"In order to find true joy," a wise sage once said, "it's important to remember what gave you joy in your childhood." My early years were spent picking wildflowers, climbing trees, making forts and playing in the open fields and forest surrounding my neighborhood. I've always had a very deep connection with nature and was actually quite surprised to discover that other people did not. Looking into the face of a newly opened flower, listening to the musical babble of a cold mountain spring, coordinating your breathing with the rhythm of the tides can all be quite captivating.

Over the years I've expanded my appreciation of nature to include its ability to heal, calm and soothe the human psyche. In fact, the way I keep my sanity in this ever-challenging world is to walk or sit silently among some wise old growth trees or stick my feet into an icy cold mountain stream. Ahhhh, nothing better to uplift one's mind, body and spirit!

When was the last time you noticed how great the sun feels on a cool autumn morning? And what of the warm, gentle breeze blowing through your hair, caressing exposed skin or invigorating you in its more aggressive form? How does it feel to walk barefoot in your garden, at the beach or across a newly mown lawn? Noticing these delightful sensations is the first step to understanding the healing power of nature.

Connecting to nature on an even deeper level can be done in a myriad of ways. Here are a few exercises or journeys that may help you tap into Earth's healing powers while you're relaxing in a beautiful, quiet spot in nature. Your physical and extra sensory perceptions can be soothed or stimulated by this pursuit, depending on your intention, focus and needs or desires at the moment. Trust these senses. Put your analytical mind to rest for a while. Relax, surrender and become receptive.

1. Lie flat on the ground, arms and legs uncrossed and breathe deeply. Imagine yourself becoming the soil upon which you lie as you gently sink into the loving presence of the Earth Mother. This can be seen as a Shamanic Journey where you are guided by some unseen force or spirit. Or it can be a simple act of relaxation and stress release. Allow yourself to receive whatever gifts or experiences the Earth has to share with you, staying until you feel you're complete. Give thanks for your experience and ask the Earth Mother what you can do to support her at this time.
   
   
2. Try the above exercise lying on a large, flat rock and see what happens when you enter the rock's body. Very interesting!
   
   
3. Sit or lie next to a rushing stream or river. Position your head either up or downstream - whichever feels right to you at that moment. Allow the rushing energy of the water to wash all your cares downstream, as you breathe in its relaxing, revitalizing energy.
   
   
4. Sit or lie down in the sunlight and imagine the rays of the sun warming not only the outside of you, but also the inside of each individual cell in your body. Allow Sun's rays to enliven and awaken your vital essence - catalyzing new growth from the inside out.
   
   
5. Wind, or even the still air itself can be very cleansing, soothing, supportive and stimulating as you quiet yourself and open to its healing powers. From the subtle breeze to the raging wind - it can be very transformative.
   
   
6. Hug a tree (No, really!). Make sure your forehead and belly are touching the tree as you spread your arms around its trunk. Old growth trees are my favorite. I always feel more grounded, relaxed, strong and supported after hugging these wondrous giants, knowing that they are connected both to the Earth and the Heavens.
   
   
7. Native American wisdom tells us to "become" the tree, rock, river, sun, flower and so forth. Notice which object is "calling to you" or wanting your attention. All things created by Great Spirit have sentience or consciousness, including Mother Earth herself. Sit next to that object and say, "Hello," to it in your mind. Imagine growing roots, limbs, bark, leaves, etc. Send it your love and become receptive to its love, wisdom, healing, harmony and peacefulness. You may even receive messages or visions.

Now, of course, if one sees trees as mere board feet, their sentience may be the last thing on one's mind. Or perhaps you're so upset you can't see or feel anything but your own pain or anger. Even if the trees choose to show their sentience to you, your attention will be focused on their monetary value or your own pain, not allowing their uplifting spiritual and emotional gifts to come into your consciousness. This illustrates how your intention and your focus are key ingredients for any significant healing to occur.

Over the last 15 years, by sitting with nature and "becoming it," I';ve been given many poems and stories from the nature spirits. Rocks tell me they are "the record keepers," absorbing the history in their locale, "waiting to share it with those who can hear." Trees, with their many rings, are "the timekeepers." Water is "the lifeblood of the planet." Flowers are "a spot of color to delight the human mind!"

Rocks were the first ones to speak to me many years ago as I laid flat on my back, next to the Sacramento River in Dunsmuir. I wanted to release some of the pent up anger I felt inside me for no apparent reason and drain that anger into the Earth where it would be transmuted back into positive energy. As I was breathing deeply and quieting myself on that warm summer day, I began to hear words in my head...words that turned into poetry as I listened more intently.

Time immemorial runs through our veins.
We see...we see.
Ask us for that which you seek.
We see...we see.

As those words continued to run through my head, I realized they were coming from the rocks around me. I laughed out loud and immediately sat up to write their sweet wisdom down. They told me about the men who built the huge bridge over my head - how inconsiderate they were by not taking time to consult with the local rocks, trees and river to find the ideal place for building such a massive structure

This is a great example of how the nature spirits truly wish to work with us as we're building our structures upon the Earth - whether highways, houses, skyscrapers or gardens. They have much wisdom to share and long to improve their relationship with humans. For instance, at Findhorn in Scotland, they grew huge, healthy vegetables and flowers in previously barren, sandy soil by working daily with the suggestions of the nature spirits. A delightful story, indeed!

I love nature so much, that I've even built a business around its beauty. Shasta Vortex Adventures allows me to do what I love most - walk in the woods and show others how to heal themselves with nature. I invite you to join us, any season of the year or to simply treat yourself to an experience of not only nature's beauty, but also it's majestic, ever-present healing energy.

---