How do YOU connect with Nature?

[tides2dust]

I spent some time in the rain tonight, it was really nice. I found myself praying to our Mother Earth, God, to be connected by way of elements. The water, the air, the lightning, the sounds of thunder. Everything was an expansive plane with which I desired to integrate and receive.

I have to thank @omcasey for teaching me about negative ions from rainstorms. I have always been drawn to the rain. While meditating, the thought occurred that I might ask AI to draw scientific and mystical meaning behind rain.

I hope you enjoy the answers it shares. Do any of these things call to you? The part about indigenous traditions is exactly what my Soul was yearning for in tonight's prayer. How do you connect with nature? Which element is your favorite?

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/using-scientific-and-mystic-co-ivxhKaQMRGmK6uj_9af7jQ#0

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/using-scientific-and-mystic-co-ivxhKaQMRGmK6uj_9af7jQ#1

[Adrian]

I primarily connect with nature by living for most of my life in and around nature.

That said, I absolutely agree with your observations regarding the ionising effect of rain, especially when lightning is present as well. The ionisation effect can be very clearly felt.  The effect of sound of rain embedded in brainwave entrainment audio also very pronounced

On the extremely relevant subject of connecting with nature - thanks for creating a topic on this Tides- another very important aspect of being connected to nature is Grounding, also known as Earthing. The Earth produces a small and subtle electrical charge which the body naturally needs for optimum health. Grounding is also highly beneficial for metaphysical practices, which is one reason meditating in nature in direct contact with the Earth, is so powerful. Lack of natural grounding can be a major cause of such conditions as inflammation, stress etc. In nature, animals are constantly grounded and remain very healthy as a result. Grounding can only take place by the earth charge entering the body through a natural medium, ideally by direct bodily contact with feet, hands etc, or through organic footwear. Decades ago people wore leather soled shoes and cotton socks which which are organic, and facilitated natural grounding while walking outside. Many indigenous peoples around the world, such as the native Americans, walk either barefoot or with footwear made from natural organic materials. These days however shoes have plastic soles, which is an insulator, and socks made out of synthetic materials. Natural grounding can be accomplished by wearing rubber soled shoes and cotton socks which are both organic materials.  Alternatively, it is valuable to spend time each day/week with bare feet standing on grass, for example local park, or barefoot in sand at the beach, or anywhere in nature. The charge from Mother Earth can very clearly be felt. Grounding is a very direct and natural way of connecting with nature with great natural health benefits, especially sitting in meditation in contact with the Earth with bare feet or legs as many do in the far East. Finally I would like to note the power of crystals, especially quartz, which are a powerful gift of nature.

Rather than writing a long post on the subject of grounding, I found this website which seems very informative:

Understanding The Concept of Grounding, aka Earthing

[Volgerle]

I live next to a forest. I go out of the garden gate and walk 5 metres into a path and am already in the middle of a forest. I will upload a picture to show it.

I also do earthing. I have a grounding mat at my desk.

I also have 'befriended' a tree in the forest and I do earthing by touching it. He/she even has a name. There is a sign on the tree that translates as 'loop trail' or 'circular path'. So I named it after that.

[tides2dust]

That is lovely, trees carry much wisdom. As a city born westerner, I feel a little removed from Nature. But Nature to me is a parent consciousness here to teach us. I love connecting with the rain and the sun. I love connecting with the silent breeze and I too have a tree I grew up with I call my Sufi tree. I hope the tree can feel my love and loves me back. When I was a kid, Mom had many of its limbs removed and I freaked out.  I guess it's a little silly. I've witnessed a portal open up in its trunk and saw a curious creature looking at a reflection of it self.

Lately I am envisioning an array of personalities in subtler realms, where going within doesn't necessarily mean going inside our physical body... but going beneath the outer shell. I am beginning to understand that going within could mean experiencing beyond our physical body...

When it was raining that night... It felt like the rain drops and flash of lightning were able to connect with my internal reality, and the in-between state(the rain) was the medium for communication with consciousness.

I would love to see the picture you have.

There's a bayou next to me and it's our little patch of nature in the city...
I'm trying to upload but it doesn't want to cooperate at the moment. Maybe I can try again later.

[Adrian]

Wonderful post Tides, thanks for sharing.

It highlights the fact that no matter where we live, there are always opportunities to find a personal aspect of nature close by for meditation, grounding and enjoying oneness with Earth and Spirit.

I live next to a forest. I go out of the garden gate and walk 5 metres into a path and am already in the middle of a forest. I will upload a picture to show it.

What a blessing this is, and I would also enjoy seeing a picture

[Volgerle]

Ok, due to multiple requests ... 

Both pics are from 2021 from the bathroom window of my house. THe first one was taken when a deer family walked out of the forest into the parallel path leading uphill. (You see 2 on the photo but they were 5-6 or so).
You can see that the forest entry is directly opposite the garden gate, so I really only walk a few metres and am indeed "deep in the woods" after a few seconds.


March 2021:

June 2021:

[Nameless]

Beautiful thread Tides.I can't help but agree with all of you. Whether rain, earth, sun or water, it is these energies that connect all of our parts. I have always connected with nature through walks in the rain, finding a secluded dry spot to wait out a thunderstorm, running barefoot in the yard, star/sun gazing, playing in the dirt/gardening. You name it, it's all good.

Love the photos Volgerle. Looks like you are living my dream.

There are many inhabitants of this world. We only see a few of them with our eyes. Seek and you will see.

[Adrian]

Ok, due to multiple requests ... 

Both pics are from 2021 from the bathroom window of my house. THe first one was taken when a deer family walked out of the forest into the parallel path leading uphill. (You see 2 on the photo but they were 5-6 or so).
You can see that the forest entry is directly opposite the garden gate, so I really only walk a few metres and am indeed "deep in the woods" after a few seconds.


March 2021:

June 2021:

What a wonderful location Volgerle. Thanks so much for sharing.

Have you considered acquiring a wildlife camera to attach to a tree in the forest so you can automatically photograph the wildlife day and night? I have just purchased one for my property.

[Tak]

Wow, what a great topic, Tides! Thanks for sharing this beautiful experience you had with Mother Nature, that was gorgeous!

This has always been very important in life, I always needed contact with the the earth. From a very young age, I felt drawn to it. I still don't understand why, being someone who admires and needs nature so much to be well, I was born in a city. What will be the challenge of all this?

The first time I knew a forest was when I was 15 because my parents aren't nature people and didn't take me. I was the typical city girl raised in an apartment and strolling through shopping malls. I don't understand why I chose this life, completely opposite to how I always felt, free and connected to something bigger. I feel like I would have loved to be born in a forest cabin and dedicate myself to the family business of making jams and handmade chocolates for tourists LOL.

As a teenager, I suffered from severe depression, which almost took me out of this world, but when I visited the forest or went to the jungle at Iguazu Falls, all that pain went away, and I came back new. I realized the dense energy of the city was easily absorbed by my organism; I'm very sensitive. Now I've learned to control it because I don't like the city, but it doesn't affect me like it used to. Somehow, I feel like I can feel the life force of the plants or the energy of the Earth through my body; it nourishes me. I knew everything Adrian explained, and I confirm it.

The city seems horrible to me, gray, cold, dirty, full of stupid stores, boring, and aesthetically ugly. It's truly sad how humanity lives and what it's accustomed to. I know there must be fantastic cities, but I'm talking about the country I live in. Luckily, I live in a neighborhood surrounded by huge parks where I always take a walk, and I'm very grateful for that.
Also, my city has enormous trees on the streets, something not all cities have. I also admit the city is comfortable and has its benefits, which an isolated place doesn't.

Once I had an "otherwordly vision", so to speak. and I saw a waterfall of golden light bathing a tree; it was like a huge energy rain over the top. At that moment, what I was observing seemed normal to me, until I realized that it was NOT. I still don't know what was that!

I've also had beautiful experiences of connection with nature, where I felt the sun's rays were alive, and I felt the Sun as a living entity emanating pure love. I heard mantras between the ocean waves and merged with the forest for a moment; I was in shock and couldn't speak at that moment. It's not possible to describe that experience now, but it was wonderful.

One of my goals is to live definitely in a natural place; that's why I'm dedicating myself to tourism, so I can move someday.
Nowadays, living in the city, I feel like I connect a lot through the stars and the moon.

One of the things I enjoyed most when I lived in a beach town was going to the beach at night and lying down on the cold sand, contemplating the Milky Way. It was so dark I couldn't see the people next to me, and it seemed like we were all floating in outer space! Looking at that grandeur, add the relaxing sound of the sea. It's unique!!!

I thank that I spent four years traveling to many beautiful places while working.
You have no idea how much I need a visit to the forest now! Somehow, I feel like I'm fulfilling a mission in the gray and hostile city, appeasing those energies, transforming, but I don't know.

Thanks for sharing this, Volgerle, you're infinitely lucky! My dream is to live in a place like that. I also had a friend with deers in the garden that I had the pleasure of seeing.

My biggest dream is to see humanity integrated with nature.

[tides2dust]

Hi Tak
My sweet friend,

What a beautiful experience. I think we're in the city because, even though it has its challenges- those challenges might be why we're here. I am also in a busy city, some days it is disheartening-
But when I read from the Urantia Book and see how Jesus interacted with wise, foolish, ignorant, peaceful, angry, etc. etc...

Even though we are never alone, I don't think you want to be alone in nature. Having people to share with, even when we prefer solidarity, is rewarding.

It doesn't mean we can't have moments of solitude. But to be without others, can be depressing.

For the longest I have been kind of averted by people... But they are also what propel me...  I don't think I can explain at the moment...

But as for nature, today I was looking at the clouds... They were so thin, pastel, stretched across the sky... Beautiful! And I remembered *PLANES as *living intelligence, having personality.

So it is with Nature, a parent consciousness...

Even though our journey starts as "independent" it is the "profound unity" that carries us into the next translation... The next plane or energy body after this incarnation...

(Just a thought) ....

PS... Happy Mothers Day All = )

PPS... Wow, beautiful photos Volgerle

[Adrian]

Tak. Wonderful post - I always enjoy reading your posts - they have so much feeling and energy behind them. You know of course that all create our own "reality", our experience. Keep dreaming and imagining your most perfect place to live, feeling the joy, excitement etc, believe it is true now, and it surely will become true for you.

The truth that we are never very far away from the joys of nature, if we seek it, reminds me of an experience. 40 or so years ago I attended a computer exhibition in a certain city in the USA. I soon realised that the vibration of the place was through the floor and I was glad I was only there for 3 days. Then the opportunity came to take a short plane trip to the Grand Canyon National Park. When I stepped out of the plane it was like arriving in a whole new world of wonder, with snow on the ground, beautiful animals roaming around, and the sheer majestic sight of the Grand Canyon. Later in that trip I flew on to California and visited the Yosemite National Park which was truly wonderful. So the point is, no matter where we are, or under whatever circumstances, we are never far away from the glory of nature, where we can be close to Source, God.

Tides: I think you mentioned that you live in the Houston area. My two stepsons live in the Woodlands area, which has abundant ways to interact with nature, including nature trails, Conroe Lake and much more, so you wouldn't have to far to travel to find nature to interact with and enjoy. But I am sure you already aware of that.

[tides2dust]

Adrian,

Thank you for mentioning- it's something special to see we share an appreciation for Sufi wisdom and here you are not only familiar with where I live but have two stepsons just about an hour drive from me.

This journey has started off as seemingly "independent," but it's one almost all of us go through. And the more we grow with our understanding, by experiential wisdom, the more joy is found in our common bond.

It is true to me that we are all Gods children. And I never felt the impact of that profound reality until lately- as we share our selves with one another. And it seems, there is no greater Joy than the mysteries that reveal themselves to one who discovers their Spiritual/Familial Bond or maybe better said, one-ness with God.

It was not something I considered going into the journey, and now seems to be more important than any wonder-making or psychic ability that may come about as one explores the depths of consciousness.

Also not far from me is Galveston... And just recently I got to visit a friend and share childlike joy with Her. We put ourselves in the water, we beached ourselves-LOL and I poured the wet sand all over my body and swam out into the ocean. She didn't want to go too deep, I kept egging her on just a little more- a little more, and finally I submerged myself in the waters and stared out at the vast horizon and ocean line. Wow... That centered me in ways that inspire the poets! 

I continue to share in sincerity and find my self in shock and awe at how connected we truly are with one another, how small and yet- how grand this world really is. 
 

[Tak]

Thank you very much for your responses! ❤

Tides, you're absolutely right. I lived in nature alone, in a cabin in a beautiful beach town for a long time, and I enjoyed it a lot, but being geographically isolated and adding the pandemic, I spent a lot of time in solitude. I would see friends once a month and only talk to people at the market when shopping. I fell into depression and felt loneliness like never before. I started drinking, smoking, and using some drugs until I collapsed and got sick. At that time, I hadn't had my second "spiritual awakening" yet, and I know it was part of a process, like the final shake to wake up to a new way of seeing life. I had a dream life, and I didn't know what to do with it. I guess that's why I returned to the city, like a kind of reset. Today, I feel very changed and committed to internal work, and I know that if I go back to that life, it would be very different.

I met people who sold everything in the city and moved to beautiful natural places, but they're not happy because happiness comes from within and how connected we are to our true self and purpose and also to that Greater Spirit to which we belong. So, in short, nature is an integral part of us, but without spiritual work, no matter the environment, we won't feel complete or happy.
It's also others who inspire me; I know I have a lot of love to give and share with the world. I want my passage on this Earth not to be in vain, to make this world a slightly better place.

Adrian, thank you for your words! They mean a lot to me. I also enjoy reading your posts, and I have your books in my Virtual Library . Thanks for all the wonderful work you do in this community, which I appreciate so much! Same to all the moderators and participants.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and I understand what you mean. Sometimes, at home, I imagine how small the Earth is compared to the vast universe, not to mention other planes of reality; we're almost nonexistent. I imagine everything surrounded by light, infinite love, and things so wonderful that words can't explain, and in a tiny point lost in that huge sea of light and love, we're "the Earth and its problems..." And my problems become so small also knowing that what's around us is even grander, stronger, and more powerful than everything. Although I can't perceive it directly, I know it because, in the end, it's all a matter of perspective.

Volgerle, if you put cameras on your property, please share the videos of the deer! It's a great idea  .

[Adrian]

Adrian,

Thank you for mentioning- it's something special to see we share an appreciation for Sufi wisdom and here you are not only familiar with where I live but have two stepsons just about an hour drive from me.

This journey has started off as seemingly "independent," but it's one almost all of us go through. And the more we grow with our understanding, by experiential wisdom, the more joy is found in our common bond.

Living in England, we tend to think of everything as "near". I can drive east to west across the country in about 3.5 hours. The state of Texas is five times the size of England. In physical terms, Earth is a tiny speck in the Universe, in Spiritual terms, Earth does not exist at all. No matter where we all are, be it in England, USA, any other country, here on this forum, there is no "distance" or "time", we are One Together Now with Source, God.

Yes, absolutely, Sufi wisdom is most profound, as mystics seek Oneness with God, Source, rising above the ego, to be One with Divine Love. Jesus was also a mystic among other things. This is why they could access Universal truth. In the words of Rumi:

"A pure heart, open to the Light, will be filled with the elixir of Truth." ~ Rumi

It is wonderful how the Universe worked in bringing the profound wisdom of Jesus, Sufi's and many others to humanity words to humanity. Jesus was teaching to a relatively small groups of people in a remote part of the Middle East. If it were not for the fact that the Romans decided to turn him into a religion for their own purposes, Jesus and his teachings would likely never have been known to the world. Same with the Sufi's. In the middle ages the English were sending crusades to the Middle East. They were accompanied by bands of entertainers called "Troubadour's". The Troubadour's came across what they thought was beautiful romantic poetry depicting an earthly romance between humans, so they brought it back to England to entertain people.

No matter what opposing forces conspire to do to distance humanity from the glorious truth of Who we Are, Children, Expressions of God, Source, The Light will always prevail.

[Adrian]

Thank you very much for your responses! ❤

Adrian, thank you for your words! They mean a lot to me. I also enjoy reading your posts, and I have your books in my Virtual Library . Thanks for all the wonderful work you do in this community, which I appreciate so much! Same to all the moderators and participants.

Thanks so much for your kind words. To me though it is never "work", but rather a passion to share and make available the means by which people of like-mind can share knowledge, experiences and friendship. For all the technology, without you wonderful people, and those visiting here, it would be nothing. And again I must thank Xanth for continuing this forum and for all the work he did behind the scenes, helping to keep the forum running notwithstanding the challenges at times. To me, if I have helped even one person to find the Light within, it is all more than worthwhile.

[Kodemaster]

I make nature videos like this one: