River Time
book resources
About the Book
If nature is a mirror or a messenger, what is it showing us? And what can we turn to that is steadier than the circumstances of our lives? These inquiries lie at the heart of River Time: Mindful Reflections from the Upper Hudson.
River Time invites readers on a contemplative journey along the Upper Hudson River through 56 original stories and poems, accompanied by 73 color photographs that capture the river’s natural beauty and shifting moods. Drawing from nearly two decades of riverside living and four decades of meditation practice, Meyer explores how presence, gratitude, and compassion can transform our relationship with nature and with ourselves. River Time is a perfect gift for nature lovers and for anyone seeking peace, steadiness, and sanctuary in daily life.
Each piece invites the reader to slow down, open the senses, and connect more deeply—with nature, with the present moment, and with their own inner life. Whether recounting a yearlong river sunrise photography practice, an evolving relationship with fast boats, or a missed shot that became a lesson in impermanence, these stories speak to the grounding and healing power of mindful awareness in nature. Steeped in both personal experience and universal insight, River Time invites readers to reconnect with the deeper current of life that steadies us from within.
The book is organized into four thematic sections—The More Than Human World, The Human World, Rhythms of the River, and The Inner River—offering a full-circle journey from the outer landscape to the inner.
In addition to the full-color print edition, an unabridged visual audiobook, narrated by the author and featuring hundreds of still and moving river images, provides an immersive experience that brings the river’s teachings to life.
The “art meets mindfulness” premium full-color edition is only available directly from the author. Printed on premium color paper, it invites you into the sensory richness and quiet beauty of the Hudson River through both word and image. Please note that the color edition available through online booksellers is printed on standard quality paper.
Endorsements
“Charming”
—Jack Kornfield, Author of A Path with Heart
“River Time is a gift—far more than a meditation on River’s wisdom, it’s an embodied immersion into the solace, equilibrium and learning that proximity to water, nature and the sacred patterns within them offer. Weaving personal reflections, essays and poems, this book generously springs from the wellspring of the author’s long apprenticeship with the river and those kindred creatures who cohabit it with her. It’s lucid, accessible, eloquent and a much-needed medicine for navigating this precipitous time. Gift yourself, and savor it, dipping in as you feel called. You won’t be sorry!”
—Nina Simons, Co-founder, Bioneers & author of Nature, Culture & the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership
“Susan Meyer has created a luminous offering—a gentle weaving of mindfulness, nature, and soulfulness. Her stories, poetry, and photographs invite us to slow down, listen deeply, and remember our belonging to the living world. With reverence and insight, she reminds us that the river is not just a place of beauty, but a teacher of presence, resilience, and grace. This is a delightful book to savor slowly, like a quiet paddle on still water.”
—Mark Coleman, Author of A Field Guide to Nature Meditation
“River Time is a gift of beauty and peace. Take your time as you journey on New York’s Hudson River with the author. A photographer, Susan offers compelling views of river life. These are supplemented with her essays and poetry on kayaking, water lilies, herons, mindfulness, and even dredging. This book is a lovely gift to give yourself or water loving friends. Whatever page you open to, you will find a refreshing, captivating experience—much like the river itself.”
—Starr Regan DiCiurcio, Author of Dwelling in Wonder
book club kit
Ideas for organizing your River Time session
Brief guided meditation
List of discussion questions
immersive videos
Experience some peaceful moments on the river.
guided meditations
Incoporate river imagery into your meditation practice.
River Time PhotoS
Below are select photo highlights from the book. Photos are captioned with the name of the story or poem they’re linked with. Click to see the full image. Most photos are available for purchase in a variety of formats from my shop.
Water Lily Wisdom
Goose Inspiration
Great Blue Heron
Egret on the Shore
Different Views
Fascinated by Ice
Beads of Dew
In the Morning Mist
The Exquisite Angle
River Bliss
Zoom Out
Where Does the River Begin and End