“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.” --John Muir
I take this to mean that when we spend time in wild natural settings, soaking in our surroundings, being 'one with nature', we are imbibing the essence of life.
The modern world, particularly the urban landscape, is so full of manmade distractions that we frequently forget what it means to be alive at all.
When I leave the city to spend time in the wilderness, I am made aware of how basic life really is and how little it really requires of me in some respects. I experience a sense of release from the usual demands of enculturation which would have me scurrying after this goodie or that prize. Food tastes better. The air is perfumed with the smell of poplar trees, ferns and moss—free aromatherapy! It doesn’t take much to make one satisfied and happy in such an environment.
Nature is important because it puts us back in touch with who we actually are, stripped of the props we may routinely employ to maintain appearances. Things in nature are humble.
A butterfly doesn’t pretend to be something that it is not—it is what it is by nature. A butterfly’s being is organic, born of the same mystery that we are. You can feel this when you allow yourself to be open and receptive: a part of things, rather than apart from things in the wilderness.
The wilderness is part of our own nature, yet we seem relatively blind to this for all the contrivances we humans come up with in the name of making life easier. In spite of our modern conveniences life is certainly not easier, in many respects it is more complicated and difficult. We have borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. Life is burdened with expectations relating to success—wealth, status, power and luxury—implying that if we but attain a certain level of success happiness and an easy life will be assured.
Let me assure you this has never been true for me. Happiness seems to manifest through participation in the small and ordinary in life— feeling the rain on my face, the wind in my hair, watching the flames from a campfire ascend into the black of night…
Nature points us back to our Source, the true nature of existence. It leads us back to ourselves and the joy inherent in basic living—a modest living that takes only what is necessary, ensuring that there will be enough left to share with others. Our happiness will not be compromised, nor a basic comfort, Thoreau made that clear enough.
One cannot challenge the ideology of a butterfly. The butterfly is doing what it is by nature intended to do. Can the same be said of us? Nature is a good teacher if we will but listen to what she has to say.
