{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep 135 Wild Embrace","description":" Welcome to the Mountain! The end of winter and the onset of summer has brought a beautiful lush, green world to us here on the eastern slope of the Colorado Rockies.  With more rain than usual, followed by cool mornings and incredible sunny days in between, Nature has given the gift of Paradise for us to embrace, explore and enjoy!  I recently had the privilege of narrating and producing an audiobook for my friend Erik Stensland, a well-known and loved, highly respected nature photographer and author, who owns a gallery here in Estes Park, Colorado, as well as one in Abiquiu, New Mexico, north of Santa Fe. He has spent the last twenty plus years celebrating the beauty of the natural world through his photography and books, encouraging all of us to listen to the whisper within that calls us to a deeper life.  A gentle soul, and deep spiritual thinker, Erik has written several books, including "Whispers in the Wilderness".  As a nature-lover and mountain addict, it\u2019s one of my all-time favorite books.   In it, he explores the longing we have for the wilderness, suggesting that it is the trailhead for a journey to wholeness.  Erik does a superb job of offering short, daily reflections on the natural world paired with his gorgeous photos from Rocky Mountain National Park, where he encourages us to go deeper within ourselves and discover the healing that nature offers. Today, I\u2019d like to share the first chapter called \u201cWild Embrace\u201d from his audiobook of \u201cWhispers in the Wilderness\u201d.  I invite you to find a comfortable setting where you can relax and close your eyes and absorb the sounds of nature, peaceful music and Erik\u2019s words of wisdom and comfort. Chapter 1 \u2013 \u201cWild Embrace\u201d   \u201cBetween every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.\u201d  ~ John Muir I invite you to go and find the door and the new life to which it leads you. I want to thank Erik for being such a humble and observant vessel, both in his words and nature photography, and especially for allowing us to offer it to you here today.  If you enjoyed today\u2019s show, and the message you heard, you can find out more about Erik and his incredibly inspiring books and photography at RockyTrailPress.com.  Also, if you are ever in Estes Park, you will definitely want to visit his gallery there \u2014 Images of Rocky Mountain National Park.  It is featured as one of the top things to do in Estes Park by Trip Advisor and others.  Who knows, we may see you there! Be well my friends.  Remember, Life is a gift.  Nature\u2019s a gift.  And YOU are a gift back to the world.  We\u2019ll see you back here again soon! SHOW NOTES: RockyTrailPress.com ImagesofRMNP.com Erikstensland.com \u201cWhispers in the Wilderness\u201d "Whispers in the Wilderness" Book Trailer on SkyDance Mountain Audiobooks ","author_name":"Mountain Zen Den Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/mountainzenden.libsyn.com\/website","html":"