There’s no denying it. One of the best qualities about Nature is its ability to inspire. Think about it. Things don’t inspire Nature. People don’t inspire Nature. We can affect and impact Nature, but all inspiration comes from the Design and the Designer. Not the other way around. It is the Original. Why is this? Why are we so moved and potentially transformed by the natural world? What is it about Nature that is so stirring and uplifting…? When you find yourself in a wild and beautiful, natural place like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Napali coast of Kauai, or maybe even…

Category: Inspiration