On inter-being with nature
Yesterday was earth day, which inspired me to share some thoughts I have been having on nature and my relationship with her. And really, everyday is earth day. As an inhabitant of this beautiful, abundant planet, every day is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and small miracles she offers. Everyday I get to wake up with the sun, breathe fresh air, smell the grass, dip myself in cool water, and feel the breeze on my skin. One of the greatest gifts of these past few months traveling has been giving myself the gift of moving slowly enough to be present in nature and tune into this healing potential.
Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate it.
But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a “sacred bond”...
As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us!”
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweet Grass
This quote reminds me that the deepest healing power of nature arises when we are in relationship with her. There is a concept called the biophilia hypothesis, put forth in 1984 by Edward O. Wilson, which proposes that human beings have an innate and biologically driven tendency to seek connection with nature and all forms of life. This wisdom has been innately known, shared, ritualized, and practiced throughout the centuries by indigenous cultures which lived in closer connection to the natural world. I interpret this to mean that we see ourselves in nature - we recognize the same-ness and the connectedness we share with the ocean, the rivers, the lakes, the trees, the birds and other animals. When we have experienced and cultivated a “sacred bond” with nature, we are naturally driven to act on this love. We want to share nature’s healing power with others, we want to protect nature and our world against further destruction.
Now our modern society is remembering this. And, we are beginning to scientifically study it. This idea has been studied in relation to health and wellbeing, which has found that humans heal faster and experience greater wellbeing when they increase their connection to nature. Scientific studies are now demonstrating that being engaged with nature through activities such as gardening, forest bathing, swimming, surfing can improve mental and physical health. Applications of biophilic design in offices and other working environments can reduce stress levels and improve cognitive function.
Spending time in nature helps us feel calm, relaxed, and mentally refreshed. An interesting component of why this might be relates to a concept called “soft fascination.” Soft fascination is a state of mind where the brain’s attentional systems are gently engaged in the natural environment in a flexible way, without the need for highly directed focus. If you think about your “typical day” for a moment, reflect on how you are most commonly using your attention and cognitive resources. Tasks like answering emails, joining meetings, cooking dinner, having social conversations, or trying to meet a deadline require us to filter out many distractions and “hone in” on our task and our goals. Even if we enjoy and take pride in the output of our engagement, these tasks can leave our attentional resources drained.
Now call to mind one of your favorite places in nature. Remember and imagine the animals and plants you see, the movement of life around you, the sounds, and the sensations on your skin. Feel and sense into the quality of mind you experience as you watch nature move and breathe around you.
How does your body feel as you experience soft fascination? Your mind? Your heart?
My body feels calm, heavy, settled, and warm. My mind feels open, relaxed, with a sense of gentle curiosity and wonder. My heart feels grateful to be a part of something larger than myself, something that invites me to enjoy with no expectations that I do anything other than simply be.
Happy earth day, friends. Wishing you a nature-filled weekend with soft fascination, joy, and awe.
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This article was originally published on Substack, where you can access the full archive of my writing and subscribe to my Living Aligned newsletter.