I have a special relationship with the nature spirits at Steinke Basin. I walk there as often as I can, especially when I’m dealing with something uncomfortable or heavy. Nature has the power to soothe and heal. It helps us remember who we are.
Recently I experienced a bout of anxiety, and I took myself out for a hike. I walked very slowly, exhaling my anxiety to Mother Earth to calm my runaway thoughts and the pounding of my heart. Nature helped me remember the peaceful part of myself and reminded me I was safe.
Earlier this summer, I tapped into an overwhelming amount of grief, and I took myself out for a hike. The nature spirits held space for me to recognize my sadness and bring it up for healing. They helped me be present with my pain.
When I feel ungrounded, I’ll go to nature. At the beginning of the hike, I call to Mother Earth and ask her to ground me. As I begin walking, I feel the stability underneath my feet. I’ll pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around me which helps me connect more deeply. By the end of the experience, I’ll be fully back in my body feeling the support of Mother Earth.
At other times, being in nature is pure joy. Standing at the top of the bluffs fills me with awe and wonder, and I recognize my place in the grand order of things – that I am a part of the matrix of life, connected to all other beings and the divine. It’s the backbone of my spiritual practice.
Creative ideas often come to me on my walks. Sometimes without trying, I’ll receive a piece of intuition to guide an upcoming personal healing session. When we’re in nature, we are more relaxed and energetically open to inspiration.
There’s a saying, “If you don’t have time to meditate for ten minutes, then do it for an hour.” I feel the same way about being in nature. The balm of the natural world guides us to slow down and remember what’s important.
This work is real, and it matters.
September 28, 2021