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Nature is where I go to decompress; where I release what is too heavy and find myself. When I stand barefooted on the earth, my soles begin to grow roots. I am reminded that I am the trees, the leaves, the dark, rich matter–I am everything. There is nothing I am made of that Mother Earth can’t hold. I empty all that I think I am and become vibrant again.
Spirituality and nature have always been interconnected. From the moment our spirit enters our body and we breathe our first breath, a symbiotic dance with Mother Earth begins. We are innately attuned to her rhythms, her pulsating core, her transformations that we witness with every passing season. In the same way that a mother's breasts nourish, warm, and comfort her newborn, Mama Gaia provides us with the medicine of trees, herbs, flowers, sunlight, ocean waves, deep breaths, and all the sweet treasures of this planet we call home. These are the sacred gifts she offers us freely. A promise of complete restoration if we only open our hearts to receive. So, how do we honor these sacred gifts? How can we co-create with nature in a way that benefits our healing process?
1 We restore our sense of wonder
If you need an example of how to do this, observe the way children play when no one is watching. Take a moment to connect with your inner child and see the world through their eyes. The delightful sound of the calls and songs that birds use to communicate with each other. The way beams of sunlight stream through gaps in trees and clouds. The way a hummingbird feeds on the nectar of a flower. The smell of the air when rain is coming. Once upon a time, your young eyes were curious and fascinated by the environment around you. It is incredibly healing for those of us who may have experienced a less than ideal childhood to rekindle that childlike wonder as adults.
2 We spend time in her sanctuary
I had the privilege of spending 6 months living at a Buddhist Retreat Center in California and it was there that I learned what it meant to be in deep communion with the spirit of the forest. There is nothing more powerful than sitting in the presence of a 300 foot Redwood tree. The ancient wisdom, strength, and longevity they radiant was like sitting at the feet of a native elder telling stories. I always left feeling grounded in my body and energetically charged up.
This is the medicine we can receive when we allow ourselves the pleasure of spending time with her in whatever way that feels aligned with us. Walk barefoot on the grass in your backyard, visit a conservatory and breathe in the intoxicating scents of ferns and other plant life, or simply sit on a park bench in silence. If you want to connect on a deeper level, practice the art of forest bathing (also known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese). The simple act of making nature a haven can enhance our sense of well-being and our life force.
3 We honor the sacred temple that is our body
Our relationship with our bodies can be complex. There is profound collective healing taking place on a cellular level and many of us are relearning how to deeply nourish ourselves. Imagine your body as a garden. In the same way that a garden operates within natural cycles, the body requires water, nutrients, and sunlight to function optimally. The in tune gardener knows that balancing the components of the garden supports the whole system and encourages plants to flourish.
This is the art of co-creating with nature.
Mama Gaia provides us with everything we need when we lovingly connect with her wisdom.
An invitation to heal
The healing power of nature lies within our ability to make space for her to extend an invitation, and our willingness to accept her many gifts. She is always whispering, nudging, and sitting patiently in the core of our being. Awaiting the opportunity to serve. Awaiting our return.
Journal Prompts:
Explore All Of Your Senses. Spend some time in nature and describe the textures, scents, and sounds you experience. What role do your senses play in your perception of what you are seeing?
Connect Your Emotions To The Landscape Around You. Describe how the scenery reflects or influences your feelings.
Connect with the healing power of nature
Inquire about our upcoming ceremonial retreats and experience the wisdom and oneness of nature in an intimate group, surrounded by the whispers of the forest, facilitated by experienced, compassionate medicine women and men.
Akasha Lotus is a freelance writer and self-published author of “The Soul Promptings of a Nomadic Goddess”. As an ecstatic earth voyager and holistic health enthusiast, she has spent the past 8 years trekking to many lands to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and the universe, and transforming herself on a profound level. While traveling throughout the United States and parts of Central America, she has volunteered her time to farming, gardening, studying plant medicine, and living in intentional communities where she can share her passions and skills with like-minded people. To live authentically and inspire others to express their highest potential is her deepest intention.
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