Recently I was diagnosed with PTSD and clinical depression. I sought therapy for a while, and it significantly helped me regain control of my life slowly and gradually. Mindfulness practice in rain helped me overcome the feeling of helplessness. It started my journey of a mindful lifestyle.

When began learning meditation and mindfulness, it was challenging to even practice for a minute because it was hard to simply sit down and focus on my breathing due to constant mind chatter.

“We suffer more imagination, then in reality”

– Marcus Aurelius      

So I gave up.

A Humble Request: If you experience even the slightest hint of depression, please seek professional therapy. Depression can start and progress differently for each individual, but a common factor is that many people are unaware they have it until it becomes detrimental to their well-being.

A few weeks later, I came across a lifesaving book titled “The Miracle of Mindfulness” by Thich Nhat Hanh. One line in the book completely transformed my understanding of mindfulness:

“There are two ways to wash the dishes. The first is to wash the dishes in order to have clean dishes and the second is to wash the dishes in order to wash the dishes.”

Read that a few times.

 “While washing the dishes, you might be thinking about the tea afterwards, and so try to get them out of the way as quickly as possible in order to sit and drink tea. But that means that you are incapable of living during the time you are washing the dishes.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

This idea struck me profoundly because most of us live like a pendulum, constantly swinging between the past and the future. We are always somewhere else. In contrast, mindfulness is simply living or being fully present in the moment.

I resumed practicing mindfulness, realizing that it is not just an activity but a way of life, a lifestyle. Using the example of washing dishes, I started practicing mindfulness while showering, cooking, eating, watering my garden, and even during my morning uphill hikes.

While I have always loved rain as much as sunsets and sunrises, it wasn’t until I embraced the idea of being present that I realized how rain could also be an excellent way to meditate and practice mindfulness. This might be why there’s so much music available with sounds of nature for meditation.

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.”
― Jon Kabat-Zinn

Why Mindfulness Practice in Rain Helped?

Connection with Nature

Our bodies are made up of 70% water, so it’s natural to feel a deep connection to water. I felt that this inherent bond enhanced my sense of unity with nature during rain showers.

Micro Massage

I had my first waterfall bath experience during my teenage years. It is known as Bee Fall because its height creates a sensation on the skin similar to a bee sting when you stand beneath it. However, for me, it was the sensory experience that stood out, akin to a thousand micro deep tissue massages. I’ve felt a similar sensation while showering in the rain—therapeutic and relaxing—leaving me feeling rejuvenated and ready for a nap.

A Natural Cleanse

Many ancient and modern cultures associate rain with renewal and growth. When I was struggling with mood swings during my therapy, standing in the rain often made me feel like a fresh start or a new beginning, promoting my emotional healing and mental clarity.

Natural White Noise

The soothing and rhythmic sound of rain acts like white noise, which really helped me quiet my mind and facilitate a meditative state.

Visual and Auditory Focus

Watching the rain and listening to its sounds provided a focal point for my mindfulness practice, helping me anchor my thoughts and prevented mental wandering.

Letting Go

Embracing the rain helped me let go of my worries, fostering a sense of acceptance and relief from stress.

“In mindfulness one is not only restful and happy, but alert and awake. Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh

Emotional Balance

Rain can evoke a range of emotions, from nostalgia to joy. As Charlie Chaplin said, “I love to walk in the rain because no one can see me crying.”. I have cried in such a way countless times.

“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”
— Langston Hughes

Spiritual Connection

Rain offerd me a spiritual experience without the need for religion (though I’m religious). Many cultures view rain as a blessing or a sign of divine presence.

Feeling of Awe

Being in the presence of something vast, like rain, can induce a sense of awe. Psychologist Dacher Keltner has studied the physiological and psychological effects of awe, which include feelings of self-transcendence, increased vitality, and reduced stress. I’ve often experienced awe during rain, sunrises, sunsets, or when surrounded by nature, sometimes bringing me to tears. Initially, I thought it was sadness, but but it was awe that Keltner defines as

“the sensation of being in the presence of something vast that simultaneously transcends one’s understanding of the world.”

“I wondered whether water is a mirror for our darker emotions as much as it is an engine for our happiness. Water quiets all the noise, all the distractions, and connects you to your own thoughts.”
— Wallace J. Nichols, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do

How to perform Mindfulness Practice in Rain

Avoid the First Few Rains of the Season: Let the season settle in while you enjoy the petrichor. The first rains often bring down pollutants and dust particles accumulated over the dry season, which can cause skin irritations, infections, and other health issues. I think there is some scientific evidence to it but I have not searched for it.

Find an Open, Safe Place: Choose a rooftop, ground, or garden away from tall objects like trees, hoardings, or electric poles. As much as I love a rainfall during my hike but my rooftop is often my best choice because its so convinient.

In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version.
— James Clear

Avoid Thunderstorms and Lightning: Do not shower in the rain if there is lightning or thunder. Safety always comes first.

Wear Appropriate Clothing: Less clothing is preferable, such as beachwear or shorts. I wear boxer shorts.

Consider Footwear: While barefoot can enhance your connection with the earth, wearing antiskid footwear like rain boots or flip-flops is wise to prevent slipping. My rooftop can be a bit slippery due to my plants so I always wear my antiskid flip-flops.

Experience the Rain Fully: You can dance, move around, or sit quietly, but the best experience can be had with closed eyes, feeling each water droplet on your skin. Occasionally I dance but most of the time I stand quite with my eyes closed.

After-Shower Cleanliness: If you live in an urban area with high pollution levels, consider taking a shower at home afterward, just like you would after swimming in a pool or visiting the beach.

Avoid if unwell: If you have any sickness or sensitive to cold or weather, it would be wise to find other ways to be mindful and meditate.

Mindfulness Practice in Rain Process

Close Your Eyes: Imagine washing away all your pains, worries, and stress while nurturing yourself with childlike joy. Embrace the moment, focusing on the sounds of the rain and the sensation of water falling on your skin.

Mindfulness Focus: If your mind wanders, use the sound of the rain and the feeling on your skin as a compass to return to the present moment.

While you may have your own reasons to hate rains, I hope you give it a try this way one more time.

I wish you rain!

Endnote

There is also a practice called RAIN meditation, which is not related to rainfall or showering in the rain. It is an acronym coined by author Tara Brach, serving as a tool for practicing mindfulness and compassion through four steps:

• Recognize what is happening.
• Allow the experience to be there, just as it is.
• Investigate with interest and care.
• Nurture with self-compassion.

It’s worth checking out.

People Mentioned

• Marcus Aurelius
• Thich Nhat Hanh
• Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Dacher Keltner
• Charlie Chaplin
• Langston Hughes
• Wallace J. Nichols
• James Clear
• Tara Brach

Books Referenced

• The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
• Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Awe: The transformative Power of Everyday Wonder by Dacher Keltner
• Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Wallace J. Nichols