Nature Experience: a Discovery of Self Through Silence
Rebecca Wilson
Ecopsychology
Professor Mary Gomes
December 9, 2011
Nature Experience Paper
Nature Experience: A Discovery of Self through Silence
Silence is the sustenance of life. It is that luxurious space of textured absence that invariably connects all things. It is what philosopher William Penn calls “the true rest of the mind”, but from that “rest” has come some of the greatest universal truths and deepest wisdom ever known to man. The seers, the saints, the shamans and sages have all been sustained through nature’s silence; it’s presence being their greatest companion, their divine nourishment and perfect refreshment. In this essay, I will be reflecting on my own experience of going to nature and meditating in silence. For seven days I engaged in a practice of visiting one spot, letting go, and just being open to whatever transpired. It was an exercise I took on with a tenacious vigor, and although it was by no means “easy”, this experience taught me how to systematically divest from my immediate social reality, tune into the natural world, and just be present to the voice within. During this exercise, there were times when I felt I could remain silent and connected to nature forever; other times it took every bit of my energy to refrain from plugging in and joining the social world. All things considered, I walked away from each “nature pause” with a renewed sense of groundedness, clarity, connection, and insight.
Seven Days of Nature: Stop, Sit, and Be
As per instruction, for the week of November 28th to December 4th, I chose one spot to visit for thirty minutes each day. The spot I selected is on the campus of Sonoma State University, located directly across from the gymnasium, on the outer edges of the native plant garden. My spot was completely surrounded by redwood trees and was at the top of a small, sloped hill. It felt relatively private and consisted of four wooden benches arranged in a circle. During the middle of the
Ecopsychology
Professor Mary Gomes
December 9, 2011
Nature Experience Paper
Nature Experience: A Discovery of Self through Silence
Silence is the sustenance of life. It is that luxurious space of textured absence that invariably connects all things. It is what philosopher William Penn calls “the true rest of the mind”, but from that “rest” has come some of the greatest universal truths and deepest wisdom ever known to man. The seers, the saints, the shamans and sages have all been sustained through nature’s silence; it’s presence being their greatest companion, their divine nourishment and perfect refreshment. In this essay, I will be reflecting on my own experience of going to nature and meditating in silence. For seven days I engaged in a practice of visiting one spot, letting go, and just being open to whatever transpired. It was an exercise I took on with a tenacious vigor, and although it was by no means “easy”, this experience taught me how to systematically divest from my immediate social reality, tune into the natural world, and just be present to the voice within. During this exercise, there were times when I felt I could remain silent and connected to nature forever; other times it took every bit of my energy to refrain from plugging in and joining the social world. All things considered, I walked away from each “nature pause” with a renewed sense of groundedness, clarity, connection, and insight.
Seven Days of Nature: Stop, Sit, and Be
As per instruction, for the week of November 28th to December 4th, I chose one spot to visit for thirty minutes each day. The spot I selected is on the campus of Sonoma State University, located directly across from the gymnasium, on the outer edges of the native plant garden. My spot was completely surrounded by redwood trees and was at the top of a small, sloped hill. It felt relatively private and consisted of four wooden benches arranged in a circle. During the middle of the
Cited: Gray, L. (1995). Shamanic counseling and Ecopsychology. In T. Roszack, M. Gomes & A. Kanner (Eds.), Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth Healing the Mind San Fransisco: Sierra Club Books. Macy, J. (1995). Working Through Enviromental Despair. In T. Roszack, M. Gomes & A. Kanner (Eds.), Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth Healing the Mind San Fransisco: Sierra Club Books. Sheppard, P. (1995). On Nature and Madness. In T. Roszack, M. Gomes & A. Kanner (Eds.), Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth Healing the Mind San Fransisco: Sierra Club Books. From selected course reader Margolin, M. Indian Pedagogy: A Look at Traditional California Indian Teaching Techniques.