The Healing Power of Nature

In today's busy, technology-driven world, it's easy to forget about nature, and to forget we're part of it. If we lose touch with nature, however, we distance ourselves from a source of incredible beauty, wonder, and spiritual healing power. Choosing to consciously connect with nature in meaningful ways enables us to activate tremendous spiritual healing potential within ourselves.

There once was a time – not that long ago – when humans lived in close proximity to nature. Nature was the great provider, giving us food, medicine, materials for shelter and comfort – essentially, everything we needed to survive. Our relationship with nature was sacred, and we lived in harmony with its cycles and rhythms. The closeness of this relationship was doubtless spiritually fulfilling in a deeply meaningful way.

In the modern world, however, we have modern "conveniences," computer technology, motor vehicles, packaged food, and an endless stream of "news" and entertainment. Yet many people are unhappy, sick, and suffering. Although it's not a panacea, I think that reconnecting with nature can help. Anyone who has seen a dandelion blooming happily in a crack in the sidewalk knows that nature is astonishingly resilient. Paying attention to the natural world can help us remember our own ability to regenerate, and even to thrive, in difficult circumstances.

Reconnecting with nature doesn't have to take a lot of time, energy, or money. A weekend camping in the wilderness is great if you have the resources, but it's more important to choose ways to integrate nature into one's daily life. Eat lunch outside at a local park instead of at home; take ten minutes to walk down the street and notice the trees; stand at the window with a cup of tea and just watch the rain – nothing else. We don't really need to go anywhere, or do anything different – we just need to choose to notice what's already there. Do you have a favourite tree? What kind of birds are in your neighbourhood at this time of year?

Nature is sentient, intelligent, feeling, and spiritual. It knows that even now, in our technological age, in spite of all our distractions, and in spite of the distance we create, we are still part of it. Remembering our connection to the natural world can help us tap into its spiritual healing power.

Robbie - July 15, 2022