birding

This is a biggie.

If you know me you know I'm obsessed with birding. There have been times in the last few years when I've thought maybe I need to take some time off. (Those of you with compulsive tendencies understand.) It is a great joy of my life, and the closest thing to a spiritual practice I have. So here goes.

Birding is, at its most basic level, paying attention to the natural world around you. It is catching movement in a tree mid-conversation. It is hearing a faint trill as you wait at a stoplight. It is an orientation towards the world that is open-hearted and attentive. Now, you'll probably also want to buy a pair of binoculars and maybe download some apps, but at its heart it's just noticing.

In this way, birding is a walking meditation. But what's so GREAT about birding is that if, like me, you need a little more stimulation (see: ADHD) the goal of finding birds is just mind-focusing enough (see: gamification) to get you outside for hours on end without looking at your phone once (see: hyper-focus). Inevitably, as I walk, my mind wanders, and I find myself thinking clearly and calmly about my work, my relationships, whatever. Birding is a portal to an expansive place. I guess that's what meditation is for those who practice it.

AND you get to learn about birds!! There are so many amazing birds around us, and they're always doing interesting things! I've seen 145 species of bird in Brooklyn alone. Doing things like feeding their babies, feeding other birds' babies, having sex, defending their territory, learning how to fly... Turns out amassing a large amount of knowledge without having to read a book is a very cool thing.

If I've convinced you, here are the basic steps to get going:

1. Download Merlin. It's like Shazam for birds.

2. Go to a park and find a quiet place. Put Merlin on. Marvel at how many beautiful birds are around you. Try to see them.

3. Be frustrated you can't see them. Buy a pair of binoculars.

4. If you find a checklist very exciting, download eBird, the world's largest database of citizen-collected scientific observations!

If you have ADHD you should bird.

If you need to get out of the house you should bird.

If you need to get off your phone you should bird.

If you love animals you should bird.

If you think citizen science is cool you should bird.

If you like video games you should bird.

If you like meeting strangers with shared interests you should bird.

If you want to meditate but can't meditate you should bird.

ABB (always be birding) xo