Clear Your Head

Nature's Cure

“As beginning meditators, we may want to leave the city and go off to the countryside to help close those windows that trouble our spirit. There we can become one with the quiet forest, and rediscover and restore ourselves, without being swept away by the chaos of the 'outside world.'”
Thich Nhat Hanh (Peace Is Every Step, p. 13-14)

Good morning from Lake Martin. Even though I am not a meditator, I need occasional trips into the woods, along the waters of Mother Nature to refresh and restore my spirit. I am not a big-city person at heart, though I do love the convenience of living close to everything cities have to offer. Over time, the razzle-dazzle energy of city-life fractures my nervous system, and drives me to seek sanctuary in the piney-woods. In the company of friends, with the chatter of crows outside, and the rat-a-tat of a redheaded woodpecker pounding out a love song on the metal roof, I am restored.

Introverted people need this retreat more than extroverts, who seem to thrive on noise and activity. Introverts have a harder time shutting out the constant movement of the city. Here, with only natural sounds, and the tranquilizing effect of ripples on water, the body calms, the mind clears, and we can hear ourselves think.

I wonder how you refresh your spirit. Most of us, especially Americans, tend to ignore our need to recharge our batteries, which can result in burn-out and depression. As the activity level increases, and we are exposed to more and more noise, our anxiety level goes up and we become fractious and out of sorts. Many of us don't recognize this as a “need” (as opposed to a desire) for quiet and solitude. We believe we must “push through,” and keep going. This pushing-through is inherently violent. It violates our nervous system, keeps our cortisol (stress hormone) level high, and causes all manner of difficulties in our relationships. In fact, it may underpin much of the violence in our society.

Today, be kind to yourself. Get out in nature, whether it's a park, a forest, or a shoreline. Let the music of birds close the windows that trouble your spirit.

In the Spirit,
Jane