ENVIRONMENT:
Eco Versus Ego
Desert, coastal, alpine, plains, wilderness, urban, rural; all describe environment. Each of these environments presents the need for different levels of connection and skill sets for adaptability and occupation. The environment becomes the teacher. The ecological and environmental challenge is to find new ways to connect to these natural worlds through old tried and true methods. One the most simple and for many the most challenging is sitting, soaking in our environments, listening, and observing. Tapping into the stillness helps us with all the next steps. Like mastering drawing makes us a better painter, sitting helps to mold us into better teachers and students.
The natural world is in constant communication and movement. It is said that one is to never whisper a secret to an Alder Tree, for within a few short minutes the entire forest will know the secret. Sending voice through its intertwined and connected roots is a quick and simple communication to all. It is also said that if Raven overhears the secret, all of the world will know. Story telling is another old way in which life's lessons and gentle teachings find their way into the ears of students of all ages.
Why is that mushroom growing there? What are the best materials for making a bow? Where do I look for dry things to start a fire in a rainstorm? Yes the answers are in the books, and..... the real truth lies in the doing, the finding, the searching, and the connection. The desert, the forest, the backyard become the best teachers for both knowledge of the ego-self and knowledge of the scholar-self. When faced with the elements of nature we learn to work with it and find our way more easily by listening and patience instead of through fear of our environments and fighting them.
