Chasing the Ephemeral Part 1: A Spring Rain Meditation Practice

What if the most meaningful experiences are the ones we can only meet in the moment? This first episode in a three-part spring series explores the concept of "ephemeral"—those fleeting wildflowers, temporary woodland pools, and brief moments of wonder that can only be caught when we're fully present. Join meditation teacher Meryl Arnett for a journey into spring's hush, where we learn to practice awe and find renewal in life's most transient moments.Set against the backdrop of a mountain rain shower in Washington's Cascade Mountains (real sounds, no AI), this episode teaches the AWE technique—a simple practice for cultivating wonder in everyday life, even when spring feels chaotic and overwhelming.What You'll DiscoverThe meaning of "ephemeral" and why spring offers unique lessons about impermanence, presence, and renewalThe AWE technique - a simple 30-second micro-practice using Attention, Wait, and Exhale to cultivate wonder anywhereHow to find stability in spring's chaos by learning to "linger on the edge of now" rather than rushing toward summerA 20-minute guided meditation with spring rain sounds to practice cultivating awe and presenceAbout the Spring Rain SoundscapeThis meditation features the authentic sounds of a spring rain shower recorded by acoustic ecologist Nick McMahon in the deep western valleys of the Cascade Mountains, on the ancestral land of the Stillaguamish People. The saturated valley floor, soft and spotted with marshes, old-growth groves, rivers, and streams, provides pristine solitude during early spring months. As the days grow longer, these recordings capture the transition from night to day, allowing us to listen to the movement of time through nature's expression.This recording also captures Nick's first recording of a Barred Owl, discovered during the editing process, adding an extra layer of ephemeral magic to the soundscape.Recording credit: Nick McMahon, Acoustic EcologistYour Weekly PracticeChoose one ephemeral moment each day and pause for it. Use the AWE technique: pay attention, wait, and exhale. Notice how this practice of reverential wonder softens the boundaries of self and connects you to something larger.Coming Up in This SeriesPart 2 releases Wednesday (one day early) with April's Full Pink Moon, continuing this spring rain meditation and deepening our exploration of the ephemeralPart 3 completes the series as we follow the full journey of spring's renewal and impermanenceThe photos you see throughout this meditation are also from Nick McMahan.Sign up for my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/jjPrV2 to receive free mini meditations and soundscapes each week, along with creative musings and more.In 2026, Our Mindful Nature will release seasonal series rather than weekly episodes, allowing for richer, more in-depth explorations of meditation and mental health topics. Learn more or contact me at https://www.merylarnett.com/. Thank you to Nick McMahan for today’s nature field recordings; and thank you to Brianna Nielsen for production and editing support. Find them at:https://www.nickcmcmahan.com/https://www.instagram.com/itsbriannanielsenThis podcast explores meditation, mental health and the power of connection, offering guidance for caregivers, healers, and therapists facing compassion fatigue, burnout, and other mental health struggles through self-care, self-compassion, and resilience. With a focus on anxiety, depression, and overwhelm, each episode provides tools like meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and grounding to cultivate clarity and reduce stress. Listeners can also experience nature-inspired guided meditations, designed to bring peace and balance in times of distress.