How Nature Nourishes

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In this time of giving thanks, I want to acknowledge how nature sustains us.

Without the natural world, we could not exist.

Nature sustains us physically by gifting us food and medicine (plants and animals), heating sources, the air that we breathe, the clothing that we wear, the shelters that we live and work in. Without the natural world we could not survive.

Nature nourishes us emotionally by inspiring us to feel gratitude, joy, and connectivity. Forest bathing has become a well known form of healing these days in large part because being outside in natural settings lifts our spirits. The fact that this has become a healing modality speaks to the distance most people have created between themselves and nature. 

Nature enriches us spiritually. Many of us feel closest to an energy greater than us (Spirit, Universe, God[dess], Divinity) when we are in nature. The beauty is awe inspiring and our senses come alive in new ways by connecting with the elements.

Understanding this support from nature is the basis of Ayurveda. Living in alignment with what is happening in the natural world leads to the most vibrant health and wellbeing.

The practices of watching, listening, feeling, smelling and maybe even at times tasting what is around you will bring you into a deep peace and awake presence. From there you will be able to make empowering choices for your own life, and see a positive impact in the world around you.

I hope you have been able to spend some time outside over this Thanksgiving weekend. What have you noticed, recently, when you were in nature? What plants, places, and smells have touched you most this early winter? How is nature sustaining you, nourishing you, and enriching you right now?

Give thanks for all of it. Smile and bow in reverence. May we always see the ways we are interconnected with nature. The health of the planet determines our personal health. 

If you are curious about deeper alignment with nature and yourself this winter, I'd love to have you join me for these online events.