Hello Reader!
We spent 70 days of Summer hanging out mainly in Washington State, with a final stint in California near Lake Tahoe. I love the rich greenery, the rugged Cascade mountains, and our precious family time together. Despite growing up in Washington State, we even explored an area I barely knew: Mazama. Camping in the Methow Valley, with plenty of rock climbing that was just right for us, was a beautiful experience.
Last Monday, we rolled back into Las Vegas. The weather had become cooler, and the mountains near our home beckoned. After so many days surrounded by the greenery of the Pacific Northwest, the desert landscape of Las Vegas felt like a different world, one with its own hidden serenity.
The last place I imagined living…
When we first moved to Las Vegas, it was the last place I could have imagined myself. The quiet of nature draws me. Moving here felt like stepping into a world of bright lights and endless entertainment—a Den of Iniquity rather than a space for spiritual contemplation. Yet, to my surprise, this city—known for its neon and noise—revealed an unexpected depth of tranquility and beauty.
Amidst the bustling Strip, there’s an oasis waiting to be discovered: the Red Rock mountains. I love the striations that form bands of red, white, and pink and the way the long vertical folds of the taller mountains, dotted with desert trees and shrubs, carry a sense of mystery and majesty. Before the rain, the sky here bursts with an astonishing palette of colors. The serenity of the natural landscape provides such a contrast to the city’s glitz that it feels like entering another world entirely.
Becoming a rock climber has allowed me to intimately explore the Red Rock mountains—up close and personal, daring to touch them, feeling each groove and crack under my fingers.
Las Vegas’ thriving community of outdoor enthusiasts
While much of Las Vegas faces the Strip, immersed in its vibrancy, a growing number of people (perhaps 25%) face the Red Rock and embrace its beauty daily. The Vegas Hikers Meetup, for instance, has nearly 28,000 members, and the Vegas Climbers Facebook group boasts close to 10,000 members. This second perspective—facing the Red Rock—offers its own form of spirituality, born from intensely appreciating the environment, moving our bodies, and staying in tune with nature.
The positive synergy of nature and mindfulness
New studies highlight the synergy between time in nature and mindfulness, leading to greater emotional regulation, attentional capacity, and self-awareness. Nature-based therapies like forest bathing and wilderness therapy are gaining popularity, and for good reason: spending time outdoors is associated with reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression and an increased ability to focus and regulate emotions.
What might surprise you is that Las Vegas—this bustling, glittering city—houses its own bastion of stress-reducing, mindfulness-enhancing natural beauty.
Unexpected Spiritual Oases
In a recent interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the journalist asked if Las Vegas could be considered a spiritual place.
My answer? “Absolutely.”
I explained how the natural splendor of the Red Rock mountains offers a special kind of spirituality that isn’t immediately apparent to those who only see the Strip.
This experience has reminded me that we can discover peace and mindfulness in the most unlikely places. Just as Las Vegas has its hidden oases, within ourselves, we each harbor both the bright lights and bustling dens of iniquity in the form of ego and negative self-talk. Yet, we also have the capacity to turn our attention away from these distractions and toward the inner peace that reigns within us.
This duality—between chaos and calm, external glitter and internal serenity—reflects a broader truth: serenity can be found even in the most unexpected places, both within and around us.
Good News!
Upcoming Offerings
- Write Now Mind – October 2024 I’ll be offering another Write Now Mind session soon! It will likely start in late September and run for five weeks. Email me if you’re interested, and I’ll pre-register you. Otherwise, if you’ve participated before, look for an email with the join link soon.
- Las Vegas Book Fest – October 19, 2024 My friend Kat and I will make a special appearance at the Las Vegas Book Fest! If you’re attending, come find us—we’ll be the ones wearing pink and orange feathers and sequins, offering juicy practices.
Closing Practice
As you go about your day, begin becoming aware of the bright lights and bustling dens of iniquity within yourself while also remembering to focus on the peace within. What unexpected places have you discovered serenity? Take a moment to appreciate these experiences and consider how to seek out similar moments in your life actively.
Don’t forget to leave a review for Naked in the Now, or, if you haven’t picked up a copy, get one now!
Smiles,
https://marijkemccandless.com
Kirkus Reviews endorses Naked in the Now!
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