Building in Harmony with Nature

As a human race, we have an opportunity to reconnect with something deeply intuitive: how to be present with nature, how to work with it, and how to truly listen.

My perspective shifted profoundly when I lived and worked at Vedanta Spiritual & Holistic Retreat in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Nestled among rolling hills, ancient trees, and expansive skies, the retreat embodied a quiet beauty that felt intentional, respectful, and deeply connected to the land.
Immersed in raw nature, I softened. I became more attentive to the subtle intelligence of the environment, even finding myself instinctively asking permission before leaning against a tree. In just two weeks, I encountered more wildlife than I had in my entire life, including a mountain lion. The experience was humbling and unforgettable.

While teaching wellness and spiritual retreats and supporting daily operations, I came to understand something essential: when we work in harmony with the natural flow of life, wellbeing deepens. When we listen to the land and build with care and awareness, balance is created. The Earth is a living entity, and our environments respond when they are treated with respect.

There is a clear distinction between building in dense urban settings and building on living land. In cities, nature can be invited inward through thoughtful design. When developing on natural landscapes, a deeper opportunity exists, one that calls for wisdom, reverence, and building with the land rather than against it.

After two decades in hospitality, I see how powerful it can be when wellbeing and environmental integrity lead alongside business goals. As wellness hospitality leaders, we are uniquely positioned to shape a more regenerative future.

How might guest experience be affected if hospitality development started by listening to the land first?