What you have just described is something that I
occasionallyexperiencefor brief momentswhenI amalone
andsurroundedbynature.

Yes. Zen masters use the word satori to describe a flashof
insight,a moment of no-mind and total presence. Although
satori is not a lasting transformation, be grateful when it
comes, for it gives you a taste of enlightenment. You may,
indeed, have experienced it many times without knowing
whatitisandrealizingitsimportance.Presenceisneededto
become aware of the beauty, themajesty, the sacredness of
nature.Haveyouevergazed upintotheinfinityofspaceon
a clear night, awestruck by the absolute stillness and
inconceivable vastness of it? Have you listened, truly
listened,tothesoundofamountainstream intheforest?Or
tothesongofablackbirdatduskonaquietsummerevening?
Tobecomeawareof suchthings,themindneedstobestill.
Youhavetoput downfora momentyour personalbaggage
of problems, of past and future, as well as all your
knowledge; otherwise,youwill seebut notsee,hearbutnot
hear.Yourtotalpresenceisrequired.
Beyondthebeautyof the external forms,there is more
here: something that cannot benamed, something ineffable,
some deep, inner, holy essence. Whenever and wherever
there is beauty, this inner essenceshines throughsomehow.
Itonlyrevealsitselftoyouwhenyouarepresent.Coulditbe
thatthisnamelessessenceandyourpresenceareoneandthe
same? Would it be there without your presence? Godeeply
intoit.Findoutforyourself.

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When you experienced those moments of presence, you