We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Pensak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, what principle do you value most?
Showing reverence and treating the Earth and all its beings with deep respect feels vitally important at this time. I am continually asking myself, “How can I listen to the planet and act wisely to support its efforts to heal and rebalance?” For me this means building a reciprocal relationship with Earth, not only receiving the benefits and wisdom of nature, but also giving back to support the continued health of the planet for generations to come. To support the health and well being of all, this also means learning how to support BIPOC and marginalized communities who have been oppressed by systemic racism and the ongoing target of environmental racism. Instead of endlessly raping the world of its resources and dominating people, reverence and respect asks us to take time to honor others by listening to what people need to heal and what the lands need to regenerate. We are living in a time where it feels urgent to come together in community to break down systems that are contributing to harm and to build new sustainable ways of living. We have known this need for years, and yet here we are in 2020 faced with continued global uncertainty, mistreatment of others and disruption of natural cycles. While many are becoming more aware of the negative effects of conventional farming, deforestation and fossil fuel use, much of humanity continues to sleepwalk through each day not realizing the Earth provides us life and is worthy of our protection and attention. What does toilet paper matter when our air is unbreathable, our water undrinkable, and our food void of nutrients due to dead soil? Our current culture promotes and praises individual success, productivity and conquering life instead of building community, respecting process and regenerating life. Consumerism possesses the minds of many humans, being busy is glamorized and we’ve forgotten how to love what allows us to live: the Air, Earth, Water and Fire elements of Mother Earth and the Sun. The Earth continually provides and many have forgotten how to say thank you and listen to her needs. By paying attention to cycles and natural truths, reconnecting to the elements through our senses, and acting with discernment from a place of love, we show deep reverence for the Earth. These are the cornerstones of the work I am guided to bring into the world. How do we become an ally for this planet and its beings? Reverence means entering into a kind relationship with all living beings. It’s about planting trees and seeds for the next generation because we’ve been freely given air to breathe and a variety of foods to eat. It’s about standing up to companies who pollute neighborhoods and target BIPOC. Respect means paying attention to the natural cycles that already exist in nature so we can create regenerative solutions instead of ego-based solutions. Reverence encourages listening to the Earth to know how to help bring balance versus dominating the elements through our desire to fix or save. We can choose to plant pollinators so bees and butterfly populations regenerate supporting our food growth. Respect is voting with your money to support local farmers and organic practices instead of paying and supporting conventional chemical farming that is causing disease and dead soil. Reverence is about sitting with a tree and saying thank you for the oxygen. Respect is about standing up for all people and letting our government and systems know it is time to give lands back to Indigenous Peoples and to support BIPOC through reparations. It feels imperative to help others remember their own interconnection with life beyond the endless hours on screens, and I’m ready to help people on the journey as a nature-based meditation leader.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love sharing nature-based meditation and mindfulness practices on an individual level and in groups. Before the pandemic, my classes were typically held outside on beaches, at a park or in a forest where space was held for humans to slow down and just be present. It is a joy watching people remember how to connect with their natural environments, both internal and external. I remind people how to pay attention to their body, heart and mind in a kind way to invite relaxation and ease. When practicing nature meditation, intimacy develops as people learn how to come into a deep connection with the elements of the Earth through the senses: through hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, and smelling. Many have forgotten how to pay attention and engage with the natural elements as life has moved onto screens. I also experienced this feeling of separation in my life while climbing the ladder in the working world rat race prioritizing productivity over peace. Nature meditation and practice helped me slow down and to remember the waters that quench my thirst come from oceans, streams and rivers. The clouds and rain flow through my body as blood and liquid. The food I eat comes from plants and animals and becomes my organs and tissues. The air inside my lungs is from oxygen gifted to me from plants and trees. The energy I feel from the sun grows plants and provides energy so I can thrive. When I started to remember this through meditation, I couldn’t turn away from the call to be an ally for the Earth and it’s people. I had become sick in the heart, mind and body the more separate and “societally successful” I became. It felt hard to walk away from comforts and to say no to engaging in activities that didn’t support my values when transitioning into this work. I’m far from perfect in my attempts to protect the Earth and yet feel empowered knowing I am doing my antiracist work, reducing my consumerism, supporting local agriculture, planting food for the children of the future and saying thank you everyday for air! To make a bigger impact, I’m aligning with others who have similar values. In truth, my period of separation from nature led me to this fulfilling work as a guide and teacher. I hope to inspire others to find peace in simplicity, feel the call of the heart to protect the planet and to form community. Online platforms have now opened up the opportunity to guide people around the globe in nature practices while they sit outside, and we connect through the web! I do this work individually and in small groups while I’m living on a farm. Nature asks us to slow down and heal. To improve the health of the world, we need to heal our hearts, train our minds, listen deeply and to give back wisely. How do we begin to show reverence for the planet? Walk slowly, put your phone away, look at the trees on your own street, smell a flower, plant a tomato, invest in local farmers, share your material objects when you’re done with them, vote for those who respect the planet, engage in antiracist work, come together with communities with similar values and say, THANK YOU aloud when you walk outside. I’ve learned an amazing quality of Mother Earth is her forgiveness. No matter how far we have strayed or what harm we have done she invites us back with open arms. The Earth is ready and waiting for us to pay attention and to act wisely. Will you choose to listen? Will you choose to show reverence even if there isn’t an App that? Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us in her beautiful book, Braiding Sweetgrass, “Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” I’m ready and waiting to help you remember how to pay attention and love through nature-based meditation practices. You can connect with me online for individual mentoring or group classes and nature experiences.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I absolutely adore hiking and slowing down to connect with the nature of Topanga Canyon. From Trippet Ranch, there are several ways to get to Eagle Rock. You’ll walk through open spaces, shady trees and a meadow before arriving at a large rock that overlooks the canyon and the sea. There are several local spots to stop at after to eat and relax including the Inn of the Seventh Ray. If you’re up for a drive on the Pacific Coast Highway 1, stop at Leo Carrillo State Beach to explore the tidal pools, surf and crawl into many beach huts built in the sand. Swing by Plumcot Farms to pick up a box of local organic produce! Watch the sun sink into the Pacific at sunset in Santa Monica at Lifeguard Stand 28 safe distancing of course. Lastly, book a ticket to see The Flight of Voices, a local community of solo music artists who perform in unique places around town. They’ve done wonders creating online concerts during this time and will lift your spirits!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this Shoutout to all the spiritual teachers in my life! With their honest guidance and presence, I continue to see my own limiting beliefs and have the courage to dive deep to understand my truest self. The wisdom and love has helped me blossom into a more loving and free woman one baby step at a time. While everyone in my life has been a teacher in their own way, I’d like to recognize in alphabetical order the teachings and support of Caitriona Reed, Deborah Eden Tull, Dhyanjot, Martin Aylward, Mark Coleman and Spring Washam. I’d also like to honor my ancestors, my parents, Richard and Vivian Pensak, my mother in spirit Carolyn Pensak and Mother Earth for support and helping me to grow.

Website: www.melaniepensak.com
Instagram: @mpensak9
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniepensak/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meditateatthebeach/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSTK1cEo6oOsYS5B8rKMeoA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Theo and Juliet Josie Farrior, Kim Nellans