Nature As Therapist & Therapy
Leaning against this tree seems like a normal thing to do. But as I bring my attention to the essence of the tree I am flooded by its healing and teachings, experienced as a subtle exchange of energies. A sense of strength and stability enters me. My belly relaxes and my breath slows down. I feel grounded, rooted and my mind clears. I feel peaceful and start to experience again the compassion and patience I’d lost for myself and my friend in this current situation.
Feeling more back home in myself I notice that my sense of smell and hearing are more acute. The scent of maple leaves and pine permeate my nostrils with great delight. The birds are closer and feel more familiar. Even the touch of the cool wind on my skin feels softer.
It is not always this easy to connect with Nature. The busyness of everyday life and being indoors a lot lately has pulled me away from this part of myself – my larger body. For I’ve truly come to see that there no longer is an “out there” and “in here”. There never was. I had simply forgotten that, in truth, I am Earth in every possible way.
My work through the Shamanu: Earth Wisdom Teachings, has led me on an incredible journey of interconnection with myself, non-human beings and nature. It has awakened a depth of understanding, a knowing and love that has brought me great joy. Yet, my heart continued to yearn for “something”. I thought it was the “perfect” relationship. Well, in a way it was, but not with a partner – as I had thought, but with Gaia the Earth Mother.
Three days of being surrounded by nature, on spiritual grounds, eating well and doing many processes to open my heart and body I can easily feel Earth. Her many forms are eager to share with me Her teachings, medicines and love. It is so easy. As easy as leaning against this tree and letting myself be surrounded by its nourishing energies.
The fulfillment I experience from my relationship with Nature has opened many magical doors in my consciousness and brought deep healing. This nourishes my relationship with my partner, friends, my work and the land and animals I am gifted to tend to daily.
To be fulfilled and nourished is, I believe, a natural and true urge for all creatures, including humans. When one tries to find this through “the” relationship, through one’s children, one’s work, or any kind of addiction, it always falls short. So we start to crave more and more from that person or thing. I have seen, over and over again, people’s lives change and balance when their relationship with Earth is re-established. For wherever you turn, nature is filled with things that want to share themselves with you, be it an animal, plant, the sun, rain, wind or a rock. There’s no agenda. You are accepted as you are – unconditionally.
Water, air, earth, fire and the mysterious life-force some call Spirit, these are what we are made of. As we take time to listen to the essence of each of these, as well as other beings of nature, we are giving tremendous insight into who we are, why we are here, how to nourish and heal ourselves and our environment. These insights will be unique to each one but the common thread is a remembering of oneself as an integral part of the web of life, completely interconnected.
The illusion of separation from the Earth has allowed us to do great harm to ourselves and the planet. Much of it is irreversible. There are many dismal predictions about how much longer life can be sustained with what we’re doing to the water systems, rain forests, atmosphere, etc. This in itself is good enough reason to re-think our relationship to Gaia. This, you will find, is not a chore. We are not here to ‘save’ the world. As we remember our ecological roots our lives change in ways that support the living systems of Earth. It’s a delight! As easy as breathing in and out. I thank my tree friend for its inspiration and soft bark to rest my body against.
“Give nature just half a chance and she has a miracle in store for everyone.” ~ Dr. Rosita Arvogo