Why Keep A Nature Journal
As we dig our heels into spring, I am preparing for food forging and medicine making workshops that will run from May until October, each will be unique and in flow but the one thing that is a constant in any of my outdoor "classroom" spaces is the introduction to and value of keeping a nature journal. Join me every 2nd Saturday at the H.E.R Living Campus in Indianapolis!
When we begin to commune with nature it is important to release our typical day to day way of processing the world around us. This is one of the few occasions where it is completely okay and almost necessary to put your rationality cap to the side.
Nature speaks to us at a level subtle and innate beyond our capacity to know and think it through fully. The essence of beauty and wholeness seems to strike a resonance in our own being- sparking imagination and intuition. The language of the dream world is the language of nature.
Before our need for hard facts and validation we were governed by a more simple way of discerning insight and information. By fully engaging our sensual selves (the art of being present) we were able to connect into a completely different realm of awareness about the world around us. We recognized the spiritual fabric of creation and trusted in ourselves enough to have a relationship with our environments and an understanding of the wisdom and secrets of nature. We called this level of gathering information the "doctrine of signatures". This was a complete and comprehensive way of interfacing with nature based on gathering information and then organizing it based on our gained awareness's and understandings.
Imagination is the ability to see images. Intuition allows us to see and make sense of patterns. At our most simple level of processing (which turns out to be one of our most advanced) we realized the wealth of information to be taken from taking note of a plants characteristics, form, habitat and growing season.
This brings us to the value and importance of a nature journal. The spirit world connects with us through our creativity. Impulsive thoughts serve as downloads of useful insight and inspirations. A quick sketch captures the dominance of key features as you perceive their importance. Noting the environment helps to reimagine the space once you have gone from it to allow you to "feel" into it again.
Keeping your own insights of your experience and what you find interesting will help to strengthen your intuition and ability to "read" into nature at levels that most don't perceive on. Pair this with your study of the "rational" book wisdom to begin to trust in your own ability to make inferences and discern correct information.
How to Start a Nature Journal
There is no formal template on keeping a nature journal. It is a personal record of your experiences out in the wide beauty and variety of nature. It documents our journeys out in immersive forest or our run ins with the "weeds" growing from concrete on our walk to the corner store. No experience is to small.
Maybe this rising, the birds sang louder than usual and invoked in you a beautiful line of thought, this is perfect for your nature journal. Each day create a moment to be still in. Sit quietly outside or at a window or with a beautiful image of a natural environment. Let it speak to you. Each day we should make a habit of finding something new in our natural environment that excites the spirit and study it sensually.
Keeping a record of these intimate experiences with nature facilitates outer world awareness and inner world growth.
When we begin to commune with nature it is important to release our typical day to day way of processing the world around us. This is one of the few occasions where it is completely okay and almost necessary to put your rationality cap to the side.
Nature speaks to us at a level subtle and innate beyond our capacity to know and think it through fully. The essence of beauty and wholeness seems to strike a resonance in our own being- sparking imagination and intuition. The language of the dream world is the language of nature.
Before our need for hard facts and validation we were governed by a more simple way of discerning insight and information. By fully engaging our sensual selves (the art of being present) we were able to connect into a completely different realm of awareness about the world around us. We recognized the spiritual fabric of creation and trusted in ourselves enough to have a relationship with our environments and an understanding of the wisdom and secrets of nature. We called this level of gathering information the "doctrine of signatures". This was a complete and comprehensive way of interfacing with nature based on gathering information and then organizing it based on our gained awareness's and understandings.
Imagination is the ability to see images. Intuition allows us to see and make sense of patterns. At our most simple level of processing (which turns out to be one of our most advanced) we realized the wealth of information to be taken from taking note of a plants characteristics, form, habitat and growing season.
This brings us to the value and importance of a nature journal. The spirit world connects with us through our creativity. Impulsive thoughts serve as downloads of useful insight and inspirations. A quick sketch captures the dominance of key features as you perceive their importance. Noting the environment helps to reimagine the space once you have gone from it to allow you to "feel" into it again.
Keeping your own insights of your experience and what you find interesting will help to strengthen your intuition and ability to "read" into nature at levels that most don't perceive on. Pair this with your study of the "rational" book wisdom to begin to trust in your own ability to make inferences and discern correct information.
How to Start a Nature Journal
There is no formal template on keeping a nature journal. It is a personal record of your experiences out in the wide beauty and variety of nature. It documents our journeys out in immersive forest or our run ins with the "weeds" growing from concrete on our walk to the corner store. No experience is to small.
Maybe this rising, the birds sang louder than usual and invoked in you a beautiful line of thought, this is perfect for your nature journal. Each day create a moment to be still in. Sit quietly outside or at a window or with a beautiful image of a natural environment. Let it speak to you. Each day we should make a habit of finding something new in our natural environment that excites the spirit and study it sensually.
Keeping a record of these intimate experiences with nature facilitates outer world awareness and inner world growth.
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