Welcome! I am a contemplative thinker and photographer from Colorado. In this blog, you'll discover photographs that I've taken on my hiking and backpacking trips, mostly in the American West. I've paired these with my favorite inspirational and philosophical quotes - literary passages that emphasize the innate spirituality of the natural world. I hope you enjoy them!

If you'd like to purchase photo-quote greeting cards, please go to www.NaturePhoto-QuoteCards.com .


In the Spirit of Wildness,

Stephen Hatch
Fort Collins, Colorado

P.S. There's a label index at the bottom of the blog.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Self-reflection is a core element of the spiritual life.


One of the most important elements of spiritual growth is the capacity for self-reflection.  Our natural tendency is to blame others for our problems.  However, when we practice introspection, we begin to uncover our own biases, rooted in our religious beliefs, gender, unique history and personality type.  All of these work together to create the filter through which we look at the world and others.  If we can make this filter conscious, we can at least choose whether or not we want to base our lives on it.  In addition, becoming aware of the filters through which OTHERS view the world helps us in understanding each other, and serves as the beginning of a more peaceful and cooperative existence in the world.

Photo: Reflections of the peaks in Twin Crater Lakes, with Elephanthead and Queen's Crown blooming on the shoreline; Rawah Wilderness, Medicine Bow Range, CO; August 16, 2013









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