“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” ~ Gary Snyder
Nature is relationship. The ancient systems including Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda were established to maximize internal (mind, body, and heart/spirit) and external (family, community) harmony with our environment. Many cultures, and spiritual/religious traditions originated with a similar intent to harmonize with the natural environment (i.e., landscapes, ecosystems, cycles, and frequencies) for survival, social development, and sustainable living/evolution. Science explored the internal, external, and furthest reaches of our environment. Art (also used in ritual and ceremony) was a means of expression and communicating information with each other and our environment, “call and response.”
For thousands of years, many cultures have cultivated a synchronistic relationship with Nature and the natural cycles (i.e., Farmer’s Almanac, seasonal and holiday celebrations, etc.). Schumann waves (7.83 Hz), similar to the human alpha brainwave state (i.e., meditation), are essential to our health and wellbeing. The human body mirrors the planet’s systems, elements, polarity, and electromagnetic fields in synergistic relationship evidenced by the pioneering research of physicist W.O. Schumann. In addition, studies have shown that regular engagement in nature lowers rates of diabetes, heart disease, and psychological disorders. Healthy natural areas (greenspace) also help to reduce mortality and to regulate the spread of vector borne disease.
Community Wellbeing & Quality of Life
Relationship is required for holistic health and wellbeing (i.e., emotional, hormonal, and metabolic balance; epigenetic prevention/mitigation; strong immunity), creativity, and prosperity. Relationship helps us to heal personal, transgenerational, community and historical wounding, pain, and trauma. Our relationships and environment; intimate partnerships; family/loved ones; and our extended family (social, cultural, and economic communities, Earth) allow us to grow, develop, and evolve….to thrive.
Ancient cultures often created space for healing in relationship and community. They understood the holistic nature of emotional pain, wounding, and trauma and created interventions to regularly release experiences that would otherwise impact the health of the person and the community. In healing relationship, we can restore our communities. Our thoughts, behaviors, and social interactions can exemplify the best of humanity.
Our relationships and environment: intimate partnerships; family/loved ones; and our extended family (social, cultural, and economic communities, Earth) allow us to grow, develop, and evolve….to thrive. We can work together more effectively to conserve, restore, and maximize personal and collective resources to preserve the Earth and ensure access, equity, equality, justice, and prosperity for everyone. After thousands of years, the bottom line–Nature/our environment and relationship still hold the key to our survival.
