- 17
- 1 233
Beneath the Surface
Приєднався 16 гру 2023
Too often, we live on the surface of our lives, focused on all the outer activity while ignoring the core of who we are. On this channel we look beneath the surface of our lives and explore our deep desires, longings, hopes, and fears. The aim is to help us move towards health from the inside out. Each episode is around five minutes long and finishes with a question or two to chew on, to help us do the inner work which leads to wholeness.
I'm a full-time nature photographer and author. I've written many books including books of daily reflections which have won numerous national awards. They use the natural world as a way to help us connect with our inner world. Regardless of who we are or where we come from, our inner worlds are not that different. For us to move towards health and wholeness we all need to make a similar inner journey. My hope is that this channel will help you along that sometimes rocky path.
Erik Stensland
I'm a full-time nature photographer and author. I've written many books including books of daily reflections which have won numerous national awards. They use the natural world as a way to help us connect with our inner world. Regardless of who we are or where we come from, our inner worlds are not that different. For us to move towards health and wholeness we all need to make a similar inner journey. My hope is that this channel will help you along that sometimes rocky path.
Erik Stensland
Could the source of our problems be a lack of solitude?
The idea of solitude is frightning to many people. It is uncomfortable to be alone. Yet, I propose that it is one of the missing elements of our society and the source of many of our troubles.
🗣 My recent talk about intentional solitude: ua-cam.com/video/A6cui168leU/v-deo.html
🖺 Here's the article I wrote about getting started in silence: www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230619/
👨ABOUT ME:
I’m Erik Stensland, a professional nature photographer and author based in Estes Park, Colorado. You can learn more about me at: www.ErikStensland.com. There you can find links to all the things I'm doing from my photography to my writing.
📺I also have a second UA-cam Channel focused on Rocky Mountain National Park which can be found at: UA-cam.com/ErikStensland.
🗣 My recent talk about intentional solitude: ua-cam.com/video/A6cui168leU/v-deo.html
🖺 Here's the article I wrote about getting started in silence: www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230619/
👨ABOUT ME:
I’m Erik Stensland, a professional nature photographer and author based in Estes Park, Colorado. You can learn more about me at: www.ErikStensland.com. There you can find links to all the things I'm doing from my photography to my writing.
📺I also have a second UA-cam Channel focused on Rocky Mountain National Park which can be found at: UA-cam.com/ErikStensland.
Переглядів: 62
Відео
What can science tell us?
Переглядів 385 місяців тому
Our polarized society takes two opposing views towards science. One group looks at science with great skepticism while the other looks at science as the only way of knowing anything. Somehow, we've allowed ourselves to get swept up in an unnecessary divide. TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "Scientific View " from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy ...
What lies hidden just out of sight?
Переглядів 306 місяців тому
We all like to think of ourselves as wise and aware of what is happening in and around us, yet we may be missing more than we know. In this episode we look at a story by my favorite author, George MacDonald and consider whether there is more to the story of our lives than we can see. TODAY'S READING The passage I referenced today is from the book, "Lilith: A Romance" by George MacDonald. It was...
When the way forward becomes unclear
Переглядів 546 місяців тому
The inner journey can at times feel quite nebulous and hard to grasp. It can often feel like there is no point to it at all or no clear direction that we are supposed to head. What then are we to do? TODAY'S READING The passage I read today was "Mystery" from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy of this book at the links below: 📗 HARDCOVER BOOK: www.rockytrailpre...
So many things to be angry at
Переглядів 846 місяців тому
What do we do about the anger we feel at all the wrong and injustice of our world? There is no doubt that everywhere we look there are unfair, unjust, and unkind things being done. How do we maintain our soul in the midst of it all? 👨ABOUT ME: I’m Erik Stensland, a professional nature photographer and author based in Estes Park, Colorado. You can learn more about me at: www.ErikStensland.com. T...
How clearly do you see?
Переглядів 446 місяців тому
As we grow older our temptation is to come to the conclusion that we understand things and see with growing clarity, failing to realize that it is simply that we've become adept at seeing from our own small perspective. TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "In Perspective" from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy of this book at the links below: 📗 HARDC...
What do you really want?
Переглядів 466 місяців тому
We are a society caught up in the pursuit of desire, trying to fill that hole within but nothing ever seems to satisfy us. As the Rolling Stones sang, "I can't get no satisfaction." Yet could the problem be that we haven't deeply examined what we're longing for? 👨ABOUT ME: I’m Erik Stensland, a professional nature photographer and author based in Estes Park, Colorado. You can learn more about m...
We live our lives by moonlight
Переглядів 376 місяців тому
We like to think that we have it all figured out, that life makes sense and we know exactly where we are at and where we are headed, yet beneath the surface we know, that life seems to oppose our attempts to understand and control it. TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "Moonlight" from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy of this book at the links belo...
Is it more than merely an absence of noise?
Переглядів 387 місяців тому
We overlook silence. We assume that silence is merely the lack of something, an emptiness. Yet if you were to talk to a skilled musician or public speaker they would challenge your view, as it is the space between the notes, the pauses between the words, that often communicates most powerfully. In this episode, we take a closer look at silence. TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "Sil...
They way out is actually in
Переглядів 577 місяців тому
Have you ever played with a manual radio? If you are listening to music and then turn the dial you will begin to hear static and if you turn it a little more you will then hear a compltely different channel. Our lives are often filled with static or tuned to a channel that leaves us breathless and depressed. Allow the natural world to reset you and tune you in to another way of being. TODAY'S R...
Allow nature to rewire you
Переглядів 327 місяців тому
Have you ever played with a manual radio? If you are listening to music and then turn the dial you will begin to hear static and if you turn it a little more you will then hear a compltely different channel. Our lives are often filled with static or tuned to a channel that leaves us breathless and depressed. Allow the natural world to reset you and tune you in to another way of being. TODAY'S R...
What are we overlooking?
Переглядів 507 місяців тому
In our noisy world it is so easy to be distracted by all the commotion and activity that we often miss the quieter and more important things happening all around us. What are you overlooking and not paying attention to? TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "Silent Sunrise" from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy of this book at the links below: 📗 HARDC...
A simple walk in nature may be the doorway in
Переглядів 587 місяців тому
Our own inner lives can at times seem distant and hard to connect with, yet surprisingly the natural world provides an easy access point to the depths within. TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "Nature's Door" from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy of this book at the links below: 📗 HARDCOVER BOOK: www.rockytrailpress.com/product/whispers/ 🎧 AUDIO B...
Shelter from the storm or certain doom?
Переглядів 617 місяців тому
Many people look at their inner world as scary place that they want to avoid. They know that everything they have suppressed from old wounds to self-doubt lie hidden in that dark place within. What if that inner world wasn't as scary as it appears? What if it actually was the door to a life of health and joy? TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "The Cave" from my book "Whispers in the...
Are we keeping ourselves from thriving?
Переглядів 777 місяців тому
Most of us today lead crazy busy lives. We're on the go from morning till evening with very little open space. The result is a life that is far more shallow than we would like. How can we transform our lives to one where joy and wisdom flourish? TODAY'S READING The passage we read today was "Restoration Area" from my book "Whispers in the Wilderness". You can purchase your own copy of this book...
Beneath The Surface - Coming February 1, 2024
Переглядів 1398 місяців тому
Beneath The Surface - Coming February 1, 2024
I have always loved solitude. My view is that society in some ways has treated people who enjoy solitude as a negative thing. I find that solitude brings me peace. I have many anxious thoughts and solitude and silence reduces those significantly.
I agree Renee. I hope that one day that negative perception will change as it can be a very healthy thing for all of us and our society.
I think solitude grounds me like nothing else. I love being alone. Just me and my paints. It stills my heart. I like people too, but for only short periods of time. Solitude and silence puts me in the position of being able to sort out my thoughts, shut out the clamor of other voices and hear just One.
I totally agree Rosemary! Sometime you may want to look into a longer experience of it. It can take it to another level, as I talk about in my presentation on solitude. :) ua-cam.com/video/A6cui168leU/v-deo.html
Enjoyed your post ^ and intro to George MacDonald. I just finished An Immense World (Ed Yong) about how animals sense the world. It was fascinating. And must give a nod to Macdonald Book Shop in EP ... one of my favorite book shops. Give them a favorite author or book title, and they give you several fantastic recommendations. Am enjoying your books and glad your newsletter shared your YT channels. -- Erin
Erin, isn’t “An Immense World” amazing! Yong does such a great job helping us see through the eyes and other senses of so many creatures. Our perception of the world is so much more limited than we realize.
Thanks Erik. I heard a saying many years ago that changed my life. When a problem arises, you can focus on the problem, or focus on the solution. Whichever one you focus on will get bigger. I tried to instill that into my children, all of whom are now adults, and it seems it worked. Today, they will run something by me, and I simply say problem<<<<<solution? You chose. I'm human, so I do still start with the problem, but fairly quickly move to the solution. Life is so much easier, and less anger filled. Thank you for this video. Spot on.
I find both formats very enjoyable, engaging, thought provoking, and relaxing. I would say that out of a scale of 1 to 10, you reading it is a 10, he is a 9. There is just something to be noticed when the author is reading it and puts in very subtle tones and emphasis on little details that as he wants to communicate. Then further expounds on those points while connecting them to more detailed thoughts and experiences.
Thanks Andrew. I appreciate your input on this.
Beautifully done. A truly pertinent reminder that everyone should hear and respond to with at least a analysis of what matters in their lives.
This is very thought provoking, thank you. I have begun to unravel this in my own life, and understand that things that I think I want (such as a bowl of ice Cream) are not at all what I really want but I don’t know how to ask for the things I want. It’s a struggle to balance communicating when I need support with the understanding that I am ultimately responsible for my own happiness so I just don’t ask anyone for anything. I feel like I have so far to go!
Renee, thanks so much for sharing that. We're all on a journey and I don't think any of us will reach the end of it in this life. Even the biggest lessons that we've learned, we'll often see later that there was still more there to be discovered. I think you are right that it is important to communicate our desires and needs with those we love and live with. It helps us to understand each other better and know how we can better support each other. However, I think that our ultimate desires are so deep that they can not be filled by the people around us, by any experience, or even by anything we can do ourselves. I think we come up against these desires that are so profound that we have to reach beyond all of that to encounter the answer that waits for us in the silence. The answer that is found in that gentle almost silent whisper.
thank you so much for the reply and insight, this is very helpful.
Whispers in the Wilderness that I bought at the RMNP visitors center is how I found you and your work. Looking forward to this immensely. I reread Whispers in the Wilderness as a meditation.
That’s great Renee. So glad to have you listening. Since you are so familiar with Whispers, I figured I’d let you know that I’ll start diverging from this book and begin heading into new territory in early March.
Beautifully done!!!
Thank you so much Andrew!
So beautiful and calming! ♥️
Thank you Wendy!
Whispers in the Wilderness is a Wonderful Book, I've read over and over. Hearing it read by Brett Wilson and watching the film at the same time, was magical. Thank You!
I'm so glad that you enjoyed this version. :)
I also have his books. They are honestly my all time favorite books for numerous reasons.