Looking to Nature for answers & reconnecting

Each month we write a couple of articles inspired by one of our ReWild Yourself Champions. This month, following our interview with Guide and Author, Laurie King (check it out here), we were deeply intrigued by what answers we might find about ourselves when out in Nature and having ‘solo’ moments outside.

Laurie guides groups of people through these moments of Nature connection and helps bring in clarity.

“Someone goes out with a question or an intention into, for instance, the woods… and spends some hours there and then comes back. […] As a guide my practice is to listen to their story, and show them the wisdom in it.”

– Laurie 

That got us thinking, what are some ways we can pay attention to the wisdom Nature has to offer in our everyday lives? How might connecting more to it help us in our busy daily schedules?

Humans and Nature’s teachings

Previous civilizations all tuned into Nature, slowed down to listen to what it had to say, show, and teach. From star gazing and knowing all the constellations, to foraging and knowing exactly what flower or herb was needed for a particular ailment, we used to value and prioritise Nature knowledge above almost anything else.

Then technology and humans ‘progressed’, whilst our kinship with Nature stagnated or, some might even say, moved backwards. Sure, it has made life easier and more comfortable in numerous ways, but it has also brought a severance of our connection with Nature inside and outside of ourselves. 

We are Nature, Nature is us. 

Our loss of connection with the outside world has also meant a disconnection from ourselves. 

Rochelle Finzel, writer and leadership coach, states in her article about finding answers in Nature,

“Nature is not just a place or destination, but a wise guide offering life lessons through each simple and grandiose feature. I believe nature is as powerful as any self-help book or life coach.” 

This becomes even more interesting when we take a look at insight learning. This is a type of learning that is hard to predict, as it’s created via spontaneous connections your brain makes when given the right set of circumstances. It’s said that these ‘right circumstances’ often take place in Nature. According to the Healing Forest organisation, insights are easily created when there’s awe, wonder and curiosity. And what is Nature but a place full of this? Holding many mysteries, unexpected beauty and magical creatures, Nature is the perfect environment for insights to come about.

Get reconnected

Our first tip from Laurie: find a spot near your house that you love and want to be in everyday. Learn how the landscape changes with the seasons. A second tip is that you can also go to that spot with a particular question or intention, and see what answers or feelings come up for you. 

Sometimes, this might lead you to take a longer walk, look for a new spot, or simply sit back and do some cloud gazing. Whatever makes you feel more connected to your surroundings and comfortable could help bring clarity in what you’re pondering on or feeling.

Diving deeper…

Do you have a particularly challenging question or complex topic? Check out when Laurie’s next retreat is and join her!