Wellness and Special Places in Nature
In this article I will speak about the wonderful healing
potential of special places. By "special places," I mean those
places in nature or the natural world that are close to our
hearts, and healing to our mind, body and spirit. If you don't
yet have your own special place in nature, I would recommend
that you make this a goal for the near future.
I have a number of special places, and have used them for the
healing of dis-ease, for inspiration, and the gaining of new
insight into a problem, or to have a respite from the activities
of my normal life. They are a refuge of safety, or places where
we are able to re-orient ourselves, to think about and to
determine goals for ourselves, or simply quiet sanctuaries for
meditation.
In our special places we are able to engage the landscape in
dialogue; I mean, to get to know an area quite well. We are able
to see how its mood changes with the weather, the seasons or the
time of day. Over time, we also become acquainted with the
animals and birds that frequent our special place, and may even
get to know their behaviour patterns, and flight paths. For me,
it takes on the aura of an old friend - a place where I can take
my problems, a place which gives both support and intimacy.
It is not my place to tell anyone how they should treat their
dis-ease or to recommend a treatment, nor do I advocate nature
therapy (ecopsychology) practices as a substitute for
professional medical services. However, there are times when we
can empower ourselves to remedy situations on our own, or with
the help of friends, or in conjunction with professional
services. And, too, having special places is a good means of
illness prevention. It is an excellent process, and a free form
of self-help, encouraging us to play a greater role in
maintaining our health and wellness.
Let me conclude this article, with a suggestion: go off into the
natural world and find an area in which you feel relaxed and
comfortable. A place where you feel safe, and are able to
contemplate life in peace. Make this place a refuge in the weeks
and months, ahead. Visit your special place at least once or
twice, weekly. While there, examine the area in detail noting
the bird, animal, and insect life you discover. Begin a journal
of your experiences while in this natural landscape. Have a
brief period of meditation during each visit. As the weeks and
months pass, you will come to realize that your special place
has assumed an important role in your life, and in helping to
define the kind of life you live. You will also notice what a
wonderful role it plays in maintaining your well-being. Having a
special place in nature will help to bring you a more joyous
life.
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Laurie Lacey is the publisher of Natural Healing Talk, a
bi-weekly newsletter that discusses natural healing and
wellness. To subscribe, visit http://www.wildworldofplants.com,
or send an email to subscribe@wildworldofplants.com, with
"subscribe" in the subject line.